Page 23

Chapter 23

AMBER

I’m in my apartment, typing up my notes from the day, when I hear a knock at the door. I open it to reveal Zack, a wide smile spreading across his face.

A million emotions hit me all at once. Relief. Hurt. Betrayal. Seeing him almost makes me forget everything—almost. But those feelings are still there, boiling beneath the surface.

Zack pulls me into a warm embrace, burying his face in my hair. “It’s good to see you again,” he murmurs. I can barely return the hug, my body stiff.

He pulls back, examining my face. “What’s wrong?” He tries to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear, but I pull away from him, taking a few steps back, so I can get some space. He follows me into the living room, but doesn’t try to hold me again. “Amber. What is it?”

I can’t keep my anger inside any longer. “Who is Joyce?”

Zack just stares at me, emotions flickering across his face. I fold my arms and glare at him, waiting for a response. Then I notice that he’s holding back a smile. A nervous one, not smug. “Oh, so this is funny to you?”

Zack presses his lips together tightly. “No. Amber, I’m so sorry.”

“Right, like that’ll help.” I throw up my hands. “Just what every girl wants to hear when her boyfriend cheats on her. ‘I’m sorry.’ Well, sorry doesn’t cut it.”

“Wait! Just let me explain.” He goes to reach for me again, but I take another step back, my face warning him not to get any closer. He runs his hand through his hair and lets out a bitter laugh. “Joyce… is not a person.”

“What does that mean?” My mind spins, thinking back through what I’ve heard about Joyce. “Jason certainly seems to think she is.”

Zack rolls his eyes. “Jason, really ?” He seems startled that Jason was the informant.

“Yeah, well that’s because… God, where to even start with this. Can we sit down?”

I remain standing, glaring at him. His eyebrows draw together, his face pleading. “Please, Amber. Do you trust me?”

My breath catches in my throat. Because I did trust him…completely. Until about four days ago.

This is the same Zack that I’ve been falling for, I remind myself. And he seems really sorry. The least I can do is hear him out.

And, unfortunately , my profession won’t let me do anything less. I scowl.

I sit down sharply on the couch, my back ramrod straight. Zack sits down across from me, twisting his hands together in his lap. “JOYCe is an acronym. For the Jefferson Opportunities Youth Center.”

I spell it out in my head, but that doesn’t clear anything up. “Okay…”

“It’s not a person at all. I volunteer at the youth center on the weekends, and an occasional weekday evening. I work with the kids, coach some.”

His face brightens as he goes on. “It’s a nonprofit, and having a semi-famous local hockey player involved helps them get sponsors and raise funding.”

I see the passion for this place in his eyes.

“I started working with them when I first moved to Red Oak. I needed something to do on the weekends, because I wasn’t interested in dating, and I didn’t feel like going out with the other guys. But they knew I was single, and they were always trying to set me up with their sisters, and hounding me to “get out there”, he air quotes, shaking his head.

“One thing led to another.” I murmur as it all sinks in. I feel the tension leave my body as I absorb Zack’s story. I never would have guessed any of this without his explanation.

“Exactly.” Zack nods emphatically. “I was already referring to the youth center as JOYCe, because that’s what the locals call it, “The JOYCe”. I thought since the other guys live here, too, they’d know what I was talking about.

But they didn’t, so they just assumed JOYCe was a person. A female person. And when they thought I was seeing someone, they stopped trying to set me up. So I just… never corrected them.”

He shrugs one shoulder, a sheepish smile on his face. “I never thought it would cause any issues. It made sense at the time.”

I sigh deeply, processing everything he’s told me. “Zack… I’m so sorry. I can’t believe how much I misunderstood everything.”

Zack’s shaking his head before I’m even done talking. “No, it’s not your fault at all. It was a stupid, little white lie. I never expected it to get out of the locker room, honestly. But I promise you, JOYCe is not a real person. And definitely not a secret girlfriend.”

He looks at me with wide, sincere eyes. “You believe me, right?”

I can see in his face that he’s being genuine. “It does make more sense than you having two secret girlfriends ,” I say slowly, allowing a small smile onto my face. “Especially when you made it very clear to me that you don’t date.”

Zack lets out a sigh of relief. “Yes. You’re the only secret girlfriend I’ve got. I promise.”

