Page 6 of Defend Her Heart

You are better off without him.

“Avery.”

Connor’s voice is softer this time, pleading even. As much as I don’t want to, I’m desperate to look at him again and hear what he has to say next. Opening my eyes slowly to ensure no tears spill, I finally turn my body to give Connor my full attention and get this conversation over with.

“What is it, Connor? I’d like to go meet my coworkers and introduce myself before they start calling me ‘the girl who almost fainted at a barbecue.’”

“Coworkers?” Confusion coats every syllable, as if Connor has no idea I work for his team now. Does he really not know?

Lifting one leg so it’s resting in front of me on the bench, I clasp my hands together and rest them on top.

“Um, yeah. Didn’t Ellie tell everyone I’m the new play-by-play commentator for your team? I thought that’s why she invited me here.”

I watch as the realization finally sinks in. Connor’s shoulders slowly relax and the corner of his mouth tips up. He’s failing miserably to hide a smirk, and I wish he’d do a better job of it because I may not like this man anymore, but there’s no denying how handsome he is. His dark brown hair is cut short on the sides with it a little longer on the top. It sits textured and a little unruly, the front pushed up the slightest bit. I always envied how pretty Connor was. He literally canuse barely any product, run his hands through his hair, and look like he just walked off the cover of GQ magazine.

Trying to do my best to go unnoticed, I quickly take in the rest of him. His sharp-cut jawline is as perfect as ever, but I’m seeing it for the first time covered in a dusting of facial hair. It’s not a beard by any means but it makes him look rugged and rough around the edges, just like he plays on the ice. I wonder if it’s soft or scratchy?

Before I can contemplate that question any further, Connor’s small smirk stretches into a full-blown smile. God, he has a lovely smile.

Wait. Why is he smiling?

My gaze shoots up from his jawline to his eyes and the look he’s giving me tells me he knows I was checking him out. His cocky attitude is a nice reminder that this man infuriates me, and no matter how handsome he is, I can never go there again.

“She did mention our new commentator played for Wisconsin, but I didn’t think it would be you. I never imagined you would leave St. Louis…”

His words trail off, and I watch as his expression changes in the blink of an eye. Tight jaw, flexing, as if it’s a struggle to get the next words out.

“Or Bryan.”

And now I understand why he was probably grinding his teeth. The mention of my ex-husband sends a chill down my spine and I immediately shut down.

I don’t want to talk about Bryan. Especially not with Connor.

Doing my best to find the confident woman I once was, I steal my spine and fake it until I can no longer make it.

“Well, that’s because you don’t know me anymore, Connor.”

Connor rears back like I’ve physically slapped him. If it were anyone else, I might feel bad. Buthedid this. He endedour relationship a decade ago. He showed up to all of the summer reunions with our high school friends and acted like nothing ever happened. He left me behind and started a new life. Then, he completely walked away two years ago and never looked back.

I swing my legs over the bench and stand up from the picnic table. When I turn to grab my cup and purse, Connor reaches out and grabs my hand.

His palm settles against mine. Warm, steady, too achingly familiar. His fingers are rough against my skin, calloused in a way that makes my chest tighten before I can stop it.

“Avery, wait. You should sit down. You almost f?—”

Rage cuts through the moment like a blade. I yank my hand back. “No. You don’t get to tell me what to do. You don’t know what’s best for me, and you don’t get to act like you care. You’ve made it very clear you want nothing to do with me, so let’s not pretend things are different just because I’m working for the team now.”

My pulse is hammering. Not just from my anger or health, but from him. From the way his hand had felt like it still belonged there for half a second too long, messing with my emotions and mind.

I force myself to grab my things, wiping the sensation off my skin like I can erase it.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, there are some people I’d like to meet.”

“He didnotpoint to you while singing‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.’” Ellie chokes out a laugh while attempting to wipe up the drink she just spewed everywhere.

Sloane’s expression doesn’t change. As serious as a judge in court, she looks Ellie straight in the eye. “Does it look likeI’m joking, Ellie? When he was done with the song, he knelt in front of me and offered me an origami flower.”

This time it’s Sadie who regurgitates her drink, but instead of spitting it out like Ellie, hers comes flying out of her nose.