Meghan talks about the details and once the meeting comes to a close, she makes her way to her office.
“Meg!”
She turns around to see Keri walking toward her. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure. Sorry about my phone buzzing. I thought I turned it off. I know how much you hate interruptions during the meeting.”
“It happens,” Keri says. “I want to talk to you about Jared Landry.”
Meghan walks into her office. Her feet suddenly cold, her heart racing.
“It’s not what it looks like,” Meghan says, turning on her toes. She crosses her arms at her chest.
“What’s going on between the two of you?”
Meghan hesitates.
“I’ve never seen a player hang out and contact one of us because he’s interested in an event. He obviously likes you. I saw how the two of you were together at the skate and at the library. I couldn’t help but notice that he called you in the meeting.”
“About that—”
“You don’t have to explain. I’m just worried that you’ll get hurt. Jared is kind of a . . . playboy. I’ve seen him with other women and I don’t want you to get involved without knowing the consequences.”
“I’m fine. There’s nothing between us,” Meghan reassures. “We’ve hung out, but I haven’t spoken to him in a while.”
Keri eyes her sternly. “Be careful. I’m sure you’re aware that he’s had lots of relationships. He doesn’t have a problem getting what he wants. It doesn’t last long . . . from what I know,” Keri quickly adds. “He gets what he wants because of his name. I’m sure. Besides, he’s getting back with his ex.”
Meghan shuffles her feet and lets out a nervous laugh. “That’s fine. We’re not together, anyway.” Her stomach is flipping around. She feels sick. She knew she wouldn’t get him.
“I’m just warning you he’s bad news.”
“He is? Really?”
“Trust me on this. If you and Jared haven’t started anything, you’re lucky. You won’t have anything to lose then.”
Her stomach turns.
“Don’t fall for his stories. He may say he’s single, but he’s a player.”
“Then why is your friend seeing him?”
“She loves him.”
Meghan takes a step backward. “Before you go,” Meghan says, clearing her throat, trying to digest the news. “I have a question about your friend Lauren.”
Keri perks up. “What is it?”
“I used to have a childhood best friend named Lauren. Blond hair, blue eyes, similar to your friend. I’m wondering if it’s the same person.”
“Did you ask her?”
“I didn’t want to put her on the spot. Has Lauren always lived here, do you know?”
“She did. Although she moved to Calgary for a few years and then moved back here. Her parents own insurance companies.”
“I remember her having wealthy parents,” Meghan says, mentally taking note and trying to see any parallels. “They own a place in Costa Rica.”
“So do Lauren’s, my Lauren. It’s probably coincidence.”
“She remembered me. That’s why she didn’t talk. Did she think I’d forget her? We were best friends. We did everything together in second grade. We rode our bikes to the store to buy Popsicles and my brother would let us hang out in the tree fort as long as we wouldn’t play house.” She laughs at the thought.
“Do you want Lauren’s number?” Keri asks.
“She doesn’t want to talk to me. I’m not the same status as her. She’s the rich girl and I’m the average.”
“Lauren doesn’t use her parents’ money. She works two jobs. During the day she works at a marketing firm for a clothing company and works a couple of nights a week at Buckley’s. Lauren wants to work for what she has and not depend on her dad.”
“I don’t know what it could be then,” Meghan says, humming. “It doesn’t matter.”
Keri walks out of her office. Perhaps Meghan needs to stop by Buckley’s one night and talk to her. Find out what Lauren’s problem is.
Keri’s phone is ringing. “I better get back at it,” she says. “Do you want me to talk to Lauren?”
“No, it’s okay,” Meghan says. “I’ll talk to her myself.”
Jared walks around with his phone between his shoulder and ear as he pulls out the milk carton from the fridge and pours himself a tall glass.
“Our family is having Christmas dinner at my house this year,” Jane says. “You will be here, won’t you?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Okay, great. You can stay with us if you want to.”
“Mom and Dad already asked me.”
“Okay. The door is always open.”
“Thanks. Are you sure you want to have everyone at your house? What about the baby?”
“I’m good. I feel good. If I have the dinner this year, someone else can do next year, when my hands are full. Are you bringing anyone?”
“For Christmas?” Jared asks, and then gulps his milk.
“Hmm.”
“I’m not seeing anyone.”
“How about Meghan?”
His heart beats faster. He puts his glass in the dishwasher. “I don’t think we’re together.”
“You like her, don’t you?” Jane asks.
“I do,” Jared admits.
“She’s a nice person and when you’re with her you seem different.”
“How?”
“You smile more, you’re relaxed. . . .” Jane says.
Jared knows he’s far from relaxed when he’s with Meghan. She excites him. He can breathe again after years of trying to be somebody he’s not. Is that why he and Lauren didn’t make it? He didn’t care enough about her to open up and be human. She only cared about the publicity and all the money that went along with it.
How can he get Meghan to listen to him?
“She doesn’t take my calls,” Jared finally says.
“Did you have a fight?”
“No. We’re not together.”
“Then why won’t she take your calls? That’s strange. You must have done something.”
