“Tyler is taken too, and Ashton,” I hear Cindy next and I know I have to come out of here at some point.
“I was meaning Jay Jefferson,” the other girl says. “He’s hot, and… what was your name again?”
“Janey,” I hear after a slight pause. My heart really plummets to the floor then. I mean, I knew it was her, but hearing her say it is like swallowing lead.
I’m wanting to run out of here as fast as I can, I feel sick about hearing them talk about Jay like this. Maybe Em could be the distraction while I bolt. Or maybe I should face them and tell them I’m his girl? I mean, am I his girl?
“I was about to say they needn’t bother with Jay, there’s only one girl he has on his mind, and on his dick.”
That’s it! I’ve just about had it as I unlatch the door and swing it open. I don’t think they even see me as I step towards the sinks.
The other girls laugh and Janey gets sight of me in the mirror, her eyes widen with shock. The thing is, she isn’t laughing at all. She almost gives me a resigned look, soft even. I’m expecting her to scratch my eyes out, since she clearly remembers seeing me, and we both know she’s been sniffing around Jay again.
“And who would that be?” Cindy asks, hands on hips.
“That’s her there,” Janey says, thumbing over to me as I stop in my tracks, five pairs of eyes are on me; two strangers, Em, Cindy and Janey.
I swallow and open my mouth, then clamp it shut as Janey continues.
“I was just saying they needn’t bother fawning over Jay, he’s head over heels for some little yoga girl,” Janey’s words surprise me, they’re not full of malice or contempt at all. She smiles and shrugs her shoulders. “I didn’t know you two were a thing that day on the ice,” she says in my direction. “I’m not for cutting another girl’s lunch, even if I might want to.”
I snap myself out of my daydream as Em and Cindy step aside for me to walk over and wash my hands. Pulling out a paper towel from the rack, I quickly dry them off and throw it in the wastebasket. “We were just friends then,” I say. “It’s new, but thanks.”
“He’s crazy about you,” Janey says. “Trust me. I tried to nail him again multiple times, but he kept blowing me off. I figured out why eventually.”
I glance at my friends, who looked pretty shocked beyond belief that we’re even here talking to puck bunny Janey, and she’s actually being nice to me, not trying to cause a scene because she can’t have Jay. Her words are strangely warmingand kinda nice to hear, considering what Aaron did to me while he was away with his team.
“That’s, um, sweet of you to say,” I reply with a small, shyish smile. I’m not prepared at all to answer questions or explain Jay and I. We haven’t even discussed it ourselves.
“Well, now that’s all sorted out,” Em says after a beat and a clap of her hands. “We better get back to it.”
The two hopefuls wanting to snag an NHL guy go on their merry way into a cubicle each as Em and Cindy turn to exit the ladies’ room.
“Thanks for saying what you said.” I nod towards Janey, who’s putting the final touches to her hot pink lips. She smacks them together and gives me a wink in the mirror.
“I’m a truth teller, honey. And Jay is hot for you, so grab him with both hands, lucky girl. He’s really not like other guys.”
I almost feel bad for her, knowing Jay slept with her and she clearly wanted more and refused her. Almost. But not enough to really see that through.
I smile as I turn to follow my friends. “No, he most certainly is not.”
Em and Cind are waiting outside when I finally join them. Neither of them can believe the exchange, but we have to get back to our seats for the second period.
“I can’t believe that!” Cindy’s face is a picture of a thousand words, mainly bewilderment, as she shakes her head and presses her lips together, as we hurry back to the stadium doors.
“Me either.” Em gives me a nudge. “And you heard it straight from the horse’s mouth, or rather, Janey’s in this case.”
“Thanks for trying to stop the gossiping,” I say to Em, smiling gratefully.
She shrugs a shoulder. “Any time. It happened to me many years ago, and set the course of my future with Taylor, not in a good way. I hate gossiping.”
“She definitely got tough as time went on.” Cindy smiles at her friend.
I can’t help but smile along with them. My fears about him wanting someone better, bustier and sexier than me, all fall out of the window. He thinks I’m sexy. Look what he did to me last night!
I’m just about jumping off the rafters with anticipation and excitement as we head back into the stadium. The roar of the crowd as the players skate out once more only amp up the fuel inside me. I want him so damned much.
He had more than one opportunity to bang Janey again and he refused her. She said it in her own words.
