Page 50 of Center Ice

I never thought Maggie would backstab me like this. I was a fool to think she was actually my friend.

17

Jake

We stayed out on the beach until the last possible moment before going back to our rooms to shower and pack.

“This should be an annual thing,” Mikey said as he pulled his suitcase into the living room.

“I don’t think anyone would argue with you.” Lance leaned against the wall.

“I’m definitely on board.” I joined them with my suitcase, and we headed down to the lobby. A few of the couples were already there, but I didn’t see Dani.

We had about fifteen minutes before our shuttle was supposed to get here so there was time, but I wanted to soak in every moment with her that I could.

“Where’s Dani?” Mikey asked, and I shook my head.

“Maybe she realized she can do better,” Lance teased, and I shot him a glare.

“Hilarious.”

“You really like her, don’t you?” he asked in a serious tone.

“I do,” I admitted. Neither of us planned on meeting each other and I never imagined actually having feelings for her, but it happened.

I came on this trip grieving and bitter with a pretty grim outlook on life, and I was leaving completely different. It wasn’t just Dani, though. It was getting out, spending time with people, being selfish, and for once thinking about what I wanted. For days, I did only what made me happy, and the world didn’t end. I put myself first for the first time in way, way too long, and nothing terrible happened. I got to know my teammates and the Pride, but almost more importantly, they got to know me.

This trip changed my life. I knew I finally lived up to Mom’s last request. It’s time, Jake. Live your life. Be happy.

She would be so proud. And she would have loved Dani.

That was the reassurance I needed. I knew in my heart that she would have told me to do whatever I had to for a chance of a future with Dani. Now wasn’t the time to be timid or hope she knew what I was thinking. I needed to make it clear.

“There she is,” Lance said while staring over my shoulder. “Oh, no.”

I spun around to see her rushing over to us, her eyes red and puffy. I left my bag behind and closed the distance, taking her in my arms. She collapsed into me as a sob broke through. “What happened?”

She sniffed and her body shook. “It was Maggie.”

I ran my hand over her hair. “What about Maggie?”

“She told my boss a bunch of lies. She’s the reason I got fired.”

My body stiffened. “Your assistant? But how?”

She sucked in a breath and looked up at me. “She filed false complaints. She added notes to her event reports, saying I lost orders or didn’t confirm vendors. She said that I wasn’t charging people for things as favors. He believed all of it.”

“How do you know all of this?”

“I went into the office to let her know I was leaving some stuff behind to see if she wanted anything, and I overheard her bragging to one of the receptionists. They were laughing about it. I didn’t realize Amber hated me, but apparently they’re both enjoying this.”

I wanted to go to the office and scream at the woman, but that wouldn’t help anything.

“Are you going to talk to your boss?”

She shook her head. “He believed her instead of talking to me. If he doesn’t trust or respect me, then there’s no use in me staying here.” She dropped her gaze. “She lied to me. She told me she had a few classes she couldn’t fit in last semester and still another year left in school, but really, she graduated last semester. She wanted a full-time job here, but the only one was mine. So she took it.”

My blood was boiling. “She can’t get away with this.”