Page 10

PRESTON

M y chest ached with worry at the expression on Jordan’s face. Her large blue eyes were wider than normal, her mouth set in a hard line, and her posture stiff. It took a second for her words to settle. Your parents are here.

I blinked away the urge to shove everyone out of the way and carry her out of here and sighed. My mom and dad being here was less serious than Jordan being hurt, but the relief was short-lived. “Where are they?”

She pointed over her right shoulder. “Your mom is there, and your dad is on the other side. I didn’t—do you want to avoid them? I’ll help you escape if you want.”

“They’ve been wanting to talk to me.” I ground my teeth together, annoyance flaring.

We lost the fucking championship, and the last thing I wanted to do was hang out with my parents.

They’d ask about the draft, about playing better for a real chance at the NHL.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do, damnit!

Hell, I didn’t want to see Jordan either. My head was a mess over her and what we’d done.

I wanted to suffer in silence and pout .

“I’ll do whatever you need, Preston. Hey, look at me.

” She cupped my face, her warm hands sliding along my jaw.

She guided my face toward hers, her eyes brimming with some emotion.

My gaze flicked to her lips, how the bottom one was wet.

I wanted to taste her. Her offer from earlier remained at the forefront of my mind, and I still had no idea what to fucking do. I couldn’t decide right now.

“You played amazing. Seriously. You had the game of a lifetime, and I know that doesn’t matter when you lost, but you should be proud. You left it all on the ice, and that’s all you can do, okay?” Her voice was husky, deeper than normal, like she wanted me to really hear her.

I nodded, hating the way my chest tightened again. The loss was hard. Brady would wear this for a while, and I hated that for him. Jordan stared at me expectantly. What did she want me to say? “Thanks, J.”

“Preston, son, come here.”

I stiffened as my dad neared us, his arms open and an understanding look on his face.

It was instinct to fall into his familiar hug.

He squeezed me tight, his comforting smell of home a temporary relief.

My dad had always been the best at helping me through losses.

His wise and calm demeanor combined with his analytic mind would help me rationalize the loss.

I hadn’t spoken to him much this season, and I could feel the gap.

Whenever we did talk, he pushed for what was next, and I wasn’t ready for that convo. I wanted to avoid all of it.

“That was a tough one. It’s gonna be a minute before you recover, and that’s okay.” He hit my back twice before letting go. “Hey, Jordan, good to see you. It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, you too,” Jordan said, her voice not hiding her irritation. “Not sure if you both?—”

“Preston, give me a hug.” His mom joined the conversation, and it was like all of us were doused with ice. “I want to hug my son.”

It was autopilot, but I hugged my mom quickly and was then wishing the floor would turn into quicksand and swallow me up. The tension around the four of us was so thick and awkward my face heated.

Someone might ask if I was on my dad’s side, and I’d say I wasn’t sure.

I was always closer with my dad through sports, but that comfort didn’t sway my anger at them or confusion.

My mom was selfless and kind, so to see her bitter meant something happened.

They said they were splitting amicably, but there was no way.

They yelled at each other, used my brother and I in their arguments, and basically broke up our family.

“That was a tough loss. Their offense was relentless, and your defense held well. It really does come down to one lucky shot sometimes.” My mom patted my arm. “I hoped this would be a celebratory offer, but can we take you out for dinner? Both of you?”

“What if we did a breakfast instead?” Jordan asked, her gaze on me. “I’m sure you both know Preston doesn’t handle losses well, and he might want to have tonight to himself.”

“It’s better to do that with people who care about you than isolate. Plus, we won’t be in town in the morning. Your father made an appointment back home with our lawyer way too early, so we have to head back at the crack of dawn. Right, Steve?”

“It was the only time available, and you demanded this be resolved as quickly as possible, Julie.”

Fuck me, this was the worst. My jaw twitched.

I wanted them to get along like they used to.

They used to laugh all the time, and I grew up wanting the same thing, but now they were splitting…

maybe Jordan’s mindset was right. Fuck having a real relationship.

“Fine, let’s just do dinner.” I ran a hand over my face, pr essing into my eyelids until lights danced around him. “Where should we go?”

“Your mother has a strict diet, so she should pick.”

