Page 106 of Boots & Scars

“No,” I replied without hesitation. “I have no intention to. I love him for exactly who he is.”

Ashley cut a glare at me, her frustration clear in the set of her jaw. “If all you wanted to do was ask me to recant, the answer is no.”

I sighed, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me. “I’m disappointed,” I said. “I wanted to implore to your goodwill, but I guess you have none. Cooper is everything to me, and I’m going to protect him and his reputation. If you don’t tell the truth, if you don’t do the right thing, I’m going to release the emails and texts you sent him regarding your extortion.”

Ashley blinked in surprise. “What?” she asked, her voice wavering.

“You heard me,” I said calmly.

“I didn’t send Cooper any texts or emails…” Her voice trailed off as realization dawned on her face.

I arched a brow, watching her reaction closely. “I’m assuming you remember the voicemail you left his attorney,” I said. “How you told him you wanted to discuss some kind of settlement because of your relationship and how if you didn’t get what you felt you were owed, you were going totell the truth.”

Ashley opened her mouth, but I cut her off before she could speak.

"I want to give you the opportunity to make things right," I said slowly, leaning forward. "Because if you don't, I will come at you with everything I have. I'll go to every woman you accuse Cooper of cheating with, and every time you claimed you were abused, I'll go through every scrap I can find to prove you wrong and clear Cooper's name."

"You couldn't possibly do that," she said, disbelief coloring her voice.

"What's the saying?" I asked, my eyes narrowing. "I'm a dog with a bone. And you're threatening someone I love."

"You know this whole thing with you and Cooper isn't going to work out," Ashley snarled, her lips curling into a sneer. "You're a naïve little girl who has stars in her eyes because the bad boy NHL player looked at her. He's using you for sex and that's it. Once he gets tired of you, you'll feel the same way I do."

"And you're the washed-up old hag who's bitter, resentful, and miserable," I shot back, the words slipping out before I could stop them. Her eyes widened in shock. "I'm sorry. That was mean." I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. "Even if that's true, Cooper has treated me like I'm a queen. And if this ever ends, I'll be grateful for it. There are beasts everywhere, Ashley, masquerading as Prince Charmings. They take because they think they deserve it. Trust me; I learned thatthe hard way. And Cooper saved me, even when he didn't have to. Cooper is angry, yes. But he's not a monster."

"I saw what he did to those kids," Ashley countered sharply. "Those frat boys?"

"You mean the ones who beat me so bad I fell unconscious?" I asked, my voice steady. "Or the one who drugged me, then raped me?"

Ashley flinched as if struck.

"Maybe you're right," I murmured, cocking my head slightly. "Maybe he is a monster. But never to me. Unless, of course, we're in bed."

Ashley stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound. "I don't have to listen to this," she said coldly.

"Think about what I've said," I replied calmly, grabbing my bag and standing up as well. "I don't make promises I can't keep, and I promise you if you don't recant, I will make your life a living hell."

Ashley gave me one long last look before turning on her heel and walking away.

32

Cooper

The ice rink buzzed with the sound of blades scraping against the ice. A group of students stumbled and wobbled as they tried to keep their balance. I skated past them, correcting their form, barking out instructions.

“Keep your knees bent! You're not going to balance if you’re stiff as a board,” I called out to a lanky kid who looked like he was about to faceplant.

I felt Everly’s eyes on me, like a warm current cutting through the chill of the rink. She stood on the edge, watching, her gaze sharp and disapproving every time I pushed one of the students too hard. When our eyes met, she glared at me, her lips pressing into a thin line.

I didn’t back down. I glared right back, challenging her silently. Her eyes flashed with something—annoyance, maybe?—but it did something to me. It ignited a fire in my chest that spread through my entire body.

Sometimes, I did it on purpose. When I felt her glare on me, I’d find a reason to be harsher than necessary, just to see that spark in her eyes.

“Push off harder with your right foot! You’ll never get anywhere if you’re half-assing it,” I yelled at another student who looked ready to give up.

Everly’s glare intensified. I felt my pulse quicken and the corners of my mouth tugged upward in a smirk. It was a twisted game we played—her disapproval fueling my intensity.

“All right, that’s enough for today,” I announced, skating back towards the center of the rink. “Get out of here.”

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