The Workaholic and the Realist (New Hampshire Bears #2) (17 page)

A single tear rolled down her beautiful cheek. The strong, fierce Harlow I’d grown to love faded away as she hugged herself, showing me how vulnerable she was right now.

“Oh, fuck.” I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. “What have I done?”

“Go, Keaton and don’t come back until you grow up, can deal with emotions, and learn how treat a woman.”

The seriousness in her voice left no room for an argument or even an apology from me. I stared in her eyes a full moment longer as more tears fell before I hung my head and left.

Chapter Twenty-One

Harlow

When Keaton left, I remained rooted in my spot against the wall. I sobbed harder than I ever remember doing over any other man. I hadn’t lied when I told him he’d broken me. I cried like I never had before in my life.

I hardly slept that night and when the sun rose, I had to get out of Manchester to clear my head. My nerves couldn’t handle it.

I dialed my favorite hotel in Boston and was luckily able to get a room. I sent a text to Meadow, Maxima, and Dacey letting them know I’d be gone for a few days. I packed a suitcase and hit the road.

I listened to my some of my favorite 80’s hairbands as loud as I could stand. Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and so many more bounded through the speakers of my SUV until I pulled up to the Boston Harbor Hotel.

I easily checked in and went up to my room. I shut my phone off because there wouldn’t be anyone I needed to talk to. Since the day just started, I watched the people hustling around from my window. Some heading to work, some leaving, some just strolling, but all of them seemed to have a purpose.

I had no purpose. At least for the next few days I didn’t have one. Well, except food. I needed food, and a shower. Definitely a shower.

I unpacked my clothes and the few pairs of shoes I’d brought. I put my Kindle and iPad on the chargers and emptied my bathroom items on the counter, making sure everything was in order.

I stripped out of my clothes and stepped into a steamy hot shower. My tears mixed with the water as I thought about Keaton.

Everything we’d talked and said to each other. All the times we’d laughed, joked, and teased each other. He made me feel good, and he’d always called me out on my shit.

It seemed silly to be shedding tears over him. Would I consider our time together a relationship? Actually, I did. Even the sex, albeit starting out casual, I’d felt something between us. I thought it was just the way his dick moved in me, but no, it meant more than sex.

Our talks.

I’d told him a lot: my parents, my jobs, and my goals. Hell, I ran to him after getting the new job offer. Normally, I wouldn’t be speeding in my SUV to tell anyone, anything. Yes, I’d eventually tell Meadow and Maxima, but not the way I did Keaton.

My fingers were beginning to prune, and I figured I’d been in the shower long enough. I dried off and wrapped myself in the fluffy robe and sat down on the bed to lotion my body and aimlessly wonder what Keaton was doing right now. Practice? Had he thought about what happened last night? Did he feel any regret at treating me like a common whore?

Doubt it.

I finished getting ready and headed down to the hotel restaurant. I ordered a coffee, a veggie omelet, and fruit. I’d brought my iPad and emailed Dacey, telling her some additional things I needed done. Even though I’d abruptly left, I still had stuff to do.

I checked a couple of my own personal emails, but nothing seemed too serious to gain my attention right now.

The waitress brought my food, and I open my Kindle to read the book I’d started the other day. I loved romance novels, but thankfully, my current novel was blood, gore, and paranormal. Since kicking Keaton’s ass was lawfully wrong, reading about a vampire slayer seemed more logical.

I slowly ate my food, reading intently, until I finished. I signed the slip, charging it to my room, and headed back up. When I reached my room, I noticed it had started to rain. It was perfect for me to finish my book.

And I did.

I decided not to leave my room for dinner, and I curled up in the soft sheets early and went to bed.

When I woke up, the sun was peeking through the small slit of the curtains. I rolled out of bed and looked out to a cloudless sky.

I’m not staying locked up today.

I showered and changed into a pair of comfortable jeans and a light sweater. I checked my phone, even though I shouldn’t have, but my curiosity got the best of me.

Meadow. Maxima, and Dacey had all emailed or texted me. All of them carried the tone of concern for me. I quickly let them all know I was fine, leaving my phone again. I headed downstairs and strolled out into the Boston air.

I was able to get a cab, and luckily, it was a short ride to the Museum of Fine Art. I’d never dubbed myself an art aficionado, but walking around and gazing at the paintings and sculptures could be calming and even relaxing.

