Chapter Three
Ella
I climbedout of the hot water and wrapped myself in one of the large plush towels, then grabbed another and wrapped it around my head.I felt a million times better and way more relaxed after that bath—and the rest of my glass of wine.
I glanced at myself in the mirror, taking in the worry on my face.What was I worried about?Perhaps it would have helped me to have more of a backstory.Maybe what was really bothering me was the fact I had jumped into this with my eyes closed, like I had done with everything in my life since Lucas and I had ended.
That was probably why I was still single.I’d made one poor decision after the next in my love life and personal life.For some strange reason, when Lucas suggested this idea, I didn’t want to let him down.I knew exactly what this sort of pressure from family felt like.My father was the same, always throwing in his two cents about the fact all my friends were getting married, and then there was me.
I let out a sigh; I felt almost sick with nerves.I inhaled deeply, taking in the powerful scent of the lavender oil I’d used in my tub, exhaling slowly, trying to calm myself a little.I guess if Lucas was okay with things the way they were, then I should just relax and go with the flow.
I squeezed some moisturizer into my hands and was about to rub it on my legs when my phone pinged.I opened up my messages to see that Aurora had posted in our group chat with Lorelai.They’d welcomed me into their group with open arms after one of the Dominators’ functions at the beginning of the season.
While I was hesitant at first to befriend anyone who worked with the team because of who my father was and, of course, my past with Lucas, the girls were persistent.Once I learned Lorelai was the little sister to Phil, and that both the girls were dating two of the players on the team, Dylan Hayes and Knox Evans, I decided it might not be so bad.
I hadn’t told them about my past with Lucas, mainly because I didn’t want to hear that I should give him a second chance.I’d heard that enough from my other friends.Lately, I’d heard it from my father as well, which had shocked me after he’d been so angry from the initial incident.
As I read the message, I realized that this weekend the three of us had planned on shopping, dinner, and then going to the movies since the team was on a set of away games.
I knew Aurora had been looking forward to getting out.Her morning sickness had been so bad she’d basically been bedridden, and since she had finally started feeling better, she had been looking forward to dinner out at The Lighthouse.
I let out a sigh.I really had messed this up, hadn’t I.I’d snuck off without so much as a word to anyone, and now I would have no choice but to explain to them where I was—and with who.
Quickly, I hit respond and explained I was feeling under the weather, wondering if we could plan to go on Monday instead.Almost immediately, they both understood, agreed to the date change, and wished me well.
“You just about ready?”I heard Lucas question outside the bathroom door.
I glanced at myself in the bathroom mirror.“Give me half an hour.”
I heard him mutter something about this being one reason we’d ended and why he wasn’t in a relationship as he walked away.I just rolled my eyes.
Twenty minutes later, my hair dried and styled, I slipped into the green dress I’d brought for tonight and then took a moment to look at myself in the mirror, smoothing out the material.Then I slipped my feet into the black heels I’d brought, grabbed my clutch, and took off toward the common area of the suite.
Lucas lay on the couch watching the hockey game, wearing dress pants and a shirt, and just as I entered, he shouted at the TV as he glanced quickly in my direction.He was about to look back at the TV, but stopped and took a second look at me, his eyes skimming my body.
“Holy shit, Larson, you clean up pretty good,” he said, sitting up and shutting the TV off, his eyes still glued to me.
“Thank you, but you know that already.I figured I’d better look good.After all, it is the first time seeing your mother again after we’ve gotten back together.”I winked.
Lucas chuckled as he stood up and grabbed the key card off the table, shoving it into his suit jacket.
“Alright, I’m glad to see you are on board with everything.”
“I’m just trying to have fun and get in the game.”
“Great.It will make it more believable that way.”He grabbed my ass as he went to open the door, causing me to jump.
Lucas broke out in laughter as I turned and glared at him.Then he shrugged his shoulders and winked at me.“Remember, believable, and if you were mine again, my hands would be glued to you every chance I got.”
“Too bad they weren’t the first time,” I said, feeling my cheeks heat at his comment.
“Not going to let my want to follow my dreams go, are you?”he asked.
“Want to follow your dream?Please, you were going to the NHL regardless, and you knew it.You just made me feel second place is all, but I’m over it.Now, let’s go meet your mother.”
Neither of us said a word to one another in the elevator.Lucas stood there looking forward, and I stood there feeling awful about what I’d said.We had both been to blame for our breakup.I had no reason to be a bitch to him, yet I hadn’t been able to help myself.
When we stepped off the elevator, each of us looked in the opposite direction to find the restaurant.There was nothing but stores in the direction I was looking, and when I went to tell Lucas that, I felt him take my hand in his.
