Page 46 of Hard Ruck

“I was,” Frost said. He looked like he couldn’t believe what he’d done. At the same time, he clearly didn’t regret it. “I thought that was better than punching the shit out of him.”

“I think he preferred it,” I said.

At least in the moment. Before he saw the hurt on Jay’s face. That confirmed what I already suspected. Did it go both ways though? Jay clearly cared about Atlas as more than a friend, but I wasn’t sure how Atlas felt.

If I could, I’d pin him down and figure a few things out. Or let him pin me down.

Either worked for me. The way he had me pressed against the locker, his warm fingers on my neck, I was so ready for more. I wouldn’t have stopped him if he’d fucked me then and there. If it wasn’t for Storm, and the potential of raising eyebrows with the team, he might have.

“I know I did,” Frost said. “He’s a good kisser.”

Storm growled.

Frost gave him a sideways hug and pressed his lips to the fullback’s cheek. “Not as good as you.”

“Better not be,” Storm said.

Dallas was staring at them both. “Why do you always have to make trouble? You in particular, Storm. Did you see Chelsea objecting to Atlas touching her? Do you think she’s not capable of pushing him away if that’s what she wants? Because she is. But you have to stomp over there and make a big fucking deal out of it.”

“It is a big fucking deal,” Storm said. “He was touching her.”

“Because. She. Wanted. Him. To.” Dallas glared at him. “She’s made her thoughts on the subject clear. Have some fucking respect.”

Storm leaned back, stared at him, then at me. “I wasn’t trying to—” He shook his head. “You know how this works. No one touches her without my permission. No one. I haven’t given that to Atlas yet. He’s going to have to fucking earn it the way you both did. Otherwise, he can stay the hell away from her.” His jaw was set, just like his mind. He wasn’t budging a hair on this.

“She gives him her permission,” Dallas argued.

“I don’t care.” Storm’s jaw worked as his irritation grew. “He needs my permission too. This woman is fucking mine. I decide who touches her. End of story.” He made a slashing gesture through the air with his hand.

Dallas opened his mouth to say more, but I placed a hand on his bicep. “It’s okay. Let’s not have any more conflict.”

I didn’t need Storm’s permission to decide who touched me and who didn’t, but it would be easier if they were all in agreement. This fighting, it was getting none of them anywhere. Instead, it was putting a wedge between them. One that didn’t need to be there.

Dallas screwed his eyes shut, and nodded. “Fine, I’ll back off. For you. But he needs to back the fuck off too.” He sighed out his nose before turning and walking back to his locker.

I watched him leave. If they were going to fight like this, we were going to have problems. Lots of them. This wasn’t how I wanted bruises to happen.

“Chelsea—” Frost started.

I opened my eyes when he cupped my cheek with his hand. “I’m okay,” I said.

“Are you?” he pressed. “I know you like all of us, and this fighting is a pain in the ass. You’re not going to walk away from us, are you?” He elbowed Storm back when the fullback stepped forward, trying to protest.

“I don’t want to,” I said. “But if this starts to affect the performance of the team, then…”

I couldn’t, in good conscience, let the Smashers or their fans suffer because of me. I’d sooner walk away from all of them than have them lose because they were divided over me.

Doing it would break my heart into a million tiny pieces. In the time I’d known them, I’d become very attached to all of them. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.

“It won’t,” Storm insisted.

“I’d sooner give up the team than give you up.” Frost’s tone matched the soft look in his eyes. “You’re more important to me than footy. You both are.” He glanced back at Storm.

“I don’t want you to give up anything,” I said. “I know we can all work together, if we try.”

“I’m trying,” Frost said. He turned his face to give the fullback an accusing glance.

“I’ll try if Atlas respects my boundaries.” Storm wasn’t giving up any ground. “I don’t want some random guy thinking he can touch her.”

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