Page 105 of Ruled Out

“Can you, like, not do that?” Jack, Felicity’s only son, takes the last seat available opposite them. Pulling off his beanie, he runs a hand through his floppy brown hair.

Jon looks back at his stepson, clearly enjoying winding him up. “Do what? Make out with your mom?”

“It’s possible to change your mind about someone—you know that,” he replies, his English accent still noticeable despite him living in the States for several years.

“We all did that years ago, buddy.” Zach chuckles, bringing his beer to his lips.

Jon throws him a face and then turns to Felicity. “You want a drink, Angel?”

“I just got them. Cocktails for everyone, soda for you.” She smiles at Jack, who rolls his eyes in response.

“You know I’m twenty-one now, right?”

Felicity ignores him and then looks at me. “I ordered you a beer, Jessie.”

Mia’s eyes find mine as I sit up straighter in the booth and look down at my empty soda glass.

“He’s still on an alcohol ban as he pushes for Gretzky’s record,” Mia chimes in.

Felicity winces. “Shit, yeah. Sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’ll take the spare beer.” Jack smiles at his mom.

From under the table, I squeeze Mia’s thigh in appreciation. At some point, I probably need to share with my friends the battle I’ve been through with alcohol. If I owe my honesty to anyone, it’s to Jensen—the guy who’s always looked out for me and had my back. The thing is, the second I unload my secrets, the more questions will come my way.

Right now, the only person I want to see me fully is sitting tucked under my arm.

From her position next to me, Mia suddenly stiffens, and I watch the way Tara does the same.

I lean down to whisper in her ear, “What is it?”

Leo, Tara mouths at me and then points across to the other seating area.

You have got to be kidding me.

Turning over my shoulder, I watch as Leo and his usual friend take a seat in a booth on the opposite side, a couple up from us. From his position, he can watch everything we’re doing, but I have my back to him. And I don’t like it.

“Ow. Fuck, man,” I say to Jensen as he kicks me under the table.

He nods his head behind me. “That the prick who ratted you out to Jenkins?”

I roll my eyes and take a sip of my fresh soda after Jon passed it over to me. “Yep.”

Jensen’s brows rise slightly as he leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. “He’s got some balls to show up here—I’ll give him that.”

“Ugh, he’s a right prick,” Jack says, clearly having picked up on who we’re referring to. He nods his head in Leo’s direction, and Jon turns over his shoulder to look. “Don’t look, Jon! For fuck’s sake, we’re trying to be inconspicuous here.” Jack rolls his eyes and picks up his beer.

Zach points to Jack. “I don’t know where you’re headed next year since your coach won’t tell us shit, but you can come and play for us. Your banter game is solid.” Reaching down the booth, he fist-bumps Jack.

“Oh, yeah,” Jon says, ignoring them both completely. “Complete prick. You know those guys who have next to zero talent, but make up for it by being an agitator on the ice?”

Jensen smiles at Jon. “Yep.”

“Well, that’s Walsh.” Jon tips his head behind him.

“Well, as I’ve always said to my husband, takes one to know one,” Felicity sings, winking at Jon.

Jon drops his head between his shoulders, laughing along with everyone else. “Yeah, gotta admit, I walked straight into that one, didn’t I?”