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“Well…” Ethel’s weakening, but she needs a final push.

“Hunter got injured during a hockey game tonight,” I tell her, leaning in like I’m confiding a secret.

“The rest of the team is busy, including his family, and we were the only ones who were able to get away.” Not exactly the truth, but not exactly a lie, either.

Hadley shoots me a grateful glance, and I continue.

“We’d hate for him to be alone right now.

Can you at least check on his status for us? ”

Ethel nods, resolute. “If you get parental permission for me, I can. Is he a minor?”

Hadley’s fingers shake as she gets her phone out of her purse and I’m hit again with the desire to sweep her into a hug, to kiss the top of her head and press her close to me.

“What if he doesn’t answer?” she whispers.

I put my hand on her arm. “Then we’ll figure something else out. I’ll call Coach or the team doctor.” Then I turn to Ethel. “The patient’s over twenty-one. But still on his parent’s insurance. I’m sure the university has everything on file with the hospital.”

Hadley calls her dad while I spell out Hunter’s name and Ethel retrieves his medical information. Her tense posture relaxes as she hands the phone to Ethel. “My dad’s on the line.”

After Ethel speaks with Mr. Thompson, she clears her throat.

“Dear, I’ve added you to the list of approved visitors, and as a family representative, you can add others.

” She gives me a pointed look, then fixes her gaze back on Hadley.

“Your brother is in surgery now. But you can go upstairs to the third floor and wait. Someone will get you when he’s in recovery and give you an update. ”

Gulping, Hadley nods and I thank Ethel. I guide Hadley towards the elevators and ride with her in silence.

She finds an empty alcove on the third floor and I find us some coffee.

It’s not great, but it’s warm. Lightning races along my spine when I hand her the cup and our fingers brush, but she doesn’t notice.

Which makes sense, since she’s dating someone else, even if she is ending things.

It’s like a bruise inside my chest—I know I shouldn’t poke it, I shouldn’t think about it, but I can’t stay away from punishing myself with the knowledge.

It aches every time. What was it about this guy that made her say yes in the first place? And what did he do wrong to lose her?

We sit side by side on uncomfortable plastic chairs and stare at the linoleum floor. Most of the tiles are white, but some are maroon, and I try to decipher the pattern. I’ve almost got it figured out when Hadley interrupts my silent contemplation.

“My dad didn’t tell me about the arena dedication.

” She clears her throat as I meet her gaze.

I don’t know where she is going with this, but I nod, and she keeps talking.

“I mean, the first time. When he showed up and made that surprise announcement. He surprised me, too. He didn’t bother to tell me he was in town. ”

She laughs, a rueful, unhappy sound. “Someone in the hockey PR office called me about the gala tonight, said it would look better if I attended. Not because my dad wanted me there or thought about me. Just for the school’s optics.”

“Ouch.” I pat her knee—a friendly gesture. But I stiffen when she leans against me and rests her head on my shoulder. She doesn’t move, though, but sighs from deep within her soul.

“I shouldn’t care, right? I shouldn’t let it bother me. I know he only cares about hockey and nothing else. But I guess I thought if he was coming almost a thousand miles to the school I attend, he might want to see me, too.” Her voice is small, sad. “But I was wrong.”

“Hadley.” Shifting, I put my finger under her chin and lift it to stare into her incredibly blue eyes. “It’s his loss. Like it’s your dumb boyfriend’s loss. Any man who doesn’t see how amazing you are is an idiot.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” She says under her breath, blinking back tears.

But she doesn’t look away, so I keep talking. “I’d drive a thousand miles just to talk to you. Do you know, I called you Cinderella in my head and searched everywhere for you?”

A watery laugh pops out of her mouth, and she smiles. “Like a creepy prince but without a shoe?”

“Yes, except not creepy. Romantic and amazing, I think you mean.”

Scooting closer, her gaze flicks to my lips and back to my eyes, and internally I want to pump my fist and cheer for Team Jonas.

“Tomato, ta-maah-to.” Breaking our stare, she leans against me again and rests her head on my shoulder.

When her breathing evens out, I let my eyes drop closed, too. We stay that way until a voice says, “Miss Thompson?”

Springing out of her chair, Hadley jumps up to face the person in the doorway. Carrying a clipboard and wearing green scrubs and a white lab coat, she introduces herself as a doctor and clears her throat.

“Your brother is out of surgery. He’s in recovery, and you’ll be able to see him soon.”

Hadley sinks back into the chair and thanks the doctor. Then she turns to me.

“Thanks for being here for me right now, Jonas. I’m really glad we’re friends.”

Friends. Yep, me too. Great. That’s just great.

Do I want more? Absolutely. But that’s impossible, so I should be happy to have this. A sliver of Hadley as my friend is better than nothing. I can’t stay away from her, no matter how many times I tell myself to let her go.

“Friends,” I echo, wishing I meant it.