Chapter 3

Over the next few days, I left early and came home late, doing everything I could to avoid running into Keane.

Then, on Saturday morning, I walked into the kitchen as usual and found a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me.

It was the first cup of coffee he'd ever made for me in five years.

When he saw me freeze, he untied his apron and held the mug out to me. "There's a victory party tonight. Come with me."

"What for?"

"You've always wanted to meet my teammates, haven't you? They'll all be there tonight. It's a good chance to get to know everyone."

My hand tightened around the cup.

I'd asked countless times to be part of his world.

His answer had always been the same. "All we ever talk about is hockey. You won't understand any of it, and you'll just be bored."

Now he was offering. And suddenly, I didn't care anymore.

"Mia said there's been a misunderstanding between you two. She wants to apologize to you."

Whatever warmth I still felt disappeared completely. I nodded. "Okay."

That evening, I took a cab to the hotel alone.

By the time I reached the private dining room, everyone had already arrived.

Mia was sitting beside Keane, draped in his team jersey, her crutch resting against the table.

The moment Keane saw me, he casually pointed toward the empty seat by the door. "Sit over there. No room on this side."

Mia looked up with a bright smile. "Maeve, you're here. Keane, why don't I give her my seat? I don't mind sitting somewhere else."

She offered, but she didn't move an inch.

Keane immediately stopped her. "Your ankle hasn't healed yet. Don't move around. Maeve can sit anywhere."

Without a word, I walked over and took the seat by the door.

As soon as I sat down, Mia poured herself a glass of wine, then raised it toward me. "Maeve, Keane said you misunderstood our relationship, so I asked him to bring you tonight. I wanted to apologize in person. I hope you can forgive him."

"Forgive him for what? For giving you the friends-and-family ticket or spending the night in your hotel room?"

"Maeve!" Keane's shout cut through the room. He looked at me, his expression hard. "Apologize."

I didn't answer. I simply looked at him.

Someone beside us hurried to smooth things over. "Mia's just a fan. Keane accidentally injured her, so of course he's looked after her a little more."

I looked around the table. No one seemed to think anything was out of the ordinary. I let out a quiet laugh. "So this is perfectly normal to all of you? Just an athlete and his fan?"

The room fell silent.

Keane set his knife and fork down with a sharp clatter. His face darkened. "Are you done, Maeve? It was one thing to argue with me at home. Everyone's here celebrating tonight. Did you really have to spoil it for everyone?"

I picked up my phone and stood. "Since I'm ruining everyone's mood, I'll leave."

"Maeve! If you walk out that door today, don't even think about coming back!" His shout echoed behind me.

I never looked back. I pushed the door open and walked out.

A gust of warm air hit my face in the hallway. I took a slow, deep breath.

For the first time in five years, I refused to give in just to save him the embarrassment.

When I got home, I pulled my packed suitcase into the living room.

Tomorrow, I'd be gone.