“I don’t recall.”
“A woman wouldn’t refuse a call from a guy unless he did something.”
“Or isn’t interested.”
“Does she have a boyfriend and is blowing you off?”
Jared’s stomach sinks. He never gave it much thought. What did he do? He thinks about when he was in Carolina before the game and she called. Totally took him off guard. What did he say to her? He shouldn’t have answered his phone. He never does, but there was a sliver of hope to hear her voice. He had thought about calling her and left his phone on. He was unfocused that night and it made for a disappointing game.
“I don’t remember our last conversation,” he admits. “I was on a road trip. You know how I get in my own space. I can’t communicate like a normal person. My head’s in the game.”
“Did you call her back at least?”
“I did. She hasn’t taken my call.”
“You care about her, don’t you?” Jane asks.
“I guess I do, yeah.”
“I think you’re afraid of getting close to her because you like her and you’re scared of losing her.”
“Maybe,” he agrees. His cousin comes to mind. He was a brother he never had. They were inseparable as kids and when they both played hockey and moved away from Brampton, they were best friends, staying in touch. They understood each other’s passion and the expectations that came along with playing professionally.
“You know what I mean. You can pick your girlfriends, but you don’t hold on to them.”
“I haven’t loved any of them,” he says, shamefully.
“Not one?”
“Never.”
“How about the one after Chelsea? What’s her face?”
Jared thinks about his brief relationship with the skinny blond who always made it clear to him that she was rich
, too, and that they’d make a good marriage. Jared wasn’t into her the way she apparently felt about him. She took their breakup harder than he imagined.
“Lauren. Not her either,” he says.
“If you really like Meghan, which I think you do, then you have to do something about it or she’ll find someone else and I know how much you hate to lose.”
Jared hangs up with his sister and paces his kitchen. His house is empty. He would love to have a family and fill up the rooms. He can picture the kids running around the island and Meghan yelling after them that dinner is almost ready. Why does he keep seeing Meghan in his head? He shouldn’t, they hardly know each other, but he loves being with her. Maybe being away from home has finally taken its toll. He wants a future. The urge is so strong, he can feel it in his gut. His heart swells as he thinks about the only woman who makes him desire a family life, someone he is sure to love.
He decides to give Meghan another call.
Chapter 15
Meghan changes out of her work attire, showers, and puts on a pair of jeans. She isn’t sure why she wants to spy on Lauren. Her old friend could care less about her, she was sure. But she does want to find out if she remembers her. After all, they were best friends in elementary school. Why had Lauren acted like she didn’t know her the other night? It didn’t make sense.
Meghan heads out to Buckley’s. She’s never gone to a pub by herself before, making it for an awkward evening. Does she sit at the bar? Or find a table and pretend she is meeting someone? Meghan thinks of a plan as she drives, trying to figure out how she should be alone in a place where she rarely goes.
Meghan enters the pub. There are people everywhere, sitting or standing around watching the Warriors play a game. The bar is packed, not one seat is available and tables are loaded with people. Meghan coasts, hoping to spot Lauren or a place to sit. Her shoulders get bumped with every turn she makes and she keeps her head held high to spot somewhere to stand without rubbing up against someone. A burst of cheers explode, stopping Meghan to look up at the big screen overhead. The Warriors just scored, making it a three-two game with two minutes left. She thought by coming here late there would be an opportunity to see Lauren and chat. She didn’t think about the game tonight.
She looks around to find a place to sit, walking in circles. She gets to the bar, waiting for her turn to squeeze in and order a drink. As the people in front of her move away with their drinks, she steps up and orders a vodka cooler from the bartender.
The patrons all erupt in cheers. Meghan looks up at the screen to see that the Warriors have won the game. She puts down money and turns on her toes to see if she can find a seat. The more she looks around, the more she feels comfortable standing.
Meghan walks through the crowd to see if she can spot Lauren. Whenever she sees a waitress holding a tray in front of her, Meghan sizes her up.
She puts the bottle to her mouth to sip and at the same time she gets bumped on the back, forcing her to lean forward and tip her drink.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” a man wearing a Warriors jersey says, putting his arm around hers to gently apologize.
She meets his brown eyes and blinks. “I’m fine. It’s okay.”
“Did you spill your drink?” he asks.
“A little, but it’s fine. I didn’t get any on me.”
“Let me buy you a drink,” he says.
“Don’t worry about it,” she says, smiling at the clean-shaven face and ruffled dark hair.
“Are you sure?” he asks.
Meghan doesn’t move. Not sure if she should accept his kind gesture and get to know who this guy is, or continue to look for Lauren. After all, that is her mission tonight. The more she thinks about her childhood friend, the more determined she is to talk to her.
The man extends his hand. “My name’s Rich.”
“I’m Meghan,” she says, taking his hand.
“Are you here with someone?”
“No.”
“Alone?”
She nods and takes a sip.
“Do you want to have a seat?” He shoves his thumb behind him. “That table there. I’m with some friends.”
“Is there a seat?” she asks, looking over his shoulder.
“Yeah, yeah. One person just left.”