I slowly strolled through the exhibits of Dutch Painting in the Age of Rembrandt and Vermeer. I studied each painting in awe of the details and simplicity. The vast variety of paintings showed so many differences and interpretations of nobles, merchants, and milkmaids, among more objects and people.

I, who couldn’t draw a straight line even with the help of a ruler, always thought artist had a super special DNA gene. I included authors in this same category. Painters and authors were in a class of their own in the way they could suck you into their work whether with words or a picture and make you question your life.

I stared at Johannes Vermeer’s
Girl with a Pearl Earring
in wonderment. I’d seen the particular painting before, but never in person. One would think it looked more like a photograph, but there were soft hints of brush strokes. I studied the pearl. It seemed wrong to me. Her face and appearance showed the innocence of a young girl who tried too hard to fit into a world she didn’t belong in. Hence, the massive pearl earring.

Stay young,
I silently told the seventeenth century girl,
because you’ll just end up with a jerk.

I stopped at each painting for a few moments until I strolled into the next exhibit of pottery and clay pieces. They
varied
in time periods, but all were unique in colors, shapes, and sizes. Like the paintings, I stopped at each one and observed every tiny detail.

When my stomach growled, I checked my watch and noticed I’d spent the entire day here. I figured it was time to head back to the hotel. I hailed a cab and before I knew it, I was back in my room.

I ordered room service again and changed into some comfortable clothes. When the food came, I picked at it and started a new book. I should have checked my phone for messages, but I didn’t. No matter how badly I wanted Keaton to contact me and apologize for the way he treated me. I refused to be the girl who checked her phone every two minutes, pining over some guy.

Even though I desperately wanted to. I yelled at myself not to glance at my phone and kept my attention on the food and Kindle in front of me.

Keaton Jaco would not get the best of me.

The next morning, I prided myself for not messing with my phone, and I continued to keep up the good job by leaving it alone.

With another beautiful day ahead, I figured a stroll through Boston Commons would be refreshing since I’d spent yesterday inside.

After another quick, small breakfast, I hailed another cab and went off on my solo adventure. Of all the parks I’ve been in, this area this one was my favorite.

Many years ago, before Dad passed away, my family and I came down here and did the Freedom Trail tour. I learned a lot about American History in the tour; Boston Commons was the oldest park and used for a variety of things.

I made my way through the paths and found an empty bench. I enjoyed people watching. Well, mainly I studied their clothes more. However, today seemed to be a different atmosphere. Apparently, it was lovers and family day at the park.

There were couples everywhere: holding hands, kissing, smiling, and love seemed to float around them all. Not to mention there were so many families. Looking at the glowing mothers and fathers beaming at their children, I knew I wanted none of that. Changing diapers, formula, puke, drooling, late night crying…hell to the no. Plus, I was closer to menopause than anything, and I felt at my age I couldn’t handle it. I barely had patience for smart-mouth Keaton, let alone a child.

But seeing the couples in love touched me differently. The hand holding, the feathery kissing, the love in their eyes…I did want that in a relationship.

True, Keaton and I weren’t exactly the same way, but we had
our
way. The vibrating panties, the sex all over my house, the long talks in bed, it was our way of expressing the love between us.

Love?

There it is.

The light bulb went off in my head and I knew the truth. The arrogance, the smart mouth, the blue eyes, damn smile, and the sexy voice all made me fall for him.

I just hadn’t wanted to admit it, but it slapped me across the face as I watched another ooey-gooey-gushing couple stroll past me hand-in-hand.

I want it. I want to love and with Keaton
.

Just like the slap of love, the reality of our
relationship
came swinging from the other side.

If Keaton wanted the same things, he would have never acted the way he had. Yes, he had to grieve for the loss of the woman who had raised him. The woman who truly loved and for him. I’d told him he didn’t know how to treat a lady, and I was right.

Grieving or not, you didn’t push your way into your
supposed
girlfriend’s home and treat her the way he did me. Only someone who was immature and not ready for a serious relationship would act that way.

Yes, he’d once expressed himself to me, but the realist in me knew the truth.

It was time to move on from Keaton Jaco.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Keaton

The final buzzer sounded, and I glanced up at the jumbotron. I already knew the answer. Game two equaled another loss. At least, this game I didn’t land my ass in the sin bin one time.

Not one person better blame me.

I yanked off my jersey and began to rip off my pads, tossing it all into the bag on the floor. The equipment team had to make sure everything was packed and ready for us to be on the plane in the morning.

