“Fuck, Vic. You shouldn’t be in here.”
“You just went for Johnny mid-practice. I think I deserve to know what’s going on. I have a feeling it’s got something to do with me.”
I can hardly believe what she’s saying. She deserves to know what’s going on? I feel angrier than I have in a long time, so I take a few deep breaths before turning towards her.
“And I didn’t deserve to find out why my fiancée called off our wedding from Bettsy.” I switch off the water and swing open the saloon style door to the shower. Vicky’s gaze lands straight on my dick. She opens her mouth to speak, her eyes darting between my face and my crotch. “Christ, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.” I grab my towel and wrap it around my waist.
“How did Bettsy—”
“Johnny can’t keep his fucking mouth shut.”
“Oh.” She pauses and straightens up. “Why does it matter now, anyway? That ship has sailed, remember.” There’s a hint of venom in her voice.
“Don’t you fucking dare. You broke my heart. Twice, remember? You owe me an explanation. I’ve been putting off asking you, you know. I didn’t want to cause any more upset or whatever, but I’m done now, Vic. I want to hear it from you. Not Johnny, not Bettsy, not Ryan, because I wouldn’t be surprised if he fucking knows. Actually, I bet the entire team knows.” I’m almost shouting at this point, my blood boiling.
“They don’t. Lee, they don’t. Look, I didn’t want to end up like my parents. Or your parents for that matter. My parent’s relationship was a fucking mess, and when your mom told me she was…”
“Don’t,” I say, pushing past her.
I don’t want to listen to Vicky talk about my mom because right now, I’m already re-living enough heartbreak as it is.
Chapter 18
Liam
It had been Vicky’s idea to get married. It was January, and we were spending every single night on the phone: video calling, sexting, whatever. It was like we were reliving our college days.
We were on a video call one Friday evening. Evening for me anyway, middle of the night for Vicky. She had her iPad propped up against a pillow next to her on her bed. I tried to insist that she sleep, but she refused, and there was no point arguing with her because, despite my stubbornness, she always won.
I’d lost count of how many times she’d fallen asleep while talking with me, and I didn’t mind. I just enjoyed knowing that she was there. But this particular night, she was wide awake.
“You had a good game,” she said, and we talked about it for a short while. Vicky knew hockey, even though sometimes she’d pretend she hated it. But the conversation always ledin the same direction: her poking fun about my sweater. “I don’t understand how you can wear it half-tucked!”
“I don’t know why it bothers you so much. Remember, I thought of you before going out onto the ice.”
“You’re such a dick,” she laughed. Then she watched me toss some rolls of tape into my hockey bag. “Do you miss me taping your stick?”
“I wish you’d do something to my other stick.” Vicky scoffed at my terrible attempt at flirting, but I genuinely loved her reaction. “Well, that’s something else that always reminds me of you,” I’d said, on a serious note. “Honestly, it seems like everything reminds me of you these days.”
“Well, ditto. I miss you,” she said. Then she went into a speech about all the things she missed the most. I waited for her to finish before asking about her plans to stay in the UK with Johnny.
“I don’t know. I mean, what are your plans?”
“I’ll go wherever you want to go,” I said.
She chewed her lip then looked directly into the camera. “Let’s get married,” she said. “I mean, we always said we’d end up married, so why not?”
No need for contemplation on my part. “I’ve already got you a ring, baby girl. I don’t think it’ll do it justice for me to show you now, so I guess you’ll have to wait.”
Her face lit up. “Were you going to ask me, then?”
“Always,” I said. “I love you. I’ve only ever loved you. Besides, who else would put up with you?” I winked at her, and her smile was contagious.
After lengthy discussions, we devised a plan. I’d play out the rest of the season for the Marlies, then go over to the UK, marrying Vicky and playing hockey on Johnny’s team.
Johnny had smoothed it over with the GM, and I had spoken with Ronnie, my agent. She wasn’t happy. In fact, I’d say she was on the verge of un-signing me, but I persuaded her to help me out.
It was meant to be our happily ever after. All I had to do was inform my brother that Vicky and I had gotten back together, and we were engaged.
