Page 15 of The Alternate Captain (Elite Hockey #3)

I take my usual Sunday morning swim and go home via my sister’s place since we’re supposed to be going for brunch. Prez has moved in with Jenna, who was sharing a place with my sister, so I’m not surprised that it’s him who answers the door.

“Vicky’s not here. She said she’d meet you at brunch,” he says.

“No problem,” I say.

But even I realise that my voice comes out way too chirpy. Prez looks at me as if I’ve offered to do the guy’s laundry for a month.

“What the hell is going on?” he asks.

“Nothing.”

“I don’t buy it,” he says, leading the way through to the kitchen.

“I’m in a good mood. I had a good swim and I’m feeling positive about our win last night. And let’s face it, we’re in a good spot to beat these guys later.”

“I have to agree but...” Ryan looks at me then shrugs, dropping it luckily and I’m glad because I don’t want to tell him I’m into someone .

“Hey, I’m glad I caught you, anyway. Remember when Jen had that idea to do the reverse psychology thing?”

“Yeah?” he says.

“Well, I’ve been thinking about it. And I really think we should leave them to it,” I say.

“Well, maybe, but think of what Lee can actually bring to the game if he’s fully focused. And if he’s laden with distractions, it’ll seep into every aspect of things. Obviously, I’m not going to force you to do anything, Johnny, but consider it. He and Vicky—”

“Yeah. I know.”

In the times I’ve hung out with Liam since he’s been back, he’s never mentioned Vicky. Which I’ve seen as a positive, anyway. But then last night he was acting weird. Something’s going on, but my attention is too busy elsewhere to put much thought into it.

I decide not to press it with Ryan, either. I leave it there, because my sister’s face will probably tell me all I need to know.

The coffee place is busy when I get there, and Vicky has already got us a table. I weave through the room and sit down opposite her.

She pounces on me.

“What’s made you so happy?”

“Nothing,” I lie.

When the truth is, I’m still buzzing about Kelly.

I’ve only sat down for a moment before a pen and napkin are thrust under my nose.

“You stayed out of sight last night.” I scan the QR code to look at the menu. “I was wondering what crap you’d be asking us. ”

She shrugs, and as soon as I notice her complete avoidance of any eye contact, I decide to play the game.

“At least you did nothing to annoy Liam,” I say.

“I didn’t come here to talk about Liam,” she says.

“I know Liam. I can tell when he’s pissed.

He wasn’t himself during the opening game, nor at the bar last week, and he’s been snappy ever since he got here.

He’s been fighting for Christ’s sake. We’re talking about Liam.

What’s going on with you two? Please enlighten me, Victoria.

” I can’t quite believe I threw out her full name, but it flows so well.

“What’s it got to do with you?” she asks.

I can feel my cheeks turning pink, and I suck in a breath through my teeth. “It’s frustrating when my best face-off guy is constantly in the penalty box and not taking any face-offs.”

“Fine. We briefly spoke last week. I told him I wanted him to keep away, and he obviously didn’t take it very well.”

“Oh. Well, I’m not surprised. I understand you two are no longer a thing, and I’ve told you before, it’s probably for the best, but you need to remain professional, Vic.

What the fuck are you playing at?” It comes out a little harsher than it should have, but once it’s out, I decide to ride with it.

“Nothing. I tried to keep away last night. I—”

I cut in. “When is this going to stop? When will you stop throwing your toys out of your crib and get your fucking act together?” She busies herself with the menu on her phone and I know I’ve hit a spot. “Someday, Vic, he’ll move on for good and you’ll have to cope.”

“He can do what he wants. He’s a single guy.”

But the way her face changes tells me that’s the complete opposite of what she wants him to do.

“Could you bear the thought of him properly moving on?” But her silence says it all. “Thought so,” I mutter.

“None of this is easy, Johnny,” she says.

But that’s when I question everything. Because there’s no way in hell that anyone can go from being madly in love with someone to the point of getting married to complete disconnection.

“I don’t get it. You were going to marry the guy and then suddenly, poof. Nothing. Not to mention that stunt you pulled before Lois passed away.”

She fumbles in her purse and pulls out a small tin of lip balm. “If you must know, I didn’t want to end up like Mom and Dad. Or Mr and Mrs Preston.”

My heart lurches at those names.

Deep down, I knew Mom and Dad would never work out with their different life paths and whatever, but Mr and Mrs Preston were end game and it devastated everyone, and it probably got Vicky more than I appreciated, given her admission.

“Fuck,” I say, “I didn’t realise that hit you so hard, Sis.”

“You can’t tell Liam. Promise me?” She points her finger at me.

“Why not?” I ask.

“He’ll want to be the hero and try to fix it, but he can’t. It is what it is. He can’t fix it.”

The server sets a mug of coffee in front of Vicky before returning with my brunch.

“Aren’t you eating?” I ask.

“Not hungry.”

“Well, God knows I can’t force you to eat,” I say. Because she’s the second most stubborn person I’ve met, after Liam.

Vicky looks like she’s deep in thought, so I leave her to it while I eat. Then she snaps back to reality, asking me what I’d do if I didn’t play hockey.

I pause and decide to try to lighten the mood.

“Huh. Random, but I’d probably be a vet,” I chuckle to myself before giving her my actual answer. “Nah, probably a chef.” She gives me a weak smile, and I figure now is the time to bring up Dad. I ask her if he’s called and told her about visiting with his new girlfriend .

“When is he coming?” she asks.

“Not sure yet,” I say.

“Excuse me, can I—” a voice to the left of us says.

“Sure, do you have a pen?” I turn on autopilot, but it takes me a second to realise that it’s not my autograph she wants.

“What? Sorry, I was after the salt, may I?” She reaches over and grabs the shaker from the centre of the table.

“Are you done?” I ask Vicky, eager to get the hell out of here. And we shuffle out of the coffee place onto the busy street. “Vic, could you not mention that? I mean, you know what the guys are like.”

“Fine, you keep quiet to Liam, and I’ll keep quiet to everyone about that,” she says.

I tell her I’m heading into the bookstore before going home, and she replies that she’ll see me later, before strutting out of view.

I’m about to walk away myself, when the door to the coffee place flings open and someone calls my name.

I lock eyes with the girl who asked me for the salt, as a familiar face steps out from behind her. What are the damn chances?

“I thought it was you, Johnny.” Charlotte beams. “I spotted you once Lyla grabbed the salt but didn’t want to interrupt, in case that was a date or whatever. I didn’t want to assume that you and Kelly are still together. I mean, she has a poor track record for relationships.”

“That was my sister,” I say flatly. Slightly pissed off that Kelly’s so-called friend would have such a negative outlook on her.

“Oh, my gosh. That makes sense. I mean, I was worried about it after the stuff with Darren and her trust issues, but—oh, sorry, I’m rambling.”

Kelly told me that she planned to nip this whole thing in the bud at the next opportunity, but since Charlotte’s shown her vote of no-confidence in Kelly’s dating ability, I have no choice but to keep the torch burning .

“Yeah, we’re doing good.”

“I’m so happy for you guys, honestly.” Her reaction sounds fake as fuck, but I let it go.

“Listen, I’m in the city for a few nights.

Long story, I won’t bore you. Do you fancy a double date?

Or shall I text her and check? I know what you guys are like with social calendars.

” She nudges me with her elbow, a smirk slipping across her face.

I must have an out-of-body experience because I see myself nodding in agreement. “Yes, we’d love to.”

“What’s your schedule like?” Charlotte asks, pulling her phone out.

I surprise myself by knowing that Kelly always works on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I tell her we’ll be free tomorrow night.

Now all I need to do is tell Kelly.