29
Over
Dakota
Iknocked and waited what felt like an eternity for somebody to answer, my fate hanging in the balance. I peeked over my shoulder. I didn’t even know whose house I was at—all I knew was my Mercedes was parked in the driveway. Which hopefully meant Ottavia was still here …
Even if shewashere—I knew there was no guarantee she’d want to speak to me. I’d called her nonstop, but she hadn’t answered my calls or texted me back. If what Mr. Capuano had said was true? I knew there was a damned good chance Ottavia wouldn’t want to speak to me at all. Who in her position wouldn’t take the money?
Butugh,the possibility of that made me sick to my stomach. If Ottavia didn’t want to be with me anymore—that was one thing.
But please, babe, at least give me the opportunity to explain myself,I thought.
I tried to steady my racing thoughts, reminding myself to stay calm and composed. I took another glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see one of Mr. Capuano’s henchmen filming me from the sidewalk. If so? I didn’t care. I didn’t give adamn about Sal’s “final offer.” If I didn’t have Ottavia, it didn’t make a difference to me.
At last, I heard the door unlock. My spine stiffened and my heart eagerly thumped in my chest; I couldn’twaitto see Ottavia’s beautiful face again, and try to begin to explain everything, if she’d let me. But as the door cracked open, it wasn’t Ottavia who stood before me. My heart began to sink—until I realized I recognized the girl who’d answered.
“Hey! You work at BarDown!” I said, relieved, because now I knew Ottavia was here.
“Er, yes, I do …” she stammered, the door chain locked in place, keeping me from trying to force my way in.
“Sorry, what was your name again?”
“Sienna.”
“Sienna, hi. I’m Dakota.” I shook her hand. “Is Ottavia here with you? I’ve been trying to reach her.”
“Um …” Sienna pursed her lips and glanced over her shoulder to consult. “What do you want?”
“I just … I need to talk to her. There are things I have to explain.” I sighed. “Things I have to apologize for.”
Sienna disappeared for a moment to consult with Ottavia in secret.
“She’s not allowed to talk to you anymore, Dakota,” Sienna said, offering a frown.
“I’m not allowed to talk to her, either. Her dad said he’ll end my career if I try to talk to her again,” I said with a heavy sigh. “But can I at least speak to her through the door? She can just listen to what I have to say. She doesn’t have to talk at all.”
Sienna turned around to confer if this technicality was acceptable or not. She must’ve gotten approval from Ottavia, because Sienna gestured for me to come closer.
I stepped up, leaning closer so I could speak through the cracked door.
“Ottavia … babe … I’m sorry. I don’t even know what to say,” I said, rolling my eyes at myself. “I feel like a complete idiot. You probably hate me right now, and I don’t even blame you. But …” I trailed off, stuck.
I didn’t know what else to say. The silence grew deafening. This was my big moment, and I was choking? Really?I felt so damned pathetic.
You’re a failure.
A failure at hockey and a failure in love.
Mr. Capuano was right; I’d already blown it. Something told me to give up, to turn around and run with my tail between my legs and run home, andprayMr. Capuano would still let me play hockey …
Sienna saw me struggling. Before I could run off, she tapped on her sternum and mouthed the words,From the heart.
Only problem with that was I didn’t know how to speak from the heart at all. I stood there, feeling like a clueless jerk who had no idea how to get in touch with his emotions. Hell, the only thing I felt in my heart at all was this festering sense of regret.
Wasthatwhat I was supposed to speak from? How? I let my consciousness sink lower, into the core of my being, and sat with that ugly feeling. I sat there with it, turning it over, trying to get to know what, exactly, it was—when a funny thing happened. I began to speak.
“I—I should’ve told you the truth.” The words had found their way out all on their own, and they felt so damned true, nothing could stop them. “But I lied, Ottavia. I lied when I told you I didn’t hook up with that girl from the video.” I let out a sigh. “I don’t even knowwhyI lied, Ottavia. I guess I thought it wasn’t a big deal, because I slept with her before I even met you.”
