“Meg!”
She feels a hand touch her arm. She turns around and it’s Jared. All six feet of him, staring at her with luscious lips and prickly facial hair that hides the small scar on his jaw. He is still as sexy as ever. His hair is touseled, with half curls that fall on his neck. He is wearing a gray suit with a paisley purple tie. She inhales, hoping to slow down her thumping heart. He smells like a dryer sheet.
“Hi.” She still can’t believe he is standing beside her, mesmerized like she’s meeting him for the first time. She is gazing at him. People around them are trying to get Jared’s attention, asking for autographs and taking pictures. He doesn’t seem to care. He is staring at her with those big blue eyes, oblivious to what’s happening around them. Her heart is thumping so hard, she swallows, trying to get control of herself.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” he says, dropping his arm.
“You didn’t ask.”
Meghan bites her bottom lip. She wished she didn’t sound so disappointed, but he doesn’t want her, she knows that. He wants nothing more from her.
“Look, I’m sorry if I sounded a bit short on the phone . . .” He pauses. “I was on the road . . . I lose my concentration—”
“You don’t have to explain.”
“But I do.”
“No, you don’t,” she says, taking a peek around her to see if she can spot Lauren.
“You haven’t taken my calls. Who are you here with?”
“Nobody.”
He cracks a grin. “You’re kidding. You’re here by yourself?”
She nods. “Are you seeing someone . . . else?”
He looks past her, runs his hand over his forehead, and narrows his eyes. “No.”
“Are you sure?” Meghan wants to give him plenty of opportunity to tell the truth. She crosses her arms at her chest.
She sees Lauren walking toward her. “Just one sec,” she tells Jared. “Lauren!” Meghan leaves Jared’s side and rushes to catch up to Lauren.
“Yeah?” she asks, dropping the tray to the bar.
“I need to ask you something,” Meghan says desperately.
“Can I get two whiskey sours and a double rum and Coke?” Lauren asks the bartender. She shoots Meghan a look. “What is it?”
“Do you remember me?”
“You’re Keri’s friend,” she states.
“We used to be friends. Remember? Elementary school?” She watches Lauren fill her tray and then swing it around.
“We used to go to school together?” Lauren asks, scrunching up her nose. “I don’t remember. Are you sure it was me?”
“Positive!”
“Sorry, I would have remembered. I have to deliver these drinks. Excuse me.”
How can Lauren not remember me?
Meghan can’t move, she’s dumbfounded and a little hurt that she didn’t stand out in Lauren’s mind. How can this be? She thought she would be able to put it out of her mind once and for all, but the obsession has worsened. She watches Lauren disappear into the crowd.
Meghan’s blood is boiling. Why is Lauren acting this way? Then, as Meghan heads back in Jared’s direction she sees Lauren sail through the crowd like she’s on a mission. She beelines it right to Jared, touches his arm, and sways her head back and forth, talking to him as though they know each other. Jared is rocking back and forth. There are people trying to get his attention, but he’s having a hard time talking to his fans because Lauren is in his face.
Meghan’s shoulders sink. They’re together. She watches them carefully.
Lauren throws her head back laughing and then kisses him on his cheek. It looks like he is saying something to her, although he is not impressed. She touches his chest and pats it before leaving his side. She puckers a kiss and goes to the bar. Meghan holds a stare with Jared and for a moment she can’t breathe. He is such a player.
He can’t have me at his disposal.
Meghan turns on her heel and passes through the crowd to get to the front doors.
“Meghan!”
She ignores Jared. He has enough people here to entertain him to not even care that she’s leaving, and he has Lauren.
“Meghan! Wait!”
She looks over her shoulder to see the distance between them. He won’t be able to catch me. There are too many people trying to reach him, grabbing for him. She hears her name again. As she gets close to the door, she feels a hand at her back.
“Where are you going?”
She turns around, taking in his charisma. That charm he gives out when he wants something. “Home. You have lots of people here who want to talk to you.”
“Can I come with you?” he asks, his eyes begging.
“I can see where this might go.”
“I just want to talk,” he pleads.
“About what?”
“You’re not making it easy for me.”
“Am I supposed to?”
“Jared!” someone yells. “Hey! Meghan!”
Their heads in the direction of the voice. It’s Rich, waving his arms, pushing his way through people trying to get to them. “Thanks for stopping him,” Rich says to Meghan. “I can’t believe it.” Rich is shaking his head. “Can I get my jersey signed?”
“I need a pen,” Jared grumbles.
Someone behind Rich hands him a Sharpie. Jared signs, and shakes Rich’s hand.
“I have to buy you another drink,” Rich says to Meghan. “What’s it going to be this time?”
“I’m okay,” she says. Jared is taking it in and she can tell he is wondering how they know each other.
“Just one?” Rich asks.
“Actually, I’m heading out,” she says slowly.
“I should get your number and we should do this again sometime,” Rich says.
“Oh,” she sighs. “Probably not.”
“She’s with me,” Jared says.