“Okay.” She tilts her head. It would give her the opportunity to spy on Lauren. “It’s busy.” Meghan follows him to the table.
“Game night.”
She sits down across from him and he does a quick introduction of his friends. Meghan looks at her bottle and it’s almost empty. Her eyes are dancing around the room, searching for Lauren. She has to be here. There are a lot of servers and they blend into the crowd, although the atmosphere has cleared out a bit since the game is over.
“Where are your friends tonight?” Rich asks.
“I don’t know. I came here by myself.”
He eyes her as though she is mysterious. “Do you do that often?”
“Never.”
This spot is prime. She can see the bar and the restaurant behind her. It’s a great view. Rich and his friends must have been here early to get a seat. Every television is visible from this spot.
“Let me guess, you were waiting for someone and they didn’t show?”
“I came here by myself,” she says, noticing he has Jared’s number sixteen jersey on. Damn, she misses him. Misses how he smells, the way he kisses and holds his firm hand to her back to keep her close when they embrace. She has to stop thinking about him or at least try to. He’s probably on to someone else by now or Lauren? Keri’s friend? Her childhood friend? It all sinks in.
“Are you hungry?” Rich is asking.
“No,” she says in a daze, piecing the connection together.
He drinks down his bottle of beer. “You really are here alone?”
She nods slightly. “Tell me, Rich. What does a guy like you do with himself when he’s not hanging out at a bar?” Meghan asks, trying to strike up a conversation. She stares into his dark eyes. There is kindness to them and a sense of pride. He’s happy, although she’s not sure why since he’s sitting with friends who have girlfriends seated next to them. He’s the only one single.
“I’m in construction.”
She finishes her bottle and sets it down. With a quick glance at the bar she looks for Lauren. Maybe she’s not working this side of the pub.
“How about you? What do you do?” Rich asks.
“I’m in public relations,” she answers, holding off from telling him who she works for. If he’s interested he’ll ask more questions. She remembers when she got the job, Stu was ecstatic and thought she would have game tickets for every home game. She practically had to beg for a pair to give him for his birthday. He didn’t even say thank you. That’s when she should have dumped him, but she was caught up in the rugged motorcycle-riding boyfriend that he was and didn’t see him for who he really was.
“Do you want another one?” the waitress asks, reaching over her to grab the empty bottle.
Meghan looks up to meet Lauren’s eyes. “Hi, Lauren.” Meghan is staring, waiting for her to answer.
“Oh, hi,” she says. “You’re Keri’s friend.”
Used to be your friend . . .
“Actually—”
“Can I get another beer?” Rich interrupts. “How ’bout you guys? Anyone else?” he asks his friends.
Lauren gets distracted and takes their orders. She then looks at Meghan with wide eyes to get her to speak more quickly.
“I’ll have a Pellegrino, please,” Meghan answers, and she watches Lauren disappear into the crowd. She stares.
She doesn’t remember me as her friend?
“So, you’re a Jared Landry fan?” Meghan asks Rich, eyeing his jersey, trying to make small talk.
“Yeah, the guy’s pretty good. Do you follow hockey?”
“For the most part.” She nods her head, trying not to smile too much.
“They’re having a good seas
on so far. Do you go to any of the games?”
“Not really,” she says. “You?”
“I go to two or three games a year.”
Lauren comes by the table and starts handing out drinks. Meghan opens her mouth to say something, but can’t seem to get the words out. Don’t you remember me? she wants to ask, but as soon as she is about to speak, Lauren turns on her toes and she’s gone again.
Meghan takes a drink of her bubbly water, watching the game highlights and trying to keep tabs on Lauren.
“Is that Alex Price and Mason Ward?” someone from the table asks.
Meghan looks toward the entrance.
“Yeah, it is!” Rich says, jumping from his seat to get a better look.
Already there are people touching their arms and patting them on their shoulders. The guys are smiling, knowing they are well loved, looking sharp in their pristine suits. It doesn’t take long before they each have a bottle of beer in their hands and are mingling with the crowd. A couple more players waltz in and they too have bottles given to them. The volume has risen and people are pulling out their cell phones taking pictures and asking for autographs.
Meghan gulps down her water. “Would you excuse me? I’m going to the bathroom.” She walks through the pack of people standing around, trying to make it to the bar to find Lauren. She spots her taking an order. Her hair is tied back into a low ponytail, her cheeks are flushed and her forehead is shiny. It’s not a good time to ask the question, but when will she see her again? Maybe Meghan will get the answers she needs. It’s too busy to have a conversation. If she can find out why she doesn’t remember her, it would put the obsession to rest. The more Meghan thinks about it, the more troubled she is. What did she do to this friend to make her pretend she doesn’t know her?
Meghan waits so when she turns around she can spring her question Don’t you remember me? on Lauren. It’s on the tip of her tongue. Any minute now, Lauren is going to turn around and she’s going to give her the answer she has been waiting for.
“Meg?”
Meghan swore she heard her name, but is focused on not losing sight of Lauren. She looks to be almost done talking.
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