“It’s not strict, Steve. I don’t eat gluten, that’s it. Most places can deal with it. Stop acting like I’m high-maintenance.”

My dad raised his hands in the air, smirking at me like we were in on an inside joke. We absolutely were not. My skin prickled with how much I hated this. My mom got sick if she ate food with gluten, and we all knew this. Why was he being a prick?

This was exactly why I’d avoided them the last few weeks. I didn’t want to deal with this. I had my own, shit and theirs kept spilling out.

“Guys, please,” I croaked out, sending a silent thanks to Jordan when she looped her arm in mine and grabbed my hand. “I don’t want to go to dinner if you bicker.”

“We’re not bickering, Preston. We’re behaving, trust me,” my mom said, her cheeks pinkening.

“No, you both are arguing, and it’s honestly super uncomfortable.

Do you see your son? He’d literally rather be anywhere else right now, and he just had arguably one of the biggest losses of his career.

Instead of dealing with that, he has to listen to this.

” Jordan’s voice held the dangerous edge to it.

I’d heard her use that tone when she defended those she cared about.

Mainly Logan but to hear her use it on my behalf caused my heart to do stupid things.

I expected my parents to yell at her or bark back.

They weren’t docile, polite people. They’d argue with referees, yell at coaches, and flip off if someone cut them off driving.

If they said a thing to her, I’d cut them off in a second.

I tensed, waiting for their reaction. Jordan’s grip on me tightened, almost like she was afraid she went too far.

Then my dad sighed. “Shit, you’re right Jordan. I’m sorry. We shouldn’t bring our shit to this. It’s about Preston. Bud, if you want to do dinner another night, we can. I just hate knowing you’re in your head, and I know you won’t say it, but this divorce is not your fault it all.”

“Your dad is right. I’m also sorry for bringing our drama to you.

We need to be better about it. Thank you, Jordan.

You’re such a good friend.” My mom smiled at her, a genuine, real smile that I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“It’s up to you, Preston. If you want to grab dinner, then great.

If not, it was still incredible watching you play. ”

Guilt grabbed me by the throat. They drove hours to watch me play.

How could I turn them down when they did so much for me?

I didn’t want to see through dinner and small talk, but saying no wasn’t an option.

I’d disappoint them, and that wasn’t something I ever wanted to do.

My brother, Price, would do whatever the hell he wanted, tell them to fuck off, but I couldn’t do that.

I was more of a pushover with those I loved.

“Sure, yeah, let’s grab some food. I’d love a steak. ”

“Great! Yes!” My mom grabbed her phone. “I can find a place nearby. Oh, there is a steakhouse a mile away. I parked outside and would be happy to drive you both.”

“We’d love that, thank you.” Jordan tugged my arm, and we neared my mom. “Do you mind getting the car ready, and we’ll meet you in a minute?”

“Of course, yes.” My mom met my eyes, guilt swirling around her eyes just like mine. “Take your time, honey.” Then my mom patted my arm, then Jordan’s shoulder, before disappearing down the ramp.

“See you there, son.” My dad left too, leaving Jordan and I standing arm to arm in the stadium hallway. The moment of peace was desperately needed, and I lowered my head, resting it on Jordan’s shoulder. I breathed her in, the floral and almost spicy perfume comforting me .

“Fuck, that was tough.” She wrapped her arm around my broad shoulders, not quite about to hug me completely. “I’m sorry, Charming. I wish you told me more about them before so I’d know how to help you.”

“No, you were perfect.” I remained there, my body bending to rest on hers for another few seconds.

Then I stood and placed my hands on her shoulders.

“Thank you. I clam up around them and am wracked with guilt for getting mad at them. My mind goes into this weird useless mode where I freeze, unable to do a thing. You said exactly what I needed, so thank you.”

“Of course. It’s what anyone would say. They were being obnoxious.”

“No, not anyone. Just you.” My lips curved into a smile. “You’re so fearless sometimes. I wish I could be more like you.”

“Knock it off.” She rolled her eyes, but a little blush covered her cheeks. “No need lay it on so thick, Charming. I’ll still come to dinner with you.”

“Oh, you’re joining. I’d honestly kidnap you if you tried leaving me with them.”

“You’d never catch me, big guy. But good try at threatening me.”