Chapter 18
Jason flinched at Hannah’s words, the truth in them hitting him like a physical blow. She had already composed herself, a sad acceptance settling in her eyes.
“I’ve known for a while now,” she said softly. “After Kelsey left, you had every opportunity to get back together with me, but you didn’t. That’s when I realized I had miscalculated completely.”
“I thought I was testing you, making you want me more by staying just out of reach. What I never anticipated was that you would find someone you genuinely cared about.”
Hannah lowered her head, bitterness coursing through her. Every moment of her relationship with Jason had been meticulously planned, while Kelsey had loved earnestly, without tactics or games.
And despite everything–or perhaps because of it–Jason had fallen for Kelsey. Truly fallen for her.
“It’s fine,” she said, lifting her chin despite the pain. “I’ll find someone better suited for me anyway.”
Hannah turned and walked away, holding back tears until she was out of sight.
Meanwhile, as Jason watched her disappear, clarity washed over him like a wave. In that moment, he finally acknowledged the truth–he had fallen in love with Kelsey Harbour.
When Tyler and Derek had suggested photoshopping compromising pictures of Kelsey, he’d reluctantly agreed. But when he actually saw those images, fury had overwhelmed him. He’d beaten Peterson so severely the boy might never fully recover.
Later, when Hannah pretended Kelsey had hurt her, he’d angrily told Bryce and the others to “teach Kelsey a lesson.” But he’d barely reached the door before regret seized him. Upon finding his teammates attempting to assault her, something primal had taken over. He’d hospitalized boys he’d known since elementary school without a second thought.
Even after Kelsey had explicitly told him she wasn’t pursuing Juilliard, he’d invented reasons to maintain their relationship–claiming it was for Hannah’s sake, claiming it was “just in case.”
But the truth was simpler: he hadn’t wanted to lose Kelsey.
His apology, his grand gesture with the roses and candles, the hours spent waiting by the lake–all of it had been genuine, coming from a place he hadn’t recognized until now.
But his realization had come too late. Kelsey was gone…
Jason suddenly lifted his head, a new determination taking hold.
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My Hockey Primer
Chapter 18
Why should it be too late?
So what if Kelsey had gone to London? So what if they would be separated by an ocean?
He would follow her if necessary. As long as she was out there somewhere, he would find a way to win her back.
With renewed purpose, Jason strode to his car, instructing his driver without hesitation: “To the airport!”
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic.
Kelsey was touring the Royal Ballet School campus, trying to absorb everything around her.
Though she had only just arrived, she found herself drawn to this new environment. She appreciated the climate, the architecture, but most of all, the respectful distance people maintained from one another.
There were fewer rumors here, less prying into others‘ business.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead of her.
Curious, she approached just as Olivia–a fellow American student she’d met during orientation–rushed over, excitement written across her face.
“What’s happening up there?” Kelsey asked, gesturing toward the crowd.
Olivia’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “There’s this incredibly hot guy at the entrance! He’s American too! Absolutely gorgeous and just standing there like he’s searching for someone. The entire school is buzzing–everyone’s trying to get a look at him.”
“An American guy?” Kelsey repeated, a strange unease rippling through her.
She glanced toward the commotion, trying to see past the crowd. That single glance was enough to freeze her in place.
Despite the throng of people, she could clearly make out the tall, unmistakable figure at the center of the attention.
It was Jason.
Kelsey’s heart lurched painfully in her chest. What was Jason doing here? Had he actually come looking
for her?
The thought surfaced unbidden, but she immediately dismissed it. She couldn’t matter that much to him. She never had.
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Chapter 18
Kelsey turned to leave, hoping to slip away before he noticed her.
But she was too late.
Across the crowd, Jason’s eyes found her immediately, as though drawn by some invisible force.
His face lit up with recognition, and he called out, his voice cutting through the noise: “Kelsey!”
