Page 22 of Hot Shot
“Fine. Just tired.”
“You sure?” Brody asks as we head to the locker room.
I take a pull from my water bottle before answering his question. Not sure how much, or what, I want to tell him.
“What’s going on?” Wes asks, coming up on the other side of me and saving me from Brody’s question.
“Nothing.” I narrow my eyes at Wes and shake my head, hoping he gets the hint to drop it.
“Bullshit, I’ve seen the way you’ve been at practice today.”
“It’s nothing. I’m tired. Leave it.” I say through gritted teeth as I yank open the door.
“Hunter,” Wes repeats, following me to our stalls, which unfortunately are next to each other.
“I’m fine,” I repeat, sitting down on the bench.
“What’s going on?” Holt asks, dropping down next to me.
“For fuck’s sake. Can’t a guy have an off day,” I bark out, yanking off a skate. My voice comes out louder than I meant it to, and half the locker room turns to stare at me.
Shit.
“Nothing.” I wave my hand around. “Ignore me.” Most of the team thankfully go back to their conversations but Caleb and Brody walk up.
“You okay?” Caleb asks.
I pull off my other skate with a sigh. What do I tell these guys? I know they mean well, but I really don’t feel like getting into it right now.
“It’s . . .” I lean my head back against the wall, closing my eyes.
“Problems with your woman?” Wes supplies, watching me.
“You could say that. But she’s not my woman,” I mumble, staring down at my hands but not before I catch Caleb and Brody exchanging glances.
“What happened?” Holt asks joining the conversation.
“I told her I play for the Storm. That didn’t go well. She has a thing against hockey players,” I say, tugging my practice jersey over my head.
“She has a thing against hockey players?” Caleb scratches his head. “Did she say why?”
“Not really.”
“That sucks, man,” Wes says, clapping me on the shoulder. “Maybe I was wrong and she isn’t your one.”
“If it was meant to be, it’ll work itself out,” Holt adds, turning back to his stall.
“If you want to talk, I’m here,” Caleb says. “Not sure I can help you with this particular situation, but Jenna and I had a rough start and we worked out. Like Holt says, if it’s meant to be, it’ll figure itself out.”
Brody mumbles something about understanding unrequited love. I want to ask him what he means, but he’s already walking away. I sigh and finish undressing. Grabbing my towel, I head for the showers.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Want to come over for dinner?” Wes asks from behind me.
“I’ll be alright. Thanks. I think I’m going to lay low tonight.” I step into the shower and let the hot water flow over my body, hoping that maybe it will help wash away the pain of Madison’s rejection.
Fifteen minutes later, I step out of the shower. I purposely took my time in hopes that everyone—or at least everyone that wanted to talk to me—would be gone and thankfully they are. I don’t know why I’m this upset over some woman. I barely knew her.
But you felt something for her, and she liked you for you. She liked you before she knew you played hockey.