“Want to grab a drink?” Remington asked with Kyson by his side.

I shook my head.

“Jaco, what’s up?” Kyson took another step toward me.

I shrugged. I really didn’t know how to tell them how much of an ass I had been to Harlow. They would both break my jaw, and I’d deserve every punch.

“I’m tired.” I finally gave them the first excuse that came to mind. I brushed around them to head to the shower.

I made it to my truck and drove to Harlow’s house. She hadn’t been home since my appearance two nights ago. Sending her a text or speaking over the phone wasn’t how I wanted to apologize to her. Face-to-face so she could see how sorry I truly felt for being so despicable.

“Where are you honey-bunny?” I rested my head back and sat in her driveway for over an hour.

My stomach growled in hunger, and I decided it would be best to head home. I still had to pack for the road games. The flight would be an early one,

Maybe I will send her a text.

I unlocked the door to my apartment and noticed the information for my end-of-semester project strewn about on the couch and table. I jerked off my tie and coat, deciding I needed to finish this tonight. My schoolwork had suffered a bit in the past couple weeks, but this project pretty much determined whether I’d graduate or not. And I had to graduate. It was my goal, and I know Grams would have been proud of me.

A couple of hours passed and everything seemed to be working in my favor to get this finished, and then came a knock on the door.

“Harlow.” I exhaled, standing up and rushing toward the sound. When I swung the door open, Felicia stood there instead of the woman I wanted to see.

“I just came over to bring you food.” She held up a bag of take out. The smell almost made me drool because I was so hungry. “Grams had a note on the fridge saying you had a final project, and I knew it meant to feed you.”

For the first time in what seemed like forever, I smiled. “She made sure I never missed a meal.”

“Very true.” Felicia handed me the bag. “Have a good night, Keaton.”

“Wait.” The word left me before I realized. Felicia turned back around to me. “Um…there seems to be a lot of food here. Do you want to join me?”

Her expression clearly showed me she hadn’t expected me to ask her in. “Sure. Yes.” She carefully and cautiously walked into the apartment.

“I know it’s a mess.” I waved to the schoolwork everywhere.

“It’s fine.”

“The kitchen would be better place to sit.” I directed her to the right where I had a small table and couple chairs.

I began to set out the burgers, fries, and onion rings around the table. “Felicia, exactly how much food did you think I ate?” I could have invited Remington and Kyson over and fed them too.

“Well, I didn’t know what you liked,” she answered sadly

“Right.” I nodded. In the fridge, I grabbed a beer for me. “Um…” I didn’t know what to offer her.

“Water’s fine.”

I handed her a bottle, and we both began to eat in silence. If someone told me a year ago, hell two months ago, I’d be having dinner with Felicia, I’d have called them a liar. Now, here we were.

“Thanks for dinner,” I said, finishing my burger.

“You’re most welcome; I’m sorry I didn’t know what you’d like.”

“Onions,” I said.

“Huh?”

“I don’t like onions.” I pointed to the untouched onion rings. “I’m not a huge fan of mustard either.”

Felicia smiled. “I don’t like mustard either.”

“Something in common,” I mumbled, grabbing another fry.

“What’s your favorite food?”

“Pizza. Yours?”

“Tacos.”

“Really?”

Felicia giggled softly. “I worked at a taco stand and gained ten pounds.”

I nodded. “So, you have worked?”

“Here and there.” Her tone changed from the happy tone.

“Sorry…um…I meant…”

“It’s okay. I’m well aware of my life and what you think.”

“Felicia.” I took a deep breath. Grams’ letter hit my forethought. She was my mother and the only family I had left. Technically, the only who really wanted to be around me. “I’ve not been in the best of moods.”

“The loss. I saw it. But you guys have a chance still.”

“Yes, but not only that.” I took a long swig of beer.

“I’m sure you don’t want to hear this, but I’m a great listener.” Her voice shook a bit. I made her nervous. Of course, every time I’ve been around her, screaming was usually the end result.

“Is it hockey or the woman you’ve been seeing?” She lowered her tone.

Grams must have told her about Harlow. “I’m not seeing anyone.”

“Oh?”

“I guess we broke up or whatever.”

“How come?” Suddenly, she was concerned.

I rubbed my two fingers over my lips, stalling and debating if I should say anything. Then again, maybe a female perspective might help.

“I fucked up.”

