Claimed By My Ex's Rival Hockey Captain

too late

Bailey

The flight back to Michigan felt endless. My body was in the seat, but my mind was stuck in that bedroom in Chicago, replaying the sounds, the smirk, the way Nolan had looked at me as if I were nothing.

After seven years of dating and giving it all in our relationship, I was slapped with betrayal and mockery.

I had grabbed my hand bag, booked a flight to Michigan with trembling hands. I didn't look back. I had nothing to look back to. Nolan was the reason I moved to Chicago to begin with and with our relationship shattered, I couldn't stay there.

Three years of devotion were reduced to an ugly joke by his betrayal. The man who has vowed to always love me looked me in the eye and said that my love was suffocating him, that I couldn't offer him anything.

By the time the plane landed, it was already morning.

I shuffle down the aisle with nothing but the bag I had grabbed in my rush to escape the bitter reality my life has unraveled into.

Stepping out into the cool Michigan air, the familiar scent of home wraps around me. For the first time in months, I let myself breathe.

I hail a cab and head to the one place I know I can get what I desperately need right now, comfort.

When the car stops at the familiar neighborhood, I sigh heavily, pay the driver and step out.

As the car zooms away, I approach the apartment before me.

Minutes later, I am standing outside Talia's house, ringing the bell like my life depends on it. I don't need to wait for long before the door is opened and Talia stands before me, her eyes still sleepy and hair disheveled. It's clear as day that I interrupted her sleep.

“Bailey…” Her voice cracks, a frown sitting on her pretty face as she scans me.

I don't say a word or move as she takes me in. I know I look like a mess. I didn't get to change my clothes or take a shower.

Talia doesn't ask any questions and I am grateful for that.

She steps aside and ushers me inside. My legs feel heavy as I step into her small apartment.

“You look like you’ve been through hell.” She comments from behind me.

Her words trigger the tears I have been fighting to hold back. I sniff to keep them at bay.

I can see the worry painted all over her questions and I am not adding to that by breaking down in front of her even when it's everything I want to do.

“ Can I take a shower?” I ask, my back facing hers.

“ Of course you can. You don't need to ask.”

I don't say another word as I take the familiar path to her bathroom.

I strip down to my last cloth and step into the shower cabin.

The hot water streams down over me, rinsing off the stench of heartbreak. I lean my forehead against the tile, tears slipping free at last.

I slap my hand on my mouth to muffle the sobs tearing through my lips.

By the time I step out wrapped in Talia’s fluffy robe, my limbs tremble but at least I feel human again.

The smell of fresh coffee draws me into the kitchen. Talia is at the table, two steaming mugs waiting.

When she spots me, she pats the seat across from her with a smile on her face.

Two sips later, she sets the cup on the table, top loud that I know what's bound to follow.

“ Bailey, I don't want to be nosy but what the hell happened? You were fine yesterday, excited about surprising Nolan on his birthday.” She points out.

“ Why are you back so fast and looking like a mess? Tell me what the f**k is going on.”

And I do. I narrate every sickening detail of what transpired in Chicago.

By the time I am done, my voice shakes with anger and grief.

Talia slaps the table so hard i feel the pain on her behalf.

“ That prick dared do something so shameless?” She growls, an ugly expression taking over her face.

“ I found him balls deep inside another woman obviously. He didn't even look remorseful about it. Blabbered something about me suffocating him and not giving him freedom.” I huff, taking another sip of my coffee.

Now that I think of it, it sounds ridiculous.

He clearly threw an excuse to shift the blame on me when he clearly was in the wrong.

“ Six months ! He has been having an affair with another woman for six months!”

Actually, that's what hurts the most.

He should have broken up with me if he didn't love me anymore. Maybe he would have spared us the messy fallout.

“ Love?” Talia huffs, “ Men like him care about nothing. It doesn't matter what you can offer them. They will always find a way to cheat.” Talia mocks.

There was a time she warned me about Nolan. She would remind me that putting all my eggs in one basket –Nolan– was a bad move. I never listened because to me,he was everything.

Maybe she knew all along?

“ I gave him everything,Tal. I even moved to another city just to be there for him.” I whisper.

“ That f*****g prick. You should just mutilate his junk and hang it at the hockey ring so that everyone can see what kind of a skank he was.” Talia spats disdainfully.

I smile at how protective she sounds. Amidst the heartbreak, her concern warms my heart.

“ As amazing as the Idea sounds, it's illegal, Talia. I am not getting my ass on the wrong side of the law. Not for him at least.”

God knows I want Nolan to feel the same pain he inflicted on me but I am not willing to risk my freedom for revenge.

“ You don't need to do it yourself. We can find someone to pull it off.” Talia proposes. I stare at her and shake my head in disbelief at how crazy her ideas sound.

“What? I’m brainstorming. Quality revenge takes planning.” She counters.

Her dramatics crack something open inside me, letting light seep through the cracks in my chest.

She is furious on my behalf and protective in a way only Talia can be.

I also know that underneath it all, she is trying to pull me back to myself.

I set down my mug and face her, my expressions serious.

“No, Tal. I don’t want to waste another second on him. He doesn’t deserve my time, my energy, or my tears. I have given him enough already. I can't afford to give more, not even hatred.”

Talia’s expression softens.

“So what are you going to do?”

I draw in a deep breath, my mind suddenly becoming clear.

“I’m going to focus on my life. My grandma needs me. It's about time I choose myself. Now that I am free, I might as well work hard towards my dream.”

I say, a smile painting my lips.

For years, my life revolved around Nolan. Back then, I thought we were building our future together. I was proud of myself. Now, I can only see that I wasted my life for something intangible, for a man who never cared.

Talia gives me a smile so bright it almost blinds me.

“ Finally, my best friend is back. I am so proud of you.” She whispers before pulling me in a hug.

I savour the warmth of her embrace, my heart stilling as I make a new resolution.

“ It's not too late.” I whisper inwardly.