Page 33 of Center Ice

“I hope so.” I wish I knew for sure. Was she watching over me, shaking her head? Did she think my beliefs were wrong? They weren’t something I talked about with her. I didn’t ever want her worrying about me, but if she stayed single after her divorce, she had to agree with me. Right?

Of the million things I regretted not asking her, that was at the top of the list. I never brought up my dad because I knew it was a difficult topic for her, but I should have asked instead of letting myself assume. I wished I could have asked her why she never dated again. Was she as bitter as I was?

What if I was holding onto something she’d let go of twenty years ago?

I never considered that, but with Dani looking up at me, I had to wonder. Was I in the wrong? It felt like I was taking my mom’s side when I decided none of the happily ever afters could be real. After all, if someone as wonderful and loving as my mom could be left, then how would I ever find someone to love me forever?

“I should get back to work.” She pulled away, and this time I didn’t stop her. I thought she could tell my thoughts were racing. “Thanks for the dance.”

I nodded and watched her walk away.

Was this all I would do for the rest of my life? Watch people leave? I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be right about love. I wanted all my friends to have long, blissful marriages. I wanted Wyatt and Kendall to have the life they so deserved. I wanted Noah and Colby to grow old together.

I didn’t want to be a bitter man with a chip on his shoulder, but I didn’t know how to start believing.

* * *

“You and the wedding planner looked pretty cozy last night,” Erik called as I approached the group.

Two steps onto the sand, and the teasing had commenced. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get through the whole day without someone mentioning me and Dani, but I was hoping for at least a few hours of peace.

I lay back on an empty chair and ignored him.

“Come on, what’s going on with you two?” Reese asked.

I closed my eyes behind my sunglasses.

“She left before anything good could have happened,” Mikey added helpfully.

“And he came in alone last night. Early too,” Lance pipped in.

Thanks for clearing that up, guys.

“We know you can hear us,” Wyatt said.

They weren’t going to leave me alone, so I sat up. “Where are the girls?”

“Shopping. Don’t try to change the subject.” Erik smirked.

I sighed. “Nothing’s going on with us. We’ve just talked a few times, and I asked her to dance. That's it.”

“It looked like more. There was something intense about it,” Noah said from my other side.

He was right, but I wasn’t going to admit that. “She’s given me a lot to think about.”

“What?” Reese pressed.

I didn’t want to share everything we talked about, and the things with my mom were too personal. “I’ve never believed in love or marriage, and she’s said a few things that have made me reconsider.”

Wyatt held up a hand. “You don’t believe in love or marriage? You’re just going to drop that bomb and move on?”

Noah laughed. “Yeah, I mean Wyatt was married like twelve hours ago, and I get married tomorrow. Are you saying you think it’s wrong?”

“No, not at all. It’s great for you guys, and I honestly wish you the best.”

“But you don’t think we’ll make it?” Wyatt finished.

I shrugged. “Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce.”