Page 94 of Clear Shot

“Hana and I broke up.” I might as well get it over with. There’s no way to pretend we’re still together.

“Oh, fuck. What happened?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Did you cheat?”

“Not me.”

He pauses. “Wait—are you sayingshedid?” He bursts out laughing, which pisses me off all over again.

“If you’re going to be a dick, just drop me off at home.”

“Come on, you can’t be serious.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I don’t think you’re going to have a choice.”

“I’ll explain to Coach that my marriage is over and I need a couple of days to figure some shit out. But I don’t owe anyone the details.”

“I just saved your sorry ass and I don’t deserve an explanation?”

“Nope.”

“You really believe she cheated?”

Yes and no.

It’s hard to believe but the proof is in that positive pregnancy test.

“I can’t…” My voice turns bitter. “I’m not ready to talk about it. I will—I do owe you for today—but right now I’m too fucking raw.”

“All right.” He gives in gracefully, and it occurs to me he’s one of the friends I’m going to lose in all of this. Not because he’ll take sides, but these friendships are difficult to maintain once you’re traded.

“I’m going to ask for a trade,” I say.

“What?!” He swerves before turning to stare at me.

“I can’t be on a team with Johan, and he has a family. It’s easier for me to be the one to go.”

“But he didn’t do anything and, assuming I’m reading between the lines correctly, neither did you.”

“You know things are never that simple. She’s his sister. He’s going to side with her no matter what. And I get that. He’s supposed to—that’s what family does. Look, I got myself into this mess, and these are the consequences of my actions. I should have known better but no point in crying over spilled milk.”

“This is bullshit,” he mutters. “And women suck.”

He’s had his own issues with women. His first girlfriend after he joined the league almost cost him his place on the team. He wound up in the minors for two years and has had to bust his assto get back to the Knights. So I know he understands better than most.

“Yeah, they do.”

“What can I do, man?”

“You’ve already gone above and beyond. I owe you. For real.”

“Nah. You don’t owe me. That’s what brothers do.”

Brothers.