The Sweet Talker (Boston Hawks Hockey #1) - Gina Azzi Page 0,57

night but it’s not going to pan out. Why don’t you guys go? You can celebrate Aiden’s move. You gotta try this place, man.” I turn toward Aiden as I describe the ambiance of the restaurant and their kick-ass menu. I feel Indy’s glare on the side of my face but I don’t turn toward her. I can’t. Because I don’t want to witness the disappointment in her expression over my cop-out. Her disappointment in me.

“What do you think, Indy? Can you fit me into your busy schedule?” Aiden jokes, glancing at Indy.

For one blink, her expression is furious. Her hurt obvious. Her shoulders tense. But then she takes a deep breath and pastes on a big smile. She glances at Aiden and her anger softens. “Of course, Aid. I’d love to go with you.”

Her words pierce my chest and fill it with anger, pain, and ugly thoughts. But I deserve it. All of it. Because this is what I wanted, isn’t it?

If I’m doing the right thing, why does it feel so shitty?

23

Indy

Aiden’s kiss goodbye glances off my cheek and I dip my head, nodding to his cheerful “see you later,” as I close the door behind him. Spinning around, I sigh and wipe a hand across my forehead.

Noah’s pushing me on Aiden; his being blasé and distant, is beyond confusing. In fact, it hurts. With every one of his intense glares followed by a silence I didn’t understand, a tiny, sliver of hurt, like a paper cut, nicked my heart. Over the course of four hours, my entire chest throbs with disappointment, pain, and a growing swell of anger. I lift the heal of my hand to my sternum and press, hoping to dispel the anxiety spiraling throughout me as I think of my life sans Noah.

This was supposed to be casual. Yeah, right.

“What the hell is wrong with him?” Claire asks, correctly reading my thoughts.

I look up at her, noting the way her arms are crossed over her chest. Her eyes are narrowed, her lips thinning into a straight line.

“You didn’t have to stay behind,” I tell her.

“Fuck that. You’re clearly upset.”

I wince.

“Rightfully so.” She jabs a finger in the air and I manage a small smile.

My favorite day of the year is over and instead of feeling warm and bursting with gratitude, I’m exhausted and freaking relieved. Even with Aiden’s surprise visit and his moving news, my energy is depleted. Emotionally exhausted, physically worn, and mentally sluggish, I don’t know whether I’m happy or annoyed that my cousin is joining me in my misery.

Claire wraps her arms around me in a hug and I drop my head to her shoulder, deciding I’m a tiny bit thankful for her presence. A wave of hot tears tingles behind my eyes and I squeeze them closed. What is wrong with me? I’m not usually this sensitive. This sappy. With Noah, I knew the score so why does his dismissive attitude today matter?

“Maybe he’s scared?” Claire whispers.

I pull back and give her a look.

She shrugs, but the confusion in her eyes mirrors my own.

“I’m exhausted, Claire.”

She nods, tipping her head to the kitchen. “Let’s say good night to your parents and swipe a bottle of wine. I’ll drive your car to your place. We’ll drink until we pass out since your schedule is cleared for Thanksgiving break and my schedule doesn’t even exist.”

I manage a nod and pull myself together to whirl through the kitchen and put on a show for Mom and Dad. I’m sure they’ll see straight through me. I only need to play my role well enough so that they don’t ask questions. With Claire calling all sorts of attention to herself by asking my parents which wine bottle they want to give her, I kiss Mom and Dad goodbye without drawing their narrowed eyes and frowns.

Okay, so I’m definitely glad Claire is here now. Especially because ten minutes later, she drives me home, pours me wine, and doesn’t give me shit for passing out before I finish the glass.

I sleep in late the following day. So late, in fact, that Claire is already gone. However, she brewed a fresh pot of coffee before she left and I love her for it. Even though I slept soundly, it was nice having someone to share a bit of my heartache with. Claire has always been more like a sister to me but I spent my teenage years as an only child, with Aiden as my closest friend. I’m