Page 31 of Defend Her Heart

Yoga class with Sadie? He’s there.

Drinks with the girls at The Cracked Mug? He’s there.

The coffee shop near the arena I’ve come to know and love? He’s there.

Eric Church concert with some of the coaching staff? He’s there.

He doesn’t evenlikecountry music. Well, at least he didn’t. He never used to like pineapple on pizza either. Maybe I don’t know him as well as I thought I did.

And to make matters worse, every time I’ve seen him, he’s been sonice. It’s annoying the crap out of me. I see him enough at the arena, why can’t the universe just give us some space outside of it?

The most frustrating part of it all is that his kindness is making it harder for me to stay angry and keep him at a distance. Each time he does something nice, like refilling my water without me asking, or offering me his jacket after I shiver once, it becomes more difficult to keep my walls up. Which scares the crap out of me. I can’t let him in because I need to protect my heart. It’s all becoming a little unnerving.

I took this job knowing he’d be back in my life, but I was hoping it would just be in a professional capacity. I didn’t anticipate seeing him outside in my everyday life. I’m left pondering what I did to deserve seeing his stupid, handsome face everywhere when Ellie’s voice breaks through my thoughts.

“I can’t believe the Olympic rosters will be announced next month. How is it already almost January?” Ellie asks as she leans forward to grab another chip then dips it into the guacamole.

Katie invited us over to her new apartment for a girls’ night. She actually recently recommended a new therapist for me because it was becoming difficult for her to separate our professional and personal relationship. I appreciate her honesty, and knowing I can trust her makes it easier to trust the person she recommended.

With that being said, I almost didn’t come tonight. But when Tamara asked me to give her one reason why I shouldn’t, I couldn’t come up with one. Even though I’ve had a couple flare ups recently, I decided to join when Katie said it was just going to be a night spent inside with food and movies.

We’re all spread out around the industrial-style living room, exposed pipes and brick the real center point of the space. Even though she just moved in, it already feels homey. Artwork and framed photos line the walls and entertainment center, cute, patterned throw pillows covering the cozy-looking blue couch where Ellie, Sadie, and Katie sit. Sloane and I arein matching accent chairs, and we’re all tucked in around the coffee table.

“Speaking of the Olympics, what’s this mystery trip you and Lincoln are taking all about? You ever going to let us in on that little secret?” Sadie bumps her best friend in the shoulder.

Ellie wraps her arm around Sadie and pulls her into a side hug. “I promise when I’m allowed to tell people, you’ll be the first one to know, Sades.”

I look around at the group of ladies I’ve come to know, and for the first time since moving here, I’m feeling like I might actually belong here. Even if it is where Connor lives, too.

One of the phones on the table buzzes and lights up. The name Hunter flashes at the top, and a picture of Katie and the handsome Bobcats coach fills the screen.

Sadie grabs the phone and holds it up, accusation coating her every word. “Why is Hunter video calling you? Better yet, why is there a picture of him kissing your cheek as his call photo? Since when are you two so friendly?”

Every head turns toward Katie, her pale cream skin turning the darkest shade of crimson. She flips her auburn hair over her shoulder and confiscates her phone from Sadie.

“Who else am I supposed to hang out with now that you and Ellie are all in love, playing house?”

She silences her phone and flips it face down on the couch beside her. It immediately starts buzzing again with another call, and she quickly hits the side button to send it to voicemail.

Sloane grabs her margarita glass from the table, raising an eyebrow at Katie in the process. “Um, hi. I’m Sloane. This here is my friend, Avery.” She does her best Vanna White and showcases her hand next to her where I’m sitting and I wave teasingly. “We are your very single friends who would love to hang out with you. Isn’t that right, Avery?”

The girls all snicker. Katie’s phone on the couch buzzes for the third time, causing her to groan.

“I’m the team psychologist, it might be an emergency. I’m going to go take this.” She stands and makes her way out of the living room, our hoots and hollers of disbelief following her on the way out.

“I wonder what that was all about.” Ellie’s eyes are still on the hallway where Katie disappeared down a moment ago.

Sloane shrugs. “Maybe they’re banging.”

In the few months that I’ve been around this group, Sloane is easily the most outspoken. She is not afraid to say what’s on her mind, no matter the circumstances. I kind of envy her for that.

Ellie pretends to gag. “Okay, can we not? Hunter is basically like a brother to me and Katie is practically Lincoln’s sister.”

She’s got a point. Hunter is the other assistant coach on the Bobcats and is best friends with Ellie, Sadie, and Lincoln. And Katie is Lincoln’s cousin who he grew up with. I haven’t asked many questions, but Katie told me he was always at her house growing up and he moved in with her during high school when his parents were out of the picture.

“Don’t be such a prude, El. You’re banging your boss. They’re allowed to bang, too. Besides, she could totally do worse. Hunter and his slutty little glasses are nice to look at.”

This time it’s Sadie who gags. “Nope. Can’t picture him like that. He’s my twin flame. Please, can we talk about literally anything else?’