Rich drops his head. His brown eyes are wide with amusement. “Okay, then. I uh, didn’t know . . . you didn’t say . . . I bumped into her and, and she spilled her drink, so I bought her one and we talked. That’s all we did is talk and now this.”
“It’s all good.” Jared gives him a nod and grabs Meghan’s hand, pulling her with him toward the door. “You let that guy buy you a drink?”
“He was nice.”
Jared swings the door open and the rush of cold air shocks Meghan.
“Nice enough to sit and talk with him?”
“He was wearing your jersey!”
They’re walking faster, trying to keep warm.
“Is that why you picked him?”
“I didn’t pick anyone,” she hisses.
“He wanted to take you home,” Jared says, stopping, jolting her toward him.
“Look. I’m not looking to pick someone up, I was here for different reasons—”
“Like what?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does. I want you,” he says, reaching for her face and kissing her hard on the mouth. His hand stays on her face and she kisses him back, but her emotions are all over the place. Why is she letting him get the best of her? He wants her for different reasons.
“I have to go,” she says, rubbing her arms. The cold air is getting into her bones.
“Did you forget your jacket?”
“I’m parked up the street.” She walks faster.
Jared unbuttons his suit jacket and throws it over her shoulders as they walk in stride down the sidewalk.
“You don’t have to do this,” she says, crossing her hands on her chest, her fingers securing the coat so it won’t slip off.
“Walk with you? I need to talk to you.”
“I don’t need you telling me who to talk to. Rich was a nice guy,” she defends, even though he wasn’t her type.
“I’m sorry, you’re right. I won’t do that again. Were you going to go home with him?”
“No. I’ve never slept with anyone I didn’t know. You on the other hand are a diff
erent story.” She can’t look at him, watching where she is stepping.
His grin widens. “Tell me about it.”
“There’s nothing to tell. There’s nothing between us. Am I right?” She flashes him a hurtful stare.
“That’s what I want to talk to you about.”
“I’m not the type to run to you because of who you are.”
“I figured that.”
“I don’t care what you do, honestly.” She stops at her car on the street, takes off his jacket, and hands it to him. “Thank you.”
Jared takes his jacket and pulls at her arm with his other hand, bringing her to his chest. He wraps his arms around her and lowers his head to hers. Nose to nose, he opens his mouth slightly, but her body is trembling from the cold. “You need to get into your car,” he says, losing his grip.
She doesn’t hesitate. Making her way to the driver’s side, she gets in and turns the ignition, blasting the heat and rubbing her hands together.
Jared hops into the passenger side. “Did you watch the game?” he asks, shutting the door.
“The last few minutes.”
“Did you see the hit on Grattan?” He whistles.
“At the end of the game?”
“Yeah.”
“I heard people shouting about the bad call.”
“I don’t know why there wasn’t a penalty.”
“Do you want me to drop you off at the front door?” she asks.
“You want to get rid of me so quickly?”
“Your friends are waiting for you, aren’t they?”
“They’re not waiting.” He stretches out his legs as far as he can.
“Don’t you need to hang out with your friends?” she asks.
“You want to get rid of me, don’t you? You were meeting someone here, weren’t you?”
“No.”
“Why were you at Buckley’s? Did you know I would be there?” he asks.
“How would I know?” Her legs are shaking from the cold. It’s time for her to rethink her wardrobe and wear heavier clothing since it’s almost winter. “Do you always come here after a game?”
“Hardly. I try to stay away from here.”
“Why is that?”
He flicks his hand up. “There are people I’d rather not see.”
“Like Lauren?”
“How do you know her?” His mouth is ajar.
“We were childhood friends.” Meghan stares straight ahead. “She wants you back, doesn’t she?” A moment of silence makes Meghan feel uneasy. “You want her back, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t,” he says.
“Please, just tell me the truth,” she demands.
He looks at her, holding his gaze. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”
She’s happy hearing those words. “Then why were you there?”
“I hadn’t been in a long time.” He looks out his window. “It’s not a place I come to, but the guys asked me to join them,” he says softly, glancing her way. “I’m glad you were here tonight. You’ve been on my mind.”
Meghan can’t help the sense of pleasure it gives her to hear that he’s thinking of her.
Jared rubs his hand on his thigh. His fingers stop and they tap his leg. “I wanted to tell you that we should see more of each other.” He clears his throat.
She lets out a breath.
“You don’t want to?” he asks.
“It’s not that.”
“What is it?”
“I can’t be that girl, you know? The one who’s at your beck and call whenever you’re lonely. The one who jumps every time you call. It’s not me. I’m sorry if I gave you that impression.”
“What do you want?” he asks.
She swallows.
I want you to be in my life, but I know it’s not possible.
“I’ll admit, I like being with you . . . there can’t be anything more between us. You’re different, but you want other things.”
“What other things? What are you talking about?”
“Someone I know told me—” Meghan looks away. She promised she wouldn’t say anything, but how can she not? Meghan knew it would affect their relationship whatever it may be.
“Who told you what?” he demands.
“I shouldn’t say.”
“It’s a little late for that.”
