Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Malcolm looks at me, fire in his eyes, and laughs. “You have this really great guy? I find that hard to believe. You were always my least favorite. I’m sure it’s the same with him.”
Briefly, his comment stabs all my weak spots, but that’s normal, that’s human. I don’t believe that about Rylan for a second. “Then I’ll be okay on my own. I’m a good person, and that’s what matters.”
With my head held high, I open the door and walk away from Malcolm, feeling stronger than I ever have.
When I get into my apartment, the first thing I do is shoot a message to the Jilted Exes…to my friends.
Me: Just came home. Malcolm was here. I stood up to him. It felt fucking amazing!
Donovan: So proud of you!
Anthony: Fuck yes! You don’t need him. None of us do.
No, no we don’t. We’ll be happier than he’ll ever be.
Me: Thank you both for contacting me and for being such good friends. I’ve…never had that before.
Donovan: You have it now.
Anthony: We have your back. Jilted Exes for life.
I smile. Maybe I shouldn’t like the name, but I do.
Me: Jilted Exes for life…except, you know, hopefully with superhot boyfriends in the future.
Speaking of superhot boyfriends, I have a voicemail to listen to, and regardless of what it says, no matter how much I love Rylan, I know I’ll be okay.
“Hey, baby…it’s me. I’m a fucking idiot. Please don’t hold it against me. I wasn’t thinking what kind of message I was sending you when I canceled on meeting the guys. I want you. I’ll always want you. Can we talk when I get home?”
I smile. Somehow, what I thought would be one of my worst days is shaping up to be one of my best.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Rylan
I’m not sure I’ve ever been so excited to get home from a road trip. It’s been torture being away from Hayes now that I realize what an idiot I am. Clearly, Mads is better at emotions than I am.
As soon as we get back, we have a quick team meeting before I go home. Hayes should be here soon, so I take a shower, then pace my living room because there is absolutely no way I can sit still.
We’ve texted back and forth the past few days but haven’t talked about anything important. I think both of us knew we needed to have this conversation in person.
My heart jumps the second I hear his familiar knock on the door, and I rush over, tugging it open to see his adorable, shy smile. I take in his smooth face and his hair that always looks so neat. His brown eyes that remind me of honey. The dramatic thing happens again because I legit feel wobbly on my feet just looking at him. “I’m in love with you,” I blurt out. “Shit. I wasn’t supposed to say that.”
Hayes frowns. “You’re not in love with me?”
“No. I am in love with you. I was just going to work my way up to that and figured I should do a little groveling first.”
“Saying you love me is a good start.”
I can’t stop my grin from growing. This man is it for me. There’s no question in my mind about that. “I’m in love with you,” I say again.
He looks down, and my breath catches. Is this where he tells me it’s over? That he doesn’t feel the same? But then why would he have told me my admission is a good place to start?
“Really?” Hayes finally asks.
“Yes. God yes. I’ve known for a while now. I’m sorry I gave you reason to doubt me.”
He looks up at me, eyes watery. “You did, but you also didn’t. Part of the issue was just me. Do you think I could come in?”
Oh yeah. Crap. I have no idea why I’m leaving him standing on the porch. I move out of the way, and Hayes comes in.
“I wasn’t thinking when I canceled on meeting your friends. I just got all up in my head about hockey and the playoffs. That’s probably a thing that I’ll do. It’s hockey.”
He chuckles like I hoped he would.
“I get it, I really do, but it felt pretty shitty. It took a lot for me to feel comfortable introducing you to them, and then you agreed only to cancel at the last minute. I—”
“I’m sorry,” I interrupt.
“Hold on. Let me finish. What I didn’t consider is how at times I likely made you feel the same…when you wanted me to meet your parents, or when you introduced me to Mads. I’m sorry if I hurt you. Neither of us is completely innocent or at fault. We’re just…human.”
“It’s our only downside.”
He grins. “So I’m sorry too. I’ll be better at trying not to let my insecurities get in the way. I understand why you would want to wait until after the season to go public. I honestly do too, so it wasn’t fair to get upset with you about that.”