Page 32 of Boots & Scars

What the fuck was wrong with me?

I watched as Everly limped off the ice, her face pinched in pain. She hobbled over to the bench and sat down heavily, attempting to unlace her skates with shaking fingers.

I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling inside me. I wanted her to suffer, to feel the consequences of her stubborn actions. She didn't ask for help, and I sure as hell wasn't going to offer it.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally managed to get the skates off. She limped over to me, setting them down on the counter with a wince.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," I growled, unable to hold back any longer.

I stalked out from behind the counter and over to her. Without asking permission, I lifted up the side of her shirt and pulled at the waistband of her yoga pants, exposing the skin of her hip.

"What are you—" she started to ask, but cut herself off with a sharp intake of breath as my fingers brushed against her skin.

"You're going to have a nasty bruise," I told her bluntly, tracing the already darkening mark with my fingertip. "All because you wanted to help. Congratulations."

But even as the harsh words left my mouth, I couldn't help but marvel at the smoothness of her skin, the way it radiated warmth. The bruise looked wrong on her, marring her otherwise perfect complexion.

I swallowed hard, suddenly all too aware of our proximity, of the way her breath hitched as my touch lingered. I dropped my hand abruptly, stepping back and shoving my hands in my pockets.

"Next time, listen when someone tells you to stay down," I bit out, my voice rougher than I intended.

She glared at me, her cheeks flushed with anger or embarrassment, I couldn't tell which. "I was just trying to help."

"Yeah, well, look where that got you." I gestured to her bruised hip.

"Well, well," a familiar voice said. "Why am I not surprised to see you fondling school girls, Coop?"

I clenched my teeth, hearing Ashley's grating voice. Of course she'd catch me in a compromising position.

"He's not fondling me," Everly said. "I fell on the ice, and he's checking my injury."

I lifted my brow, surprised she'd say something. She was probably worried about her reputation, being seen with me, and needed to explain it. It was the only thing that made sense.

"Honey, is that what he's telling you?" Ashley asked, looking at Everly with sympathy and something like condescension.

Everly cocked her head to the side. "It's what happened," she said, clearly confused.

Ashley shot me a look. "Really?" she asked. "Taking advantage of her? She clearly doesn't know any better?—"

"Do you think I'd actually do something like that?" I growled, anger surging through me at her accusation.

I stepped away from Everly, putting more distance between us. The last thing I needed was for Ashley to twist this into something it wasn't.

"I know exactly what you're capable of," Ashley said, her eyes narrowing. "Or have you forgotten?"

I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to lash out. She had no right to bring up the past, not here, not now.

"Remind me never to defend your honor," I said, the words dripping with sarcasm.

"Considering I never asked you to, I won't," Ashley shot back, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "You know, after what you did to Matthews, I always thought you got off easy. And now, you're harassing poor school girls who don't know any better?—"

"He's not harassing me," Everly interrupted, her voice firm. "I think you have this whole situation wrong, ma'am."

"Ma'am?" Ashley asked, an edge to her voice.

I bit my bottom lip to keep from smirking. I knew Everly was being polite, not realizing Ashley was clearly offended.

"Mr. Cooper is just checking what happened when I fell on the ice." Everly lifted her shirt so Ashley could see the bruise. "As coach, he's responsible for this. Insinuating anything else is just plain wrong."

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