It’s not the smoothest sentence that’s ever been uttered, but hockey players aren’t known for their sensitivity.

My eyebrows shoot up. “My deal?”

Saint shrugs. “Yeah, your . . . situation. Everything okay now?”

I relax a little, realizing his intentions are good. He’s just worried about me, I guess, and this is his way of showing it. When my gaze moves to Alex, I can see the same look of worry reflected in his eyes too. It’s more touching than I expected to realize my teammates have been worried about me.

For some reason, my mind snags on a memory of Summer. She told me once that I’m lucky I have so many people who care about me.

“Everything’s . . .” I want to say okay, but the word won’t come out. It gets stuck in my throat and doesn’t budge. After several seconds of awkward silence, I finally manage to string a few words together. “I don’t know, to be honest.”

Saint nods. “That’s fair.”

“Your family? Your mom? How are they?” Alex asks.

I let out a slow exhale. “My dad’s departure has left a huge hole in my family, and it’s . . .” I pause and draw another breath. “Well, it’s going to take some time.”

The guys nod.

“But that’s not what’s bothering you?” Saint asks.

I shake my head. When did hockey players get so perceptive? “Not really, no.”

They wait patiently as we sip our drinks.

“I met someone. Her name is Summer. And I . . .” It’s so crazy, I can barely say the words. “I’m in love with her.”

Saint’s eyes widen at my unexpected announcement. “That’s great. Right?”

Alex tilts his head to the side, watching me.

“She doesn’t feel the same.”

“Shit,” Saint mutters, and I nod.

I wish I could stop thinking about her. Wish I could move on and just focus on my career and my family like I’m supposed to. My life would be so much easier if all I cared about was hockey.

Summer is the one who told me we shouldn’t gloss over things. She wanted total honesty, wanted me to tell her all of it. All the ugly, messy truth. What about now? Am I supposed to call her and admit the depth of my feelings for her? Admit that I feel heartbroken and numb and awful every second of every day?

When I left Boston for Colorado, I was torn up inside with constant worry and guilt rioting through my veins. Now that I’m back and supposedly better, I’m torn up for a very different reason.

I never expected to fall in love with Summer, but that’s exactly what happened.