Right Man, Right Time (The Vancouver Agitators, #3)(94)

“Who says it needs to be thwarted?” Winnie asks. “I do my own thing, and I’m still able to be with Pacey and work on our relationship. We might have ups and downs, but we still make time for each other. Our schedule might revolve around hockey, but our life doesn’t.”

“I don’t know . . .”

“Let me ask you this,” Pacey says. “How would you feel if you called her up tonight and ended things with her? Just called it all off.”

I consider the idea. No more visits to her dorm. No more teasing. No more of her sweet, mind-melting kisses. No more witty text messages.

“Like shit,” I answer.

“Then there’s your answer. You might be scared, doubtful, and not ready, but you’re also not ready to let her go. What’s going to be more fulfilling? Navigating through a new relationship together? Or suffering apart?”

He makes sense. I’d rather be with her.

“But what happens when I tell her about Sarah, and she doesn’t want to be with me? I don’t think I could take it.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Winnie says.

“How do you know?” I ask.

“Because I’ve seen the way she looks at you. I saw how she reacted when you kissed her outside the locker room. I’m honestly shocked that you said you’ve been faking it because nothing about her reactions around you is fake. That girl likes you . . . a lot, Silas, and I think she’s ready to be there for you in any capacity. She’s not going to scare easily.”

“You really think so?” I ask, feeling so insecure that I actually hate myself for it.

“Yes, I really think so,” she answers, then leans forward and places her hand on my knee. “You’re a good man, Silas. A caring, thoughtful, protective, loyal man and you shouldn’t be living in Sarah’s shadow any longer. Don’t let her take away a good thing in your life. Because if you don’t go after Ollie . . . Sarah wins.”





Chapter Nineteen





OLLIE





“What do you think? Please don’t lie to me,” I say to Ross as we hang out in the hotel we’re staying in for the weekend. One of the companies Ross worked with closely over the summer gave him a free staycation trip. So we’re staying in a very fancy hotel in Vancouver for the weekend.

“I think Roberts is going to hate them all.”

“Ugh,” I groan. “But I need to turn in something to him this weekend. I’m already behind.”

“Maybe because you’ve been consumed with sticking your tongue down a certain hockey player’s throat instead of asking him questions.”

“Can you even blame me?”

“No.” Ross shakes his head. “I really can’t.”

“What the hell am I going to do, Ross?”

“Well, I can tell you one thing, he won’t want to hear about snacks at a hockey game.”

“The nachos were phenomenal, though. That seems like a Vancouver secret.”

“I’m not denying the quality of nachos we had at the game, but I am questioning your sanity. Roberts won’t give you credit for your internship if you turn in an article about nachos when he wants an in-depth article on the Agitators organization.”

“Yeah, well, I have zero information regarding the Agitators other than they treat their families and players with respect.”

“So maybe go with that,” Ross suggests. “It might not be what Roberts wants, but it’s a twist on the story. You could start it off with how intimidating the organization is, but you were surprised to find they were nothing but welcoming, especially to a newcomer.”

“Yeah, that could work,” I say, my mind starting to turn with ideas.

“See, that’s what I’m here for,” Ross says as he tugs on the lapels of the hotel-provided robe he’s wearing and then sips champagne from his champagne flute like a freaking king.

“You’re really living up this moment, aren’t you?” I ask as I set my computer to the side and lie on my stomach across my bed.

“I don’t ever get sent gifts, so yes, I’m going to soak it all up.”

“I feel like you’re still on a high from being with Ian Rivers.”

Ross smirks. “That too.”

“Have you heard from him?”

“I have. He texted me this morning and asked how I was.”

“How cute,” I say. “Are you planning on meeting up again?”

“He wants to take me out on a date when they return from their away trip. I told him I’d love to.” Ross stares up at the ceiling. “He has easily the nicest body I’ve ever seen.”

I think Silas could give him some competition, but that’s just me.

“Well, I’m glad you went for it.” My phone lights up next to me, and I see it’s from Silas.

I swipe open the text.

Silas: Can we talk?

I twist my lips to the side, concerned.

“What’s that look for?” Ross says.

“Silas wants to talk.”

“So talk.”

“I don’t think I’m ready.”

“What do you mean?” Ross asks as he wets the rim of his champagne flute with his tongue.