When Worlds Collide （25）

"You're sure it's OK if I come?" Amara asked as they headed down to the lower-level entrance that led to the players' locker room and family lounge.

"You're with me. It's fine."

The game ended with the Islanders beating the Leafs 3-1. Tyler had held his own. He didn't score, but he put up two assists and was a plus three for the night, which wasn't bad for only getting in 16 minutes of playing time. Ryan was just happy to see the game end so he didn't have to answer any more questions from Amara.

"You know in Star Wars when Yoda just dies because he's just done with answering Luke's questions?"

"No, because I'm not a fucking nerd."

"Anyway, I feel that on a spiritual level after watching a hockey game with you. Read an article, woman. It's really not that complicated."

They approached the security in front of the family lounge, where Ryan showed his Bridgeport badge, and they were quickly let in. Many of the guys' wives and kids were there waiting, and the players were starting to filter out of the locker room one by one, as the game had ended about a half hour ago.

"Ryan fucking Baylor!" A tall, extremely handsome guy approached him and extended his hand.

"Hughesy, what's up?" Ryan shook his hand and gave him a quick hug.

"You here for Hayes, I'm guessing? This his mom?" he asked, pointing to Amara, who made a face.

"There it is," she said, nodding slowly and smirking.

"Uh, yes and no. This is my roommate, Amara McDonough. Dunny's cousin."

"Oh, my bad, bro. I was gonna say, Hayes's mom is an absolute smoke." He winked at Amara. "So, what's up? How's it going over in Bridgeport, man? I was hoping I'd see you here by now."

"Baylor, holy shit!" Another guy made his way over to them, and Amara figured this would be a good time to just go have a seat and wait for Hayes, saving Ryan the trouble of having to explain to anyone else that she was not, in fact, Tyler Hayes's mother.

There were a series of couches and comfy chairs next to the private concession stand and bar, so Amara had a seat on an empty couch. She watched a couple of the players' young kids playing with their toys nearby as they waited for their daddies. She did her best to ignore the unexpected sadness that immediately overtook her, as she thought about the fact that someday, one of the kids waiting would be Ryan's with a woman who wouldn't be her.

Opening her phone in a futile attempt to distract herself, she felt someone sit down next to her. Looking over, she saw Jenna primping into her phone camera, fixing her dark, wavy hair, and applying more lip gloss to her insanely large, filler-injected lips. She looked at her phone, and then lifted it to her face, speaking slowly as she recorded a voice-to-text message.

"He hasn't come out yet. Waiting in the family lounge for him. Probably hitting up a party with him later. Call you tomorrow."

Amara found herself staring at her. Though she'd clearly spent a lot of money to get there, she was beautiful, and it was easy to see why Hayes had fallen for her.

"Hi?" Jenna said, waving to Amara.

She snapped out of it. "Hi. I'm sorry. Jenna, right?"

"Yep, that's me. And I'm guessing you? Must be Amara."

She was taken aback. "Yeah. Um, how'd you know?"

"Just a feeling. You're Ryan's girlfriend, right?"

"Ex-girlfriend, yes. So, you and Tyler. You're back together then?"

"Wow. Don't let him hear you call him Tyler. He doesn't let anyone call him that. Anyway, hopefully we will be soon. We've been talking over the past two weeks, trying to work shit out. He called me today as soon as he got the call-up, and I canceled a trip to Cabo just to be here for him. Maybe this will score me some points."

Shut up.

Shut up.

Shut up.

No luck.

"You broke his heart. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know. I didn't mean to. It just kinda happened."

"It tore him up bad."

"Yeah, well. Shit happens, honey. He'll forgive me. Especially now that he's playing real hockey. He needs a hot WAG on his arm, and I could really benefit from the publicity that comes with having a professional hockey player boyfriend. We're pretty much meant to be."

"Right. Well, good luck with that. Hey, random question: have you ever been to a party at the University of Minnesota, here in the States? Maybe like, four years ago or so?

"Umm, no. I don't think so. Never even heard of it. Why?"

"No reason."

"Right. Well, since we're asking random questions then: did you fuck Ty?"

Amara's eyes shot open, as she let out an uncomfortable laugh. "Excuse me?"

"It's just that he's super-into older women. I mean, I'm like, eight years older than him, but he likes ‘em near death for some odd reason. So, did you guys fuck? I mean, I don't care. I know it would've been after we broke up. Hay Hay would've never cheated on me."

"I…wow." She thought about lying but decided to own it. "Yeah. We did."

"I figured. He's got an amazing cock, eh?"

She could feel her blood beginning to boil, knowing full well this little bitch was baiting her. "Yup. He sure does."

"So, I think it's adorable that you guys are friends or whatever, but I'm gonna have to ask you to back off, K? You had your fun with him, but he's mine. Someone like Ty doesn't end up with someone like you. Honestly, you were way outta your league with Ryan. Guys like this? Go for girls like me, not you." She shrugged. "So bitchy, I know. But sometimes the truth hurts."

"Yeah, it does. You know what else hurts? A fist across your goddamn jaw." Amara stood up, and Jenna followed, bringing them face to face. Amara lowered her voice. "For the record, not only does he let me call him Tyler, but he fucking loves it when I do. He tried to kiss me the very first night we met and then tried to sleep over at my apartment while Ryan was blackout drunk. As I recall, you guys were definitely together at the time. So, Botox Barbie, maybe you're not that special after all, considering I've had your 20-year-old boy toy literally on his knees begging for this old-ass cunt."

