Page 133 of Cross Check

I’m excited to see you.

Me

I’m excited to see you too.

I thought we’d be able to hang before our game, but I’m busy.

Lainey is getting recognized by the NBA team she works for, and we’re doing dinner tonight.

GE

Hell yeah! Go Lainey!

Celebrating friends is way more important than hanging out with me!

See you on the ice tomorrow night?

Me

Just like always, Everett.

GE

I like kicking your team’s ass on your home rink ;)

“I know I’m getting older, but this is difficult to read.” I squint at the dinner menu. “Do I need to order a pair of glasses?”

“Seriously.” Sienna sets the wine list down. “Someone get me a flashlight.”

“Thank you for struggling through shitty lighting for me.” Lainey smiles. “I’m glad to have you all by my side.”

“Cheers to ten years of working for the same sports team.” I lift my glass of champagne her way. “That’s an incredible accomplishment in this industry.”

“And to think I almost quit when I was in box office ticket sales. Look at me now. I made it!” Lainey takes a sip of her drink. “Can everyone catch me up on what’s happening in their lives, please? Any holiday plans? Noteworthy hookups?”

“I slept with a guy who had his own name tattooed on his dick.” Sienna wrinkles her nose. “It’s truly the most revolting thing I’ve ever experienced with a man.”

“Hang on. Like, on his dick? Or above his dick on his stomach?” I ask.

“Is one option better than the other?” Lainey asks. “They both seem narcissistic, no?”

“Consider it curiosity,” I say. “I want to make sure I’m understanding this douchebag.”

“On his dick. Over every vein and ridge,” Sienna explains. “And it wasn’t a short name.”

“Fucking hell.” I shake my head. “So much for ordering meatballs.”

“A psychologist would have a field day with him.” Lainey throws her head back and laughs. “What about you, Amelia? The season is in full swing, but there has to be something exciting happening in your life besides hockey.”

I sip my champagne and savor the bubbles on my tongue, knowing there’s a lot of excitement in my life.

It’s been six months since I last saw Grant, and no one knows that we spent time together this summer. No one knows how much I wanted to kiss him, and not a goddamn soul is aware I have feelings for him.

Carrying the secret around is hard, and it might be time to call in the big guns.

“Okay.” I put my glass on the table and nudge it away. I need a clear head. “I’ll catch you all up, but you have to swear what I tell you never leaves this table. If it does, there could be serious consequences for all parties involved, including me.”

“Did you get in some legal trouble?” Sienna frowns. “My friend from college is a kickass attorney.”