Back to Me (Carolina Rebels 1)

“Sure,” I say before I can talk myself out of it. “Just tell me how I can help, and I’ll do my best.”

Practically the only friend I have smiles big. “Awesome! It’s going to be so much fun. We’ll wear clothes we have to return and get our makeup and hair done professionally. It’ll be great.”

She goes on to explain what has already been accomplished. The game ends without any additional goals being scored. Sylvia heads out early since she needs to go home to the twins. A few of the other wives leave, so I don’t have anyone to talk to. Sylvia and Theresa are are only two who have befriended me so far. Sylvia is definitely the most friendly of the bunch, though.

My mind wanders to my conversation with Vance. Why do I feel bad about what I said? I can’t be that nice of a person. Everything I said was true. Maybe now that he’s let me know he feels bad and is mad that I didn’t tell him sooner, he can move on without needing to contact me again.

“Mere?”

I jump at the sound of Noah’s voice, turning in my seat to see him as he leans down to kiss me. “Hey.” I smile once he pulls away.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.” I stand and take the hand he holds out. “Sorry about the rough game.”

“They happen,” he replies simply. “What were you thinking about? Before I got your attention?”

“Vance called me.” His hand reflexively squeezes mine, so I decide to continue before he can get riled up. “He said he felt terrible, I got mad and said some things, he said I should’ve told him sooner, and I told him he deserved all the guilt he felt and hung up. It’s bothering me for some reason.”

Noah stops us from walking just before we reach the elevator. “If he happens to call again, ignore him. You officially have no reason to be in contact with him and he you. Don’t let it bother you. What’s happened happened. You’re here, you’re with me, and we’re moving forward; that’s all you need to focus on.”

I roll my eyes to lighten the suddenly serious air between us. “I didn’t need that reminder, Noah. I was just answering your question.”

He presses the button for the elevator while letting go of my hand to sling it low around my waist. He squeezes. “I know what you were doing, and you did need the reminder because you said it was bothering you.” The doors open and we step into the elevator. “Catch me up on your day,” he says, making me smile at his ability to change the subject.

“Dinner was good. Sylvia decided to wait until the last minute to ask me to help out with the charity fashion show the women are putting together.”

“Are you going to help?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

My answer gets me a smile. “Good.”

“Sylvia said you would be there.”

“Yeah, they’ll make us go.”

I laugh as we step off the elevator. “Make you? You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

“It’s not; just saying it’ll be strongly suggested we go. There’s three things that will bring all the guys together: hockey, a party, and something for charity. No one will mind attending.”

That relieves me. It’s almost like I’m three years old and can’t do anything without someone doing it with me. At that age, it was one of my parents. Now, it’s Noah. With this instance, at least.

“How was PT?” he asks once we’re on the way home.

His question shouldn’t make me uneasy, but it does. PT would probably be fine if I’d have gone. “I didn’t go. I’m finished with it.” Which is true because I’m done with it, whether or not the therapist thinks so or not.

“So, what’s the plan now?”

“To keep training and get back into shape.”

“Is that a realistic plan? You’ve been rubbing your shoulder a lot lately. The PT thinks you can handle it?”

“Of course,” I lie.

“Mere,” Noah starts and it sounds like he’s controlling his anger. I glance over at him to see a clenched jaw and his hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Don’t lie to me. I know it has to be hard to realize it’s time to retire, but you need to reach that point. There is no use in making your shoulder worse, to skip your PT sessions, and then to lie to me about it. Your shoulder has been bothering you because you’re pushing yourself for something that isn’t going to happen.”

“You don’t know that! If there’s a chance, I should try.”