Chapter 17

It's nearly 8 p.m. and Liv is, as usual, late for our meeting. Johnny's is pretty dead tonight, not surprisingly. It's a weeknight and there"s no Makos game, so it's business as usual. Last weekend's NHL highlights replay on the flatscreens behind the bar with each of the team's rankings rolling by along the bottom and of course, the Makos are ranking as one of the top teams of the season. As usual.

"Another one?" Johnny asks from the other side of the bar. I check my watch, growing more annoyed with each minute Liv makes me wait.

"Yeah, sure," I reply. Leaning my elbows on the bar, I prepare myself for the conversation I'm about to have. Truthfully, I have no idea what to expect from Olivia. She's a hot head, but she's known for a long time we were never going to last, even if she didn't want to admit it to herself. If anything, me telling Coach myself saved her a really awkward conversation.

The bell on the door rings behind me, signaling someone coming or going. Johnny places another beer on the bar in front of me. Pulling out my wallet, I toss a ten on the bar and thank him.

"Okay, I'm here. What was so important I had to miss pilates?" Liv huffs as she pulls out the stool next to me and sits down. "Johnny, can I get a margarita? Extra dry."

"Sure thing, Olivia," Johnny smiles, offering her a gentle nod. Keeping my eyes focused on the TV above the bar, I bring my beer to my lips and take a swig. I have no idea how this conversation is going to go, but I know it needs to happen.

Lowering my beer back to the bar, I clear my throat. "We're done, Liv."

"Ha, you feel like being funny tonight. That's cute, Duke," she laughs. Turning in my chair, I bring my eyes to her, finding her fixing her makeup in her small compact Dior mirror. "I don't have time for this. Can we please get on with whatever was so important that you called for this random and unscheduled meeting?"

A laugh erupts through me. "I said we're done. Done, done. The jig is up. Your dad knows the truth. He knows we're done, that we've been done."

She freezes, her eyes slowly moving from the mirror to mine. "Duke, what did you do?" she stutters.

We spend the next hour talking. I tell Olivia everything. About Carter, about Aspen, and surprisingly, the conversation goes better than I expected, aside from her slapping me for telling her dad without her. Which I have to admit, I expected.

"So it's all done, then? And Daddy is okay with it?"

"Yeah, seems to be. Listen, I know we've had our differences, Liv, but I need you to know, I wouldn't have done what I did, the way I did, if I had any other choice."

"You really like this girl, don't you?" she smiles with an unexpected twinkle in her eye, lifting her glass to her lips. My eyes roll in anticipation for some smart-ass comment toward Aspen about how she's not on my "level." But for once, Olivia surprises me. "Good. Happiness looks good on you, Duke. She's a lucky girl, I hope she knows that. And thank you for not letting my mistakes affect our friendship. I know I fucked up, and I just- I hope you know I never meant to hurt you."

"I know, and it's all good. Shit was meant to happen, honestly. I've come to terms with that and I forgave you a long time ago," I admit.

It's true. Even after the shit that went down with Olivia and I, I still don't think she's a bad person. Sure, she has flaws, a lot of them, but in the end, she does genuinely care for those closest to her. Even if she has a weird way of showing it.

She tosses back the last of her drink and pats her lips with a napkin. "I should get going, but this was nice. Thank you, Duke." She makes to pay Johnny for her drink and I stop her.

"This one is on me, enjoy the rest of your night," I say, tossing Johnny a twenty from my wallet. He takes it and tucks it into the pouch of his apron, offering me a nod of understanding.

"Such a gentleman," Olivia smirks. "Take care of yourself, Lexington." We exchange a friendly hug before she heads out, and I turn my sights back to the NHL highlights on the screen above the bar.

Finally, things are falling into place. Who knew Carter's pathetic attempt at stealing my patch would end up being just what I needed to get my shit together. I still have to handle shit with my parents, but that's the last thing on my mind. Bringing the beer to my lips, I guzzle down the last of it before putting my coat back on. The only thing I want to do now is tell Aspen that Olivia and I are done. I'm done waiting for the world to know she's mine. I'll handle whatever bullshit that brings afterwards.

I see Johnny at the other end of the bar serving up some beers to a couple of older gents and shout, "I'm out, Johnny, have a good night."

"Eh, alright, kid. See ya around," he replies with a salute before I head back out to the cold snowy streets of downtown New York.

Climbing in my car, I push the start button. The engine roars to life and instantly my blood starts pumping. It's been a day since I saw Aspen and even though she's been messaging me, I haven't responded to her. This fucking kills me, but I didn't want to worry her, and I haven't known what to say to her. I needed to figure shit out before I talked to her.

Pulling out of the lot to head toward Aspen's, I find myself still mindblown how smoothly everything seemed to go. Coach wasn't mad, I didn't lose my spot on the team or my captain's patch, Olivia was just as happy as me that the secret was out, and in some fucked up way, our friendship is better than ever. The best part is that little shit Bishop got fuck all out of his master plan. Won't stop me from showing him what happens to people who fuck around with me and mine, though. And now, Aspen is mine.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it. Whatever it is can wait. Seeing Aspen is the only thing that matters right now.

The streets are slick with freshly fallen snow, and even though it's early evening, the sky is already a deep onyx color. Traffic is horrible, but it always is in New York. I crank the music, and Promise by Kid Ink blasts through the speakers as I tap my fingers to the beat on the steering wheel. Adrenaline pumps through me with the anticipation of finally seeing Aspen. Of finally being able to tell her that we don't have to be a secret anymore.

I don't care if it takes me all fucking night to cross the city and get to her.

As I pull up to Aspen's, my phone is still blowing up in my pocket.

"Holy fuck," I sigh, annoyed by the nonstop notifications. Parking, I turn off the ignition and finally slide it out of my pocket to see what the fuss is about. Notifications from the team group chat cover my home screen. Swiping up, I type in my passcode and bring up the chat.

Mathers

Cap? What the fuck is going on?

Stanley

Bishop, what the fuck did you do, man? It's gone viral. I just got a text from Myers, he said Ace is losing his shit.

Rice

Yo, props, Duke. She's a dime.

Fury builds within me as my phone continues to vibrate in my hand. The guys are blowing up the chat with questions and comments. Some are pissed. They think I'm fucking the enemy, while others are congratulating me. Those closest to me are concerned, but it's not me they should be concerned about.

Bishop sent out the video of Aspen and me when he didn't get what he wanted. He didn't care that I tried to give it to him. He didn't care that Aspen would be the only one hurt by it at this point.

"That motherfucker," I growl. I inhale deeply, calming myself before typing into the chat.

Me

You're a dead man, Bishop.

Bishop

Bring it. We both know you ain't going to do shit. I gave you a chance, should've given me what I wanted, Duke.

Me

That's what you think. Turn in your jersey and watch your back. It's a feeding frenzy out there, and us Makos, we're hungry.

Bishop

You can't kick me off the team LOL, you ain't shit.

Me

You're right. But when I'm done with you, you won't be able to skate.

I've been scared before, but nothing to this level. I did everything I could to try and avoid this happening. For her, for us. But it wasn't enough, and now I don't know what to do. The winter wind blows through the street, whistling as it whips around my parked car. It's the only sound in the silence that is keeping me from drowning in my own thoughts.

I thought tonight was going to be a good night. I thought for once, that everything was happening how it was meant to and that Aspen and I could spend the night celebrating with each other.

There's no way she's going to want to see me tonight. I can't go in there now. She'll be traumatized, and I already know she won't listen to anything I try to say to her. It's best if I head home for the night and then come back tomorrow to try to explain the situation.

All I can do is hope she'll hear me out.