Inhaling deeply, I release it through my nose as I silently tell her to quit it.
But all she does is smile back at me with nothing but love and support in her eyes.
It might ease some of my anxiety, but nothing will ever squash the guilt.
29
CASEY
“Fighting fire with fire, huh?” Parker muses as I join her in my living room, having gotten changed for tonight’s game.
She met her brother this morning for breakfast before coming here to laze on my couch all afternoon.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say coyly as I walk past her.
It took me a while to decide what to wear tonight. There was only one thing I knew for certain that Iwasn’twearing…his jersey. There was no way I was giving him the satisfaction of seeing me in that again.
I had the rest of the team to choose from, but I needed one that would prove my point should Kodie care enough to look in my direction tonight.
“The hotpants and boots are a good touch,” Parker laughs. “You’re giving great bunny vibes.”
I swallow nervously, suddenly questioning my decision.
“Is it too much?” I ask, looking down at myself.
I’ve never been a puck bunny, nor do I want to be one. And not just because Dad would have a coronary if he saw me flirting with the players.
But the chance to make a point tonight was too much to deny.
“After what he did? Not a chance,” she states confidently. “You look hot, and he’s going to lose his mind when he looks at you.”
My stomach knots and my hands tremble.
I’m not sure if I’m ready to see him again. But I refuse to miss a game I love because of one idiot player.
I’m starting to understand why Dad has insisted I never date his players. It makes things complicated. Especially when it goes wrong.
“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Parker points out.
“I feel like I might.”
“You need a shot,” she states before jumping to her feet and rushing into my kitchen.
“Pretty sure that’s the last thing I need,” I call after her.
I’ve barely eaten all day, so a sip of alcohol will go straight to my head.
“We’re going for food. It’ll soak it all up,” Parker reasons as she pours us a shot each and turns to me with a wicked smile.
“Tequila,” she says, in case I didn’t know what I had in my cupboard. “Perfect start to the night.”
“You do know we both have work tomorrow, right?”
“We’re not getting drunk, just…liquid courage. One for fun,” she says, lifting her glass to her lips.
“And one for luck,” I finish before swallowing the whole thing in one go. “Ugh,” I complain as it burns down my throat.
It only takes a few seconds though for it to begin working its magic.
