Page 76 of Shootout
~~Jessie~~
My world tilted on its axis. Everything I’d held true about my life and my future flipped upside down with Rick’s announcement.
Being offered a chance to coach in a D1 hockey program was a tremendous opportunity and one I’d be a fool to pass up. But coaching alongside the man I’d once given my heart to, only to have him crush it beneath his feet, wasn’t an attractive option. Yet I knew Rick. He’d treat me as an equal, nothing like the daily battle for respect I experienced with Jonas.
“Well, what do you think?” Rick smiled tentatively and stared directly into my eyes, giving me a window into how important my answer was to him.
“I don’t know. I can’t make such a decision without more information.”
“Ask me anything.”
“This isn’t really the right place or time.”
“I understand.” Rick nodded, and his gaze slid to Banks and back. I watched him calculate how Banks fit into my life. Of course, he didn’t know the extent of our deception. “How about we meet tomorrow and go over everything?”
I hesitated. Tomorrow was Saturday. Banks and I both had a rare day off together. We’d planned on taking the ferry across Puget Sound and driving to Port Townsend for the day.
“I’m in a time crunch. The season’s started, and my coaching staff needs to be in place within the week.”
“That’s not much time.”
“I know.” He smiled that lopsided smile that used to give me goose bumps and set my pulse racing. Then he reached out and clasped my hand in his. I waited and waited and waited but had no physical reaction to his charms.
“I want you on my staff. Meet me for lunch tomorrow, and we’ll go over my offer, and I’ll fill you in on the program at Tyee. They’re quickly becoming one of the premier college teams in the nation.”
I pulled my hand from his. I was well aware of Tyee’s reputation in the college hockey world. A coaching position with the men’s team would open doors that’d been closed previously. The sky might very well be the limit, and I’d be one step closer to my dream of one day being an NHL coach.
“Meet me, please.”
I avoided looking at Banks. I didn’t want to see whatever might be on his face. “I’ll text you. I need time to think about this.”
Rick stood and nodded. He gave me a quick hug. “I’ve missed you. We’d be a good team. I already know we work well together.”
I didn’t hug him back. I wasn’t certain we’d be good together or that we ever were. My previous relationship had consisted of me sacrificing for him, but he’d rarely put me first. What’d that say about his mindset and how much weight my opinion would carry? He wouldn’t be as dismissive as Jonas. I was sure of that.
Rick nodded to Jason, who only grunted. With one last glance in my direction, he left the bar. My gaze swung around the table. Everyone’s eyes were on me. Being caught gawking, the team and WAGs scrambled to return to normal. The decibel level at the table rose except for Banks and Jason. They stayed quiet.
“Banks, I—”
He shook his head. “Let’s get out of here.”
I nodded my agreement. We had to talk. I needed to know where he and I stood before I made a decision that had lasting repercussions for both of us.
Banks and I drove back to the condo building and went into his condo. He sat in a chair rather than on the couch. The slight was obvious. I sat across from him and got right to the point.
“What was it you’ve been wanting to tell me?” I asked, needing to know the answer.
He waved his arms. “Nothing. It’s not important now.”
I frowned and waited for him to say more. He didn’t. Fine, I’d lay it all out on the table. “Why did you make that bet?”
“What bet?” He was being purposely obtuse.
“To make our relationship real.”
“Oh, that. Just a lapse in judgment.”
“So you don’t want to make our relationship real?”