Jenna's face dropped as Ryan immediately swooped in, pulling Amara back and stepping in between them. "Whoa, back up. Everything OK?"

"You better control your mother here, Ryan!" Jenna yelled, turning a few heads. "Before I knock her the fuck out!"

"Mommy, are those ladies fighting?" a little girl asked.

"I'm outta here!" Amara yanked away from Ryan and took off towards the door.

"Shit!" He turned back to see if Hayes had come out yet, then chased after Amara.

She was already halfway around the empty first-level concourse when he caught up with her. "Hey! What happened?" He reached for her arm and stopped her. "What happened?"

"She started with me, so I gave it right back. Ugh!" she screeched, pulling at her hair and spinning in a half-circle. "I can't fucking believe he's talking to her again! Is he stupid? What a vapid, narcissistic piece of cheating dog shit!"

"Tell me how you really feel."

"I just don't get what he sees in her. She's so…she's so…ugh!"

"Why do you care so much, Amara?" Ryan asked quietly. "I know why. Do you?"

"Tyler…deserves better. He deserves someone who treats him better."

"You mean someone like you?"

"Ryan, stop. No, that's not what I said. It's just…"

"Goddamn it, Amara." He shook his head. "Stop it. I watched the way you two kissed, the look in your eyes. I've never seen that look before. You can both keep telling me there's nothing there, that it's just sex, but you're fucking lying. I'm not stupid. I know you think I am, but I'm not. You'll never admit it, but you and I both know he's the reason we're not together anymore."

"I don't…I don't have feelings for Tyler. We're just…"

"Friends. Right. Let me ask you a question: if he was 15 years older, would you date him?"

She didn't answer.

"That's what I thought."

Ryan's phone rang; it was Hayes. "Yo, man."

"Rook, what the fuck happened, man? Jenna said Mar went after her?"

"I'm not entirely sure what went down. I kinda came in at the tail end of it."

"Put her on the phone."

Ryan handed the phone to Amara. "What?" she huffed.

"Yo, what happened?"

"If you wanna talk in person, I'll talk in person. I'm not doing this over the phone."

"Where are you?"

"The main concourse. By the Central Market."

"Stay there."

"You better come alone!" she yelled, but he'd already hung up.

Within a couple minutes, he was there, wearing his wool hat and the blue plaid suit he'd worn to the wedding. He approached them and immediately hugged Ryan. "Thanks for being here, man. Means the fuckin' world that you came."

"Wouldn't miss it. You looked awesome, man."

He turned towards Amara and grabbed her hand. "Hey. Come here," he whispered, pulling her in for a hug.

"Hi," she said coldly, barely hugging him back.

"Thank you for being here."

"Yup."

"You're pissed at me. What the fuck could I have possibly done?"

Ryan walked away, giving them their space. Amara stood with her arms crossed.

"What happened?" he asked.

"She's lucky she still has teeth in her fake-ass mouth. You ran back to her? Really, Hay Hay?"

"Mar, don't."

"Oh, I will!" She lowered her voice, knowing they were within earshot of Ryan. "You had zero problems inserting yourself into my relationship, which, by the way, I ended on your advice. She cheated on you, and you're back with her?"

"Who the actual fuck said I'm back with her?"

"Then why's she here?"

"Because I promised her that when I got my first shot, she'd be here. And I keep my fuckin' promises, Amara. Who got my two family tickets? You and Rook, not her."

"She said some vile, vile fucking shit to me, Ty. She's a real asshole."

"I know."

"She also said you guys have been talking, trying to work things out?"

"Have I talked to her? Yes. But as far as trying to work things out, it ain't happenin', I can tell you that."

She stared him down. "I don't believe you."

"I'm not fuckin' askin' you to!" he yelled, causing Ryan to whip his head around. He hadn't wandered too far in case any more shit popped off.

"Well, you better go. You've got a party to hit up, right? She was telling someone all about it."

"Yeah, actually I do. And for one, she's not invited. I was, however, gonna invite you and Rook, ‘til you decided to go all super-bitch on me."

"You deserve better," she said through clenched teeth. "And I don't wanna hold you while you fall apart in my arms again when she breaks your heart."

"Will you let me?"

"You know I will."

"Amara, look at me: I am not getting back together with Jenna. OK?"

"You promise?"

"Yes. I promise. Listen, come out. Hughesy's got a monster house on Gilgo Beach, right on the bay. It's about 35 minutes from here. You and Rook should come."

"Is she coming?"

"No. I'm gettin' rid of her as soon as I'm done with your crazy ass. Part of the reason I wanted her here, and it's fuckin' petty as shit, but whatever, is because I wanted her to see what she gave up. What she could've had if she didn't fuck me over. So will you come?"

She looked down at her outfit, which consisted of ripped jeans, powder blue Converse All Stars, and one of Ry's Bridgeport Islanders hoodies. "I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion. Besides, I don't need a whole night of people asking if I'm your mother. I probably should just head home."

"Please come?"

She sighed. "Fine. If Ryan wants to go, we'll go."

"Rook? Party at Hughesy's beach house. You down?" Tyler yelled over to him.

Ryan knew it was in his best interest to spend as much time with the guys in the big club as possible. Even though he wasn't really in the mood for a party, he agreed.