Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(62)

Grabbing my Flyers jersey, I pulled it over my head. Shane and Amanda had offered us the two extra tickets they had for the game that night before Adam and I had our disagreement over his failing to tell Eva about our relationship. I hadn't seen him since and wasn't completely sure how tonight was going to go. Guess I'll find out soon enough. I was reaching for my jeans, the ones that cupped my ass perfectly, when my phone rang. I looked down at the caller ID and smiled. “Hey. Can’t make it another hour without talking to me?”

Adam exhaled a loud breath. “Hey, baby.”

My posture straightened and my brow furrowed with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Eva’s sick. She came home from school complaining about her stomach, but I figured she was just being dramatic. Then the puking started. I can’t leave her like this. I’m sorry.”

Disappointment crept through my veins, even though I tried to stave it off. I knew I couldn’t be pissed because he was a good father who didn’t ditch his sick kid so that he could go to a hockey game with his girlfriend. But, for a shameless second, I kind of wished he was more of a scumbag. “No need to apologize, Adam. I completely understand that you need to be with Eva. No worries.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Mad that you’re a responsible father who loves his daughter? I find it simply infuriating,” I said with a laugh.

“Guess these are the downsides of dating a guy with a child.”

“Will you stop? It’s no big deal.”

He hesitated a moment before continuing. “So, what will you do with the extra ticket?”

The slightly detached tone of his voice made me think that he was trying to unsuccessfully mask his clear interest in my answer. I couldn’t help but feel like I was being tested. And while I may have deserved to be tested, it still pissed me off. I took some relaxing breaths before responding. “They’re Amanda’s tickets. I’ll call her and see if she has anyone else who wants to go. It may be a tough sell on a weeknight, but tomorrow’s Friday, so maybe someone won’t mind being tired for just one day.” Despite my trying to rein in my emotions, I couldn’t keep the coolness from my voice.

“Oh, okay. Sounds good. Listen, I better go, but have fun tonight. I’ll miss you.”

His sweet words thawed me enough to respond genuinely. “I’ll miss you too. Let me know if you need anything.”

We said our goodbyes and disconnected the call. I stared down at the phone in my hand, doubt crawling into me. When Adam and I were together, it felt so right. Even with the weird moments that passed between us and the sense of something lacking, I still felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. But when we were apart, I couldn't help but think about the negatives. Though, no relationship came without its issues. If we could get through last spring, we could get through this. Couldn't we?

“Time will tell,” I muttered to myself. I quickly scrolled through my contacts and hit Amanda’s name.

“No, you cannot f*ck Adam on center ice. It’s totally inappropriate.”

I laughed loudly at Amanda’s unorthodox greeting. This is why I love this crazy girl. “Are you really one to judge the inappropriateness of something?”

“Are you?” she countered.

“No, probably not.”

“Definitely not. Now what do you want, hooker? We’re leaving in about fifteen minutes to pick you guys up.”

“Well, see, that’s the problem. Adam isn’t coming.”

“Why not? Jesus Christ, you’re not f*cking one of the Flyers are you?”

“I truly hate you. Like from the depths of my being.” I sighed. “Eva’s sick, so he has to stay home with her.”

“Damn kids. They ruin everything.”

I shook my head at her insensitivity, but not without acknowledging that I had thought something very similar only five minutes prior.

“Do you know anyone else who’d want to go? It’d suck to lose money on the ticket.”

“I dunno. Let me call around. We’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay.” I hung up and finished getting ready, hoping Amanda didn’t invite some whacko just to f*ck with me.

Twenty minutes later, my cell phone lit up with a text: We’re here.

I grabbed my clutch, locked the apartment, and made my way out to Shane’s car.

My reticence at who Amanda would call to join us abated as soon as I saw the figure leaning out of the back window, waving at me like a lunatic. Kyle.

Kyle and Amanda were f*ck buddies before she started dating Shane and Kyle started dating Shane’s co-worker Kate. Though, to my knowledge, the specifics of Kyle and Amanda’s relationship were not common knowledge to their current significant others.

The door to Shane’s Mustang flew open as Kyle yelled, “Ah, my princess has finally arrived. And she’s wearing a Flyers jersey. Be still my heart.”

“You’re such an *,” I giggled and drew him into a hug.

“What’s up, Lily?” Shane greeted.

“Hey, Shane,” I replied warmly before turning back to Kyle. “Thanks for filling in tonight. I was worried I was going to be the odd man out.”

“Yeah, Amanda called and said your boyfriend had stood you up and you needed a big dick to cheer you up.”