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“Maybe she’s pissed at you for something,” Connor replies with a chuckle. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

My molars meet, and like a flashback to college, I fight back the urge to push for more details on why Kendra is ghosting him. To be honest, I fight back the urge to ask why the fuck she’s still dating him at all.

Tyler winces, but not in a way that indicates regret—nah, his face is too smug for that. “I had to bail on our plans last night. You know, with the early start Jon landed on us at the last minute.”

I grind my teeth harder.

“Shit, man. Yeah, chicks don’t like being stood up.” Connor’s brows shoot up as he leans back and takes a beer from Archer, who is handing them around to the group.

“Yep,” Tyler replies, setting his phone down, still staring at the screen. “Especially on our fourth anniversary.”

As soon as I take my pint from Archer, I instantly bring it to my lips—anything to stop me from kicking Tyler under the table.

He’s a prick.

“But you were here last night,” Archer says, taking the seat next to me.

Don’t punch him in the face, Jack.

“You know, my dad did that kind of shit to my mum. Didn’twork out well for him in the end,” I burst out, unable to stop myself. “She’s now married to a former NHL star and rarely gives him a second thought.”

Tyler’s head darts up, his eyes narrow. Clearly, he was so engrossed in trying to contact Kendra—for fucking once—that he genuinely didn’t notice me take a seat.

I nod at his phone, which shows zero notifications. “Maybe Kendra’s had the same thought. You know, that she could do better.”

Archer clears his throat from beside me as I watch the column of Tyler’s throat work to swallow his anger.

I know all too well that I shouldn’t give a fuck about someone else’s relationship, and ordinarily, I don’t. But I’ve spent way too long watching this fucker mess things up with a girl I’d give my left nut to date. I wasn’t all that bothered with girls in college, too busy with trying to work on my game and get the grades I needed to catch up with all the other guys who had been playing since they could walk. But I watched my mum put herself second when she had more talent in her little finger than my dad possessed in his entire body, and this situation right here stinks of the same.

Tyler keeps his eyes on me as he sits back in the booth, running his tongue across his bottom lip. “Yeah, well, I’ll make it up to her tonight. She likes to be on top.”

A couple of the guys sitting around laugh but quickly fall silent, their eyes shooting over my shoulder.

“You can tell her that now, Ty.” Sawyer chuckles as he motions over his shoulder, multiple eyes following because …

Goddamn.

I’ve seen her pictured with Tyler a few times, but mainly from photos of her playing for the New York Storm. Though nothing—absolutely nothing—could’ve prepared me for the way she looks tonight.

With her blonde hair curled around her shoulders, she andanother dark-haired friend, who I recognize as the goalie on her team, come to stand at the foot of our table.

I pick up my beer, trying to concentrate on the glass rather than the low-cut black dress she’s wearing or the black leather boots that stop just below her knees. Her toned thighs look incredible as she leans forward and drums her green fingernails on the table.

“Kend,” Tyler chokes out, pointing to his phone. “We were just talking about you. I’ve been messaging you all night.”

Since I’m back to staring at her like a fucking loser, I notice the way her attention briefly snags on me before she focuses back on her dickhead boyfriend.

“Yeah, I know. I just didn’t feel like replying. Thought I’d just show up, see what you’re up to in your favorite place.” She looks around the bar area.

Archer shifts uncomfortably, his body language reflecting how the rest of us feel.

She’s pissed.

Tyler might try to hide it, but the guilt across his face is unmistakable. He tips his chin at Connor. “Move over will you so my girl can sit down?”

CHAPTER FOUR

KENDRA