Page 73 of Puck Love

“I know he’s going to break your heart. Just this morning, three girls talked to the press about Van Ross, and his teammates.”

“What?”

“Stella, I don’t know what kind of lines he’s been feeding you, but he’s tarred with the same brush as all pro-athletes, and he’s suicide for yourcareer.”

“Why? Because a handful of hockey hookers talked to the press? What did theysay?”

“It doesn’tmatter.”

“What did theysay?”

“That Van’s type is sweet and innocent, until it’snot.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning he eats little girls like you for breakfast, chews them up, and spits them out before moving onto the next body who’ll warm his bed.” I reel back as if I’ve just been slapped. Lana sets her wine down with a sigh. “The point is, you’re only going to get hurt in the long run. It’s better that you let the world think that Van Ross was a mistake, one you have no intention of repeating. You have much bigger things to focus on. Throw yourself into gaining back the trust of every fan you let down when you walked away from that arena. Focus on the people who loveyou.”

Ouch. That stings like a bitch. Is Lana right? Was I just another conquest to Van? I don’t want to believe that, but maybe I don’t really know him at all. Either way, he made it clear he doesn’t want to see me by forcing me to leave with Logan. Player or not, Lana is right. I need to forget I ever met VanRoss.