“Did you cheat on her?”

“Oh God, no.”

“Beat her up?”

I narrowed my glare at her. Obviously, she knew nothing about me.

“All right. Tell me what you did.”

I caved. I told her every detail of our relationship from beginning until the tragic ending. I left nothing out, and I really should have shut up and given her the abridged version.

“Keaton.” Her mouth was wide with shock. “If you’d spoken, or done that, to me, I would have kicked you in the nuts. I know Grams would have yanked your ear off for sure.”

I hung my head.

“What possessed you to act like that? Blunt you are, but not…” She couldn’t even finish her sentence, only shook her head.

“I don’t…don’t know what to do,” I confessed.

“You truly care for her?”

“I fell in love.” This time I rubbed my temples. I’d said it out loud and to Felicia of all people.

“Does she love you?”

“After the way I treated her, no way.”

“You know, us women can be forgiving.”

“You don’t know Harlow.”

“No, you’re right. However, I do remember her jumping in between us at the garage. She loves you. I saw it in her eyes, in the way she protected you.”

“She’s hard headed.”

“And you’re not?” She scoffed.

I chuckled. “I get it from Grams.”

Felicia laughed. “That I will agree with.”

“Any advice on what to do?” I asked her after a beat.

“She fell in love with you. So, there should be a lot of groveling and presents.”

When I boarded the plane with my teammates, everyone was solemn because of the loss. We needed to get our act together and soon, before we were eliminated. We were down two to zero, but not out.

But right now I needed to draw up a battle plan to win Harlow back. Felicia did say I should be me, and I could do that, but would it work? Hell, would anything I do help the situation I’d put myself in?

My thoughts were broken up when Kyson flopped down next to me. “Hey, Jaco.”

“Wick.” I looked out my window, but I felt Kyson staring a hole in the back of my head. “What?” I asked, not turning around.

“I had an interesting talk last night with Meadow.”

“You knock her up?” I hoped my attitude would be enough for him to leave.

“Nope. She talked to Harlow.”

Her name made me whip my head around. “Is she back in town?”

Kyson raised one eyebrow. “How did you know?”

I shrugged, not answering how I’ve been stalking her house.

“Driving by her house?”

There wasn’t a need to acknowledge him because he’d done the same thing when he and Meadow went through their problems.

“Meadow told me everything. Harlow should have kicked your ass.”

“I’m not disagreeing with you.”

“Keaton, I honesty understand how you feel. Grams might as well have been your mother. When I lost my mom nothing mattered to me. The difference between you and me: I didn’t have the love of my life trying to be by my side.”

I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. “We never said we loved each other.”

Man, I’m a confessing fool lately.

“You didn’t have to say it because it showed. We all saw it.”

I took a deep breath. Dealing with Kyson wasn’t what I’d planned for this flight.

“Hey, you were right there for me as Meadow and I worked through our issues, I’ll be there for you.”

“If you try to hug me right now, I won’t be responsible for my actions,” I joked as he leaned toward me.

Kyson grinned. “I promise I won’t hug you, but I’ll tell you one thing: you’ve got to get back with Harlow. Besides Meadow and me, I never saw two more compatible people.”

I tried not to smile thinking about how right he was now. I should’ve told Harlow I loved her. Hell, I should have just treated her better. Maybe, if I’d talked to her more and told her how much pain I was in, she’d understand.

The loss of Grams carried a heavy weight on my heart and soul. Grams, the one constant in my life, had been the greatest person. She raised me, loved me, sacrificed for me, and only asked I respect her in the end. If she could be in front of me right now, she’d yank my ear so hard I’d have to have a doctor reattach it.

Harlow was right. I had to grow up and learn how to treat women.

“I can tell you you’re going to have to do a lot of sucking up to her.” Kyson stated the obvious.

Where am I going to start?

The third period of game three had to be the longest, hardest period I’d played in my entire career. Hits were harder, pucks were shot harder, and there was more cussing than ever.

And we still lost.

Hamilton broke his stick over his knee, Remington got into a fight with a ref, and I shoved anyone who came close to me.

When we made it back to our hotel, no one talked to each other. Sour mood was a complete understatement. Even though I wanted to go over my project one more time, all I ended up doing was changing out of my suit and crawling into bed.

I had begun my groveling to win Harlow back this afternoon, but when I checked my phone, I saw she hadn’t responded to me.

Had I lost her already?