Where We Belong (Carolina Rebels 6)

We don’t say much as someone drives us to the airport, as we ch

eck in, and make our way through security. My phone dings with a text just as we sit down at our gate.

Collin: Hey. How’s it going?

Me: Fine. We’re all settled in at the airport.

Collin: Good. I think you’ll like Deanna, too. Thanks for letting her go with you. I feel better about it.

Me: She doesn’t seem to mind that she’s here. I guess I should talk to her instead of you. I’ll let you know when we get there.

“Collin checking in?” Deanna asks as she puts her own phone away.

“Yeah.”

“Collin said he wanted Brayden and me to act as if this never happened. Is that because of whatever happened to you?” Her gaze lingers on my eye.

“Not exactly. I don’t get along with Cal and I’d rather he not know I’m here.”

“Oh, okay. So, Collin said we’re packing you up because you’re moving here.”

I’m glad she’s letting that topic go. “Yeah. I’ve had enough of Florida. I need something new and North Carolina is the place for me. I’m thankful Collin is letting me stay with him until I can get back on my feet.”

“That’s nice. I think you’ll like it, and Collin seems like a nice guy. How do you know him?” she asks.

“I’ve known him since high school. I never lost touch with him. What’s it like being a girlfriend to a pro hockey player?” I feel like I should get to know her as well. After all, we’re spending this weekend together. I might as well get to know her to some extent.

Deanna smiles. “Well, I have a lot more girlfriends than I did before. I feel like I gained a second family. Like, take Collin for instance. We have an odd sort of friendship because he likes to run with my dog, so I see him most mornings. I also get to see what Brayden is like around kids because we sometimes babysit for EJ and his girlfriend, Raelynn. Don’t get me wrong. I would still be with Brayden even if he wasn’t a hockey player, but I like the life that comes with it—the people, I mean.”

I nod in understanding, even though I haven’t experienced that.

“Is there anything between you and Collin?” she asks curiously.

My mouth moves with a stutter of an answer, causing Deanna to laugh.

“Sorry. You don’t have to finish answering me. Some of the spouses I’m around are kind of nosy, so I didn’t think before I asked.”

Thank goodness because I’m not sure how to answer that question right now. What I do learn about Deanna on our way to Florida is what she does for a living, more about the other spouses of some of Collin’s teammates, and how she and Brayden met. The longer I spend time with her, the more comfortable I become. I tell her more about my friendship with Collin and even that I used to date Cal.

After picking up my car, we go to a local Japanese restaurant I never go to for something to eat. My phone rings.

“Hey, Collin,” I answer.

“You didn’t tell me you landed. Is everything going okay?” There’s an edge in his voice, which has me worried.

“Yeah. We’re grabbing something to eat before we go back to my apartment to pack. How are you doing today?” I ask.

“Not too good,” he admits. His voice lowers. “Just took something to help calm me down, so hopefully that’ll help. How’s your eye?”

“Black.”

Collin laughs. “I figured as much.”

“I’m okay. Deanna is over here trying to be my new best friend,” I say since she’s subtly watching and listening. Collin chuckles. “I’m not too sure about her, though.” Deanna laughs.

“She’s good, Jules. I wouldn’t have let her go with you if I thought she was a bad person.”

“I know. You relax and we’ll talk later, okay? Have a good game tonight, too.”