He gets a glint in his eye. “Which, by the way. Is that what we are, Girlfriend ? You called me your cheating boyfriend earlier…”

I blush and kick at him playfully. “Yeah, it kind of just slipped out. But I like the sound of it. Not the cheating part, of course.”

“Of course.” Zack nods very seriously. “Now that we’ve got that settled, can I please hug you properly?”

I answer by crawling across the couch and into his arms. He presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, and I take a deep breath, relaxing into him. This is nice. This feels right.

“I can’t believe I spent most of the last week being so upset over nothing,” I mutter.

“You can always ask me if something’s bothering you, Amber. I’ll always tell you the truth.” I look up at him, and he smiles. “I mean it. I never want to hurt you again.”

I sit up, startling him. “I want to meet JOYCe,” I announce.

Zack looks at me oddly. “Even though she’s not a real person.”

“But it’s a real place, right?” I bounce up from the sofa, suddenly excited. “I want to see the place where you volunteer and meet all the kids you work with. Maybe it’s something we could even do together.”

“Okay.” Zack gets up from the couch too, checking his phone. “We’ve got a few hours until they close. Want to go over there now?”

“Yes.” I know it’s an impulsive decision, but I’m curious about this new aspect of Zack’s life that I’ve uncovered. It sounds like something that would be right up my alley, too.

I put on my shoes and follow Zack to his car, which is parked right outside my apartment. I notice his bag is still in the backseat. “Was I your first stop after getting back from your mom’s?”

Zack shrugs, swinging into the driver’s seat. “I wanted to see you.”

My heart swells. How could I ever stay mad at this man?

Zack drives us across town to a large, brick building with a colorful mural of children playing on the front. It's surrounded by green space and a cheerful playground that’s clearly seen years of love. It feels welcoming — even before we step inside.

We enter and are greeted by a smiling older woman behind the front desk. “Zack! We weren’t expecting you today.” She comes out from behind the desk and gives him a big familiar hug, much to my surprise.

Then she notices me. “And who might this be?”

“I’m Amber.” I step forward and give her a firm handshake. “Very nice to meet you…”

“Helen.” She gives me a broad smile as well. “Zack never brings his friends to see us! I’ll let him give you the tour.”

She waves us into the facility. Zack starts pointing things out as we pass them. “They do a bunch of different programs here. There are offices for counseling, there’s a music studio… and this is where I spend all my time.”

He opens a door at the end of the hallway and leads me into a gymnasium. It’s small, with a row of metal bleachers along one side, and the floor is scuffed. But the walls are brightly painted, and there are big high windows to let in lots of sunlight.

I take a few steps inside, looking around curiously. “So what do you do?”

“Teach kids to play floor hockey. It’s a good way to get their energy out.” Zack follows me into the gym. “It’s really fun.”

A bald man pokes his head into the gym right after Zack comes through the doors. “Zack? I thought I heard someone in here. How are you, Buddy?”

“I’m great!” Zack gestures between the newcomer and me. “Amber, this is Eric, the program coordinator. And Eric, this is Amber, the mental performance coach for the Blades. I wanted to show her what we do here.”

I wave. “Nice to meet you!”

“Mental performance coaching, huh? I’ve always been interested in sports psychology.” Eric nods thoughtfully, joining us in the gym.

“You know, there’s a need for more of that in the community here. Kids don’t know how to balance things like school and sports, with the rest of their lives.” He sighs. “We have a few counselors on staff here already, but it never feels like enough.”

“I completely agree!” I dig around in my purse. “Here’s my card. I haven’t worked with kids since grad school, but I’m always up for a challenge. I’d love to talk to you more about this.”

Eric takes my card with a grin. “Thanks, Amber! I’ll be in touch.”

Zack raises his eyebrows at me after Eric leaves. “Are you job hunting?”

I shrug. “I need something to do once the preseason is over. And if my next job keeps me in Red Oak, well…that would certainly make things easier for the two of us.” Zack still looks surprised. I take his hand. “What?”

“I just can’t believe you want to stay here. With me.”

“Of course I do.” I rub my thumb over the back of his hand. “I was so angry at you earlier. Only to find out that it was all a big misunderstanding, and you’re actually even sweeter and more generous than I ever knew. before today.” I shrug. “I’d be silly to let that go.”

Zack doesn’t say a word. He just wraps me in his arms like he never wants to let go — and for the first time in a long time , I know I’m exactly where I belong.