Page 11 of Playing for Keeps (Seattle Hawks Ice Hockey #4)

Jay is good at plenty of things, grope dancing being one of them, but I figure it’s best to leave that detail out of the conversation.

“I’ll send you some footage,” I joke. “How’s Luc?”

“He’s great, you know three-year-olds, always keeping us on our toes. He misses his aunty. Deb says he’s walking around saying Aunty JJ all the time.”

I laugh at the thought of my little darling nephew with his blue eyes and blonde curls. “I can’t wait to see him. Tell Deb I said hi.”

“Will do. Is Jay out of the shower yet?”

I glance behind me into the apartment, but there’s no sign of him. I wonder what’s taking him so long. “Nah, not yet.”

“Well, tell him I’ll catch up with him later.”

“Will do. Thanks for the call. Talk soon.”

“See ya, Sis.”

I hang up and place my phone on the table next to me.

Standing up, I reach out for the railing, gripping onto it with tight hands.

I lean forward a little, looking down. The vast distance between me and the traffic below makes me shudder.

Heights have never been my thing. Being up on the fortieth floor doesn’t exactly evoke much confidence in me.

My phone rings again, and I expect to see Mom or Dad flash up on the screen.

I text them every day; they were all worried about me after the breakup, but now it’s been a couple of months, they’re starting to ease up.

They know my feelings for Aaron were strong and how heartbroken I was that things didn’t work out.

I’ve spared them most of the details, they really don’t know much about it and I want to keep it that way. Some things you just don’t need to share with your folks.

But the second my eyes see the screen lit up with Aaron’s name on my iPhone, my heart kicks up a few thunderous notches. I let it ring out, but I don’t miss the way my body goes rigid and starts to quiver. Why the hell is he calling me now?

It’s like on cue, just after Tanner asked about him. That’s weird in itself.

We broke up. It’s done. I don’t want him back.

My phone pings a second later.

Aaron

Jade. Pick up the damned phone baby!

I stare at the message. He’s unbelievable. No hello. No, nothing, just telling me what he wants me to do again. I don’t know who the hell he thinks he is. I’m annoyed at myself for not blocking him straight away.

My fingers can’t seem to stop themselves as I quickly type back.

Me

I’ve told you to leave me alone! And I’m not your baby!

Aaron

I miss you, J

This is what he does. Starts out with his demands, then tries to wheedle his way back in by saying something sweet. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse with him. But I’m not his little mouse any longer.

Me

The only person you miss is yourself. Leave me alone!

I don’t need his shit right now. Not when I’m trying to get into my zen zone for the shoot today and enjoy my afternoon with Jay.

I did a quick meditation this morning and practiced some calming breathing exercises.

It's been a good ritual for me everyday to help ground myself and move forward from what happened with Aaron.

Thinking about all of that will only put a dampener on today, and I’m not going to let it. I’ve been looking forward to ice skating with Jay since he mentioned the whole thing, and the dance lesson will be epic.

I put my phone back down, glad that another message doesn’t pop up.

I just hope Aaron isn’t following where I am on social media, not that he would even think to come visit me. And I wouldn’t want that. I think the time to block him has definitely come.

Regardless, I decide to be a bit careful about posting exactly where I am or what I’m doing, just in case. It’s kind of hard to do, given the following I’ve built up, which is definitely largely because of him. He never let me forget about that, either.

It’s Jay behind me that breaks my reverie.

As I turn from the balcony, I see him heading toward me, dressed in light blue jeans and a white T-shirt. He shakes out his wet hair and I smile at the fact he’s still wearing his slippers.

“Good evening,” I joke, pressing my lips together. I love making fun of how freaking long it usually takes him to get ready. Some things definitely don’t change.

I re-tuck my phone into my back pocket, eyes flicking down the full length of his well chiseled body and back up, finally landing on his baby blues. They’re as clear as the sky today, and showing nothing but mischief, a slight crinkle in the corners.

“Are you ready to go?” he asks, with that cute little head tilt he does so well.

“I’m ready to kick your ass on the ice.” I give him a grin of my own that can only rival his competitive edge.

“Kick my ass?” he laughs, clutching his chest in a fake fit. “You’re funny, Little Princess, has anyone ever told you that?”

It makes me smile hearing him say the nickname he’s always had for me since the day I met him. He alternates between JJ , Sweetheart and Princess, sometimes he even puts little in front of it. “Quite frequently, actually,” I retort.

He snorts with laughter. “Give it your best shot.”

“Fine. I will.”

“You think you have the upper hand because you’re small and fast?” he says, placing a hand on his hip.

His tanned, chiseled jawline shows a day or so of stubble, a cute scruff he obviously didn’t get around to shaving. And Jay is always pretty much clean shaven and smooth. It suits him either way, but like this, he looks a little unkempt and way more wild than the baby face I know and adore.

“I can get the drop on you any day, hotshot.”

“We’ll see,” he jibes, jangling his keys in the air. “If you’re ready, let’s go.”