Page 24 of Snapping the Ice

I stopped at my apartment and went inside. I had an hour before he’d arrive to pick me up. As I ambled into my kitchen, my phone hummed in my pocket. “Shit.” Was it Tate? Or maybe Lucas?

I fished the phone out and held it to my face. It was Maddy. My shoulders relaxed as I set the phone on speaker. “Hey, sis.”

“Hi, Ezra. Just checking in. The kiddos are watching a movie with Wyatt, so I’m free to talk.”

The timing was impeccable. “I just finished the last of my photo shoots with the hockey team.” I brushedmy fingertip along the kitchen island counter and then came around it to drop into a chair at the dinette.

“Okay, and how is Tate?”

She was zeroing in on him again. “Fine. We’re going to dinner tonight at a nice seafood restaurant.” Should I admit my plans?

“Oh, seafood can’t be cheap out there. You’re in the middle of a desert.” She giggled softly.

“No, it’s not. In fact, the place has a dress code. I have to wear a collared shirt.” I twirled a lock of bang around my finger. What should I wear? I didn’t have many nice shirts. I was a little more casual with my clothing.

“Wow, sounds swanky. Is there a reason for this dinner?”

“No, what do you mean?” I freed my hair and leaned forward, setting my elbows on the table. Did she sense the ulterior motive for the dinner?

“Like, is it an anniversary or a birthday or something?”

I huffed a laugh. “Oh, no. it’s not.” I furrowed my brows. I should tell her the truth. “But Maddy? I think I’m going to break up with him tonight.”

Her voice grew low. “Are you serious? It’s about time.”

Blinking hard, I said, “I know. I’m ready.” Tightness wound through my body. She better not worry about this.

“Tell me the truth, Ezra. Are you doing it at dinner, so there’ll be people around?”

How did she know? “Uh, yeah. I figure it’ll be easier that way.” My hand trembled as nerves engulfed me. Could I pull this off? But I had Lucas’s support.

“Good. I doubt he’ll react civilly, given his past behavior. I never told you, but I dated a guy like Tate once. Not for very long, but long enough.”

“Shit, you did?” Why had she never mentioned it before? I rubbed my temple.

“Yes. Afterward, he tried to smear my name around town and told anyone who’d listen I was a slut.”

Heat flickered through my chest. “Slut-shaming is fucked up. You’re not and no one is.” Would Tate try to ruin my business by destroying my reputation? I hadn’t thought of that angle. Fuck. I had to let him down easy.

“How are you going to do it? Because I think you should do it before you order food and don’t let him pay for you. Don’t give him any leverage over you.”

Slowly nodding, I said, “Yeah.” Maybe I should call this off and meet him at a coffee shop tomorrow? But then he’d expect sex tonight. My stomach lurched. Fuck no.

“Do you have any friends to talk to?”

“I…yes, I have one.” My gaze wandered to the window looking over the courtyard, the evening light throwing long shadows over the landscaping rocks and desert plants.

“Who, one of your friends from college?”

“No.” I hadn’t spoken to them for almost a year. Why? Tate. I pinched my lips. “I’ve been talking to one of the hockey players.” Warmth floated through my chest. “His name is Lucas.”

“Yeah? Is he queer?”

“Uh, no.” At least not that he’d acknowledged yet. But he’d take me home. I glanced at my couch, where we’d sat last night. I’d wanted him and I was pretty sure the signals from him had been correct.

“Too bad.” She sighed. “Can you call him if you need to?”

Fuck, I should tell her the whole truth. “Maddy, he’s going to be there. The restaurant is at an outdoor mall, and Lucas will be close when I break up with Tate. In fact, he’s going to drive me home.” I shifted in my chair. “He wanted to help.”