Meghan presses her hand against the steering wheel, looking out into the darkness. She sees only the outline of the car parked in front of her.
“You’re not the type to settle down,” Meghan says. “Not that it matters. You’re serious with Lauren.”
“Who said? That’s not true.”
“I’m not looking to settle down right now,” she corrects. “It’s just that, if you’re not interested in one girlfriend, then—” Meghan pauses. “Then I’m not that girl.”
There. She said it. She can move on now and be happy with herself. Why does she feel incomplete?
“I just want us to hang out again. Go out for dinner. See some sights. Watch a movie,” he says.
“You do those things?” she asks, and then smiles.
“I do get out from time to time,” he says. His lips resume their tightness and he asks, “What did this person tell you?”
“I should be careful. You have expectations.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You can’t keep promises.”
He throws his head back against the seat. “Promises are potential lies.”
“You don’t commit to anybody.”
“I have my own agenda.”
“You like your freedom.”
“I’ve never had reason not to like it,” he says.
“You’ve had your heart broken and you don’t want to get too close to someone.”
“Not anymore.”
“Is that true?” She is skeptical. Guys won’t admit when they are broken. Her older brother was dumped by the girlfriend he had planned to marry. She was the one until she told him she was seeing someone else. He was so crushed, he stayed home for weeks because he didn’t want to talk to anyone unless he was forced to. The thought of doing anything alone scared him and he lost touch with who he was. He didn’t know it at the time, but had he not been dumped he wouldn’t have met his wife, and they wouldn’t have had their two children.
Jared, on the other hand, is a different breed altogether. Meghan thinks it would take a lot for him to be crushed. Although his voice is mild and stays at a monotone level, he’s strong, both physically and mentally. He has to be, playing the sport he does. Getting yelled at during practice and being told to fight when he doesn’t want to. She only knows this because these rumors float around the office from time to time about all the players. If they’re not performing the best they can, there are trade talks or there’s the possibility of being benched in a game.
“What do you say we get outta here?” Jared asks.
“Where to?”
“Your house.” His voice is sweet like cotton candy.
“Did you drive here?”
“I can grab my car.”
“I’ll drop you off where you parked.”
She’s not sure why she agrees for him to come back to her place. She doesn’t want to sleep with him, afraid these feelings she has won’t go away.
“I have a better idea,” she says. “Let’s go for a drive.”
“Am I driving or you?”
“Me.”
Jared’s look is mysterious with a cocky raised chin and glazed-eyed stare as though he can’t quite figure out what she’s up to.
“You don’t want to ride in a Fiat?” she says, and laughs, starting up the ignition.
“I guess I better buckle up.” He pulls his seat belt over him as she pulls away from the curb. “Where are you taking me?”
“I don’t know. Any ideas?”
“Your place sounds good,” he says.
She grins as though responding to his humor. “We should do something else.” She wants to get to know him.
>
“What do you have in mind?”
“It’s a clear night. I know somewhere we can go. You probably haven’t been out of Vancouver much.”
“Not much.” He rests his head back, making himself comfortable.
“Where have you been?” she asks, watching the road carefully.
Jared taps his lap. “Probably the usual places, Richmond—”
“Because of the airport.” She nods her head as though that’s an obvious one. Her fingers lift from the steering wheel.
“Been to Surrey.”
“Okay.”
Jared’s quiet.
“Anywhere else?” She looks over.
“Yeah . . . I’ve been to Cultus Lake.”
“Okay, you have been out of the city. That’s a long drive for you. Was that in the summer?”
“No, ten years ago.”
“You were visiting?”
“Yup.”
“When you lived in Brampton? Why did you choose there?”
“I didn’t.” His voice becomes harder. “I was eighteen.” Jared swallows and looks out his window. He’s gazing as though trying to recall where he is. Just when Meghan thinks he’s stopped talking, he picks up where he left off. “My cousin was playing his junior year in Vancouver . . . I was playing in Seattle. I stayed here before making my way to Seattle and getting settled with my billet family.” Jared rests his elbow on the door and rubs his hand along his chin.
Meghan breathes deeply as though she is about to hear something terrible that he doesn’t share with anyone. She wants to tell him he doesn’t have to go on. He doesn’t have to revisit whatever it is that is weighing on his mind. If there is tragedy or a heroic story he needs to tell her, she is all ears. She’s a good friend. Regardless where their relationship is going, she is still loyal. He can count on her.
“Luke was invited to stay at Corey Wells’s cabin. They were teammates.” He pauses, collecting his thoughts. “Luke asked me to come along. It was supposed to be the last getaway before we started training camp. We wanted to have a weekend we’d never forget. Corey had a boat. His parents encouraged us guys to go fishing for trout.” Jared rubs his chin before speaking. He clears his throat. “I was at the campsite talking to a group of people when I heard screaming coming from the water. . . .” He pauses. “I ran to the shoreline.” He stops, looks out his window and then straight ahead. “I saw Corey jump from the boat into the water. I didn’t see Luke. . . .” Jared swallows hard. He takes a moment. “I haven’t told this story in a long time,” he utters.
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