Breaking The Ice [bxb]

Chapter Fourteen [Eli]

I ignore him all day at school.

I ignored his texts as well.

Logically, I know he's right and I can't ignore him forever. But I can try. If I can't avoid the worst, I can at least delay it.

Every time I think about what happened at The Lodge yesterday, or the night before at the Ice Arenas, I want to bang my head against the wall until it pierces through. I can't believe I was such an idiot. This isn't me. I'm usually so good at stifling all these stupid impulses. I've had years of practice.

Apparently, not enough.

I sat in James Lowell's car with Owen, Dean and Connor Wong on our way to hockey practice. As we spill out of the car in the parking lot, retrieving bags from inside, a familiar grey Audi pulls into the parking lot. I shove my hockey bag over the school bag on my shoulder a little too aggressively, bumping into Owen on my way to the door. I can hear car doors opening behind me, as Liam and his friends undoubtedly step out of Mackenzie Pruitt's SUV. 

I practically run into the Arenas without looking back. Owen and Dean jog to catch up with me, probably noting how weird it was for me to rush away like that, but asking no questions. They might just assume I'm running away from Natalie. Who, if I'm honest, I'm never too comfortable to see.

Once we're in the locker room, that's my safe zone. I get ready with the guys and, for a couple of sweet hours during practice, the epic fuck-up from last Tuesday leaves my thoughts.

Until we're getting ready to leave.

The hockey team is supposed to go hang out at The Lodge today. Usually, I don't appreciate how long they take, since James is supposed to be my ride and I shouldn't be late to work. But today it gives me a crooked sense of relief. Which is stupid, because I'm going to be with him at work anyway.

The guys flow into The Lodge as a mass of dissonant banter and laughter, and I part with them to change inside the staff room. Fortunately, Liam isn't there.

I go into the dining room and take a round of drink orders from the guys. Trey Coleman says it's on him, so a few guys order double. One guy even orders three hot chocolates. I turn to go get their drinks and my eyes lock with his.

Liam is standing by the counter, empty-handed and unmoving. He usually doesn't do anything around here unless I tell him what needs to be done.

I suck it up, swallowing down on the painful fist wrapped around my throat, and walk up to the counter.

"Need some help with those orders?" He offers, standing beside me.

"I got it."

"You sure? That's a lot of—"

"Positive."

He doesn't leave. I busy myself with the drink orders, pointedly not looking at him.

"You and I should talk," Liam whispers, stepping a little closer. Too close. Too obvious.

"Not now," I mutter brusquely.

"After work?" He tries again.

"Fine," I spit out just to get him to let it go, leave me be, stand a little farther away from me, let me breathe.

For the rest of our shift, he doesn't try to talk to me again. The hockey team gets their coffees, hot chocolates and teas, and then they leave just in time for dinner time. It's a Thursday, so it's not too busy. But it's busy enough that it's okay Liam and I completely ignore each other.

Dinner passes and closing time rolls in, but that just means it's time to clean up. I'll need to wait for Elliott to be ready to drive me home, so I can be here till well after eleven. Hopefully, Liam doesn't have that much time to wait.