Page 75 of A Shot at Love
“I know,” Frankie said. “She hasn’t told me everything but she’s told me enough. And we reallydidstart off as friends. In fact, I consider your sister to be one of the best friends I’ve ever had. It just…grew from there.”
Cam smiled at that. “Can I be honest?”
“Of course,” Frankie said. He laughed a little bit and his blue squinted eyes reminded her so much of Jules. “I’d appreciate it if you were.”
“I kind of suspected something was up between you two.”
“Oh?”
“She started spending more time with you and I genuinely haven’t seen her this happy in a long time, maybe ever. Jules didn’t have it easy after we lost our parents, especially not with me and my hockey career being what it was and what it became. It just hurts knowing she didn’t think she could tell me about her feelings for you, didn’t trust me enough to come to me when things got serious. I know you were both in a tough spot given you’re my – ”
“Coach?” Frankie joked.
He laughed again and smiled at her. “Exactly.”
“Listen, Cam. I didn’t plan on falling for your sister but I did and I want you to hear me when I tell you that I will not break her heart.” She said it with conviction, wanting him to truly know and understand the weight of her words. Because if she had it her way, she’d get to love Jules for the rest of her life. “She means more to me than anyone ever has and I don’t want us losing our shot at something great because we’re afraid of things being too complicated. Life can really, really suck sometimes. Don't we deserve to be happy if we get the chance?”
“Yeah, we do.” His smile widened and he tugged his backpack higher onto his shoulder. “Don’t tell her I spoke to you though, okay? I’m going to make things right with her when I get the chance. She told you about the job opportunity?”
“She did,” Frankie confirmed. “And we’re going to cross that bridge when we get there.”
“Good. And just so we’re clear, it doesn’t bother me that the two of you are together. If she’s happy, that’s all that matters to me. I’m sorry if my behaviour made either of you believe otherwise, I really am.”
Wanting Jules to be happy was something they wanted and despite everything, despite their careers and the pressures of the hockey community, that would always be the most important thing they had in common.
“I’m heading out but I can wait for you so we can walk out together if you want?”
Frankie gave her head a shake then waved him on and he gave her a curt nod, accepting the decision. He moved past her but just before he was out of reach, Frankie put her hand on his arm.
“Clarke.” He turned to look at her, his brows knit in confusion. She did her best to hide the emotion in her voice and would probably cry about it later but she managed to maintain her composure when it mattered now. “Thank you.” She swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “For what you said to Neil. Just…thank you.”
Cam nodded, offering her another small smile. “Anytime, Coach.”
Chapter 33
“Oh my god finally,” Sydney groaned when Frankie appeared through the thinning crowd in the main arena concourse with her jacket slung over her arm and her work bag hooked over her shoulder. She looked amazing in the suit, just like she always did, and Jules still found it hard to believe that she’d somehow convinced someone who looked like Frankie to be with her. “We’ve been waiting for like an hour.”
Frankie rolled her eyes at Sydney but she smiled then approached Jules and bent down to give her a tender, unexpected kiss. She tasted like blue Gatorade and the mint chapstick Jules learned she kept in the pocket of her suit jacket at all times during games. The soft act of affection took Jules by surprise but she melted into it, leaning into Frankie’s touch.
“Hi,” she said when Frankie pulled away. She reached up and brushed a bit of lint off the lapel of Frankie’s jacket. “You okay?”
“I am now.” Frankie smiled, sliding a hand around her waist then fixing her eyes on Sydney. “Nice to see you two have become fast friends.”
“Me and Juliette over there? Oh yeah, we go way, way back. We’ve been good pals since we all had drinks together and we even follow each other on Instagram now so the friendship is like, totally offish.”
“Juliette, hmm?” Frankie glanced down at Jules and smirked.
“Yup. And that makes youRomeo, Frank.” Sydney pointed a finger gun at Frankie, pulled an invisible trigger, and smiled, baring all of her teeth. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way, can we go drink now? I need to drown my sorrows because I came all this way just to watch your team lose.”
“Hey!” Frankie scoffed, feigning offence. “I thought you came to see me?”
“Yeah, sure,” Sydney drawled, waving them towards the exit. “That too.”
“Syd, I’m parked at the back in the employee lot. Do you want to take thebusto the bar or would you like a ride?”
Sydney spun around and bowed in apology then headed towards the door Frankie walked through a few minutes earlier.
“She’s kind of wild…” Jules whispered once Sydney was out of earshot.
