Page 83 of Offensive Plays

“Maybe one day, the right man for you will come along. Until then, I’ll continue to pray that you find your way.”

The way she says that, like I’m someone who should be pitied, irks me. But I just want her to leave.

Or maybe I should.

I shake my head and without a word I push the doors to the bathroom, storming into the ball room to grab my purse and let Kesley know I need to leave.

Chapter 25

Michael

Libby is ignoring me.

Not just in public. In private too. She’s left my messages on read. She won’t answer my calls. And I’ve considered enlisting the help of a carrier pigeon to find out if she’s okay.

It’s been a week since she stormed off and left the charity event my family attended.

When I asked Zane and Kesley they told me she wasn’t feeling well. But now it’s been seven whole days and I haven’t seen or heard from Libby.

She shows up to the games we’ve had just when they start, gives Izzy some direction and leaves just as the buzzer finishes.

Tonight, we’re back in Vegas for Game six of the series. If we win this, we move on to the playoff finals. If we don’t, we have one more home game.

I see her chatting with Izzy on the other side of the glass. And decide to confront her. I don’t care who’s around.

I hit the glass with my stick and hold my gloved hands out. “What’s going on?”

Izzy looks at me confused and then back at Libby.

Libby just shakes her head and goes back to looking through photos at the camera.

“Libby!” I yell. “Did I do something to piss you off?”

She looks up briefly as if sending up a prayer and then meets my gaze.

“No, I’m just busy,” she says with a scowl.

“Too busy to answer your phone?”

She looks at Izzy who pretends not to be listening. Libby just glares at me like I committed a mortal sin.

The announcer’s voice comes on over the loudspeakers and the game is about to start. I shake my head.

“We need to talk.” I say to her before skating off.

I definitely did something to piss her off. And I can’t for the life of me understand what that thing is. We were good up until my mother showed up for the event last Saturday. It wasn’t a surprise. We knew she’d be there. But everything changed that night.

Maybe it was me sitting next to Cassidy. But that would be ridiculous. Libby can’t be mad at me for sitting next to another girl. That would mean she’s jealous and she’s made it clear that we are just hooking up and are open to pursuing other people. Even if it’s the last thing I want, I’ve respected that it’s what she wants.

I use the frustration to fuel me in the game. The Spartans are playing harder than they have the entire series. But we’re ready to deliver our final blow.

Zane skates up to me as we all take our places at the start of the second period. “What’s going on, Ferg?”

He sounds pissed.

“Seriously?”

“You look frazzled. And Libby hasn’t been herself all week. If I didn’t know any better…”