Three Pucking Wedding Dates (Hockey Harems #1)

48. Oakley

48

OAKLEY

T he sun beats down on me as I walk back to my apartment, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. It’s hot, but not just because of the weather. Anxiety tightens my throat, making it hard to breathe.

I need to talk to Iris.

As I approach my home, I pull out my phone and dial Iris’s number. My fingers are trembling, betraying the calm facade I’m trying to maintain. A bead of sweat rolls down the side of my face, but I don’t bother wiping it away.

“Come on, pick up,” I mutter under my breath, growing more nervous with each unanswered ring. My stomach churns with dread. Why is she still avoiding me?

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Iris answers her phone. “Oakley…” Her voice is duller than usual. “Why are you calling?”

“Today has been a crazy day, and I just wanted to talk to you. I miss my friend. Are you busy?”

She sighs. “I don’t want to waste my time talking to people I’m not friends with.”

The words hit me like a sucker punch, knocking the breath from my lungs. My fingers grip the phone tighter, knuckles turning white. “W-what? Iris, where is this coming from?” I manage to stammer out.

“Are you seriously asking me that?” Her voice drips with sarcasm and hurt. “You betrayed me, Oakley. I can’t believe you would do something so…so despicable.”

My heart hammers in my chest as I struggle to understand her accusations. “Betrayal?” I whisper, my mind racing through recent events, trying to pinpoint what could have possibly led to this.

“Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out about your involvement with all three of my brothers?” Iris spits out, her words laced with venom. “Especially after that one night with Gray that was supposed to be a one-time thing?”

A sick feeling washes over me, bile rising in my throat. “Iris,” I say softly, desperately wishing I could reach through the phone and comfort her. “It wasn’t like that. I never meant to hurt anyone, least of all you. Please, let me explain?—”

“Save it, Oakley,” she snaps, cutting me off. “You’ve shown your true colors.”

I grip my phone tighter, trying to process what Iris just said. “How did you find out?” I ask, fear and confusion mingling in my voice.

“Does it matter?” Iris snaps, her tone icy. “You’ve been sneaking around with all three of my brothers, Oakley. You can’t deny that.”

“Please,” I beg, my voice cracking. “Tell me how you know.” I thought I was so careful…

“Fine!” she relents, her words dripping with disdain. “Avery saw you and Theo at the bar in Hawaii. She put two and two together, and now we all know about your little secret.”

“Listen to me,” I implore, panic bubbling up inside me. “I never intended for anything more to happen between me and your brothers. But now…” My voice trails off, knowing there’s no way to justify my actions.

“Save your breath, Oakley,” Iris interrupts, her voice cold and unforgiving. “There’s nothing you can say to change what’s happened. We’re done here.”

“Please, Iris,” I whisper, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Don’t shut me out like this.”

“Goodbye, Oakley,” she says flatly, and the line goes dead.

I walk back to my apartment, heart pounding and heavy in my chest. The harsh words from Iris echo through my mind, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve ruined everything. Climbing the stairs to my floor, I wipe the tears from my face, but they keep coming, leaving streaks of pain on my cheeks.

“Deep breaths, Oakley,” I whisper to myself as I reach the top of the staircase. “You can get through this.”

Fumbling with my keys, I push open the door to find Theo standing there, ready to begin his workout. His gaze immediately locks onto mine, concern etched across his chiseled features.

“Oakley, what’s wrong?” he asks, his deep voice filled with worry.

I try to form a coherent response, but all that escapes is a choked sob. Theo crosses the space between us in an instant, his strong arms wrapping around me.

“Hey, it’s okay,” he murmurs, stroking my hair as I lean into him. “Just tell me what happened.”

“Iris…she knows,” I manage to stutter out, my voice barely audible. “She knows about us, about everything. She’s furious, Theo, and she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

The weight of the day’s events finally bears down on me, and I crumble into Theo’s arms like a sandcastle succumbing to the tide. “I’ve ruined everything,” I sob, my tears soaking his shirt as they cascade down my cheeks.

“Hey, shh,” Theo whispers, his arms tightening around me in a protective embrace. “You didn’t ruin anything, Oakley.”

But I can’t help feeling that I have. My relationship with Iris—someone I once considered family—now lies in tatters, all because I couldn’t control my feelings for her brothers. The thought is like a dagger to my heart.

“What if she never forgives me?” I choke out, the words barely comprehensible through my tears. “What if I lose everything?”

“Oakley, look at me.” Theo gently lifts my chin so that our eyes meet, his piercing blue gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. “You are strong, and you will get through this. We both will. You’re not alone.”

His reassurance is a balm to my frayed nerves, and I allow myself to take solace in the warmth of his embrace. For several minutes, we stand there in silence, my sobs gradually subsiding as I lean into Theo’s comforting presence.