Page 118 of The Penalty

I put my head in my hands. “What the fuck happened, Teddy?”

“What do you mean?” he asks, like we didn’t just have the conversation we had via text.

“I want to know what you meant by you lost it all over your coach? Are you okay? What happened?” I want to touch him, but he seems so jumpy he might run away if I do.

“Oh! I had a tiny bit of an emotional breakdown to my coach, but it’s all good. I feel way better now. In the zone!”

“About the game?”

He nods. “I told him I couldn’t play.”

I gasp. “Why?”

“I thought I was a traitor.”

“Still?” I knew he was nervous, but I hadn’t realized it had gotten this bad. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know how to.” He looks at his feet.

“Can I hug you?”

His gaze lifts to meet mine. “You never have to ask to hug me.” He opens his arms.

As he just thought I was trying to kidnap him, I doubt it, but I don’t say that. I just wrap him up in a hug, pulling him close. “Do you feel better?”

“Much better. That’s why I sent you the dick pic.”

“Since when does flaccid dick equal feeling better…never mind…I’m just glad you feel better.” I brush my lips over his, squeezing him tighter.

“Me too. I was pretty worried there I’d have to quit hockey and become a scientist or something,” Teddy says into my mouth.

“That would be tragic.”

“I know right!”

We finally detangle.

“Go block every goal.”

Teddy narrows his gaze. “You want that?”

“Of course I want you to have your best game.”

“But don’t you want to win?” His frown deepens.

“I’m going to be trying my damndest to score on you, and helping my team win. I can want both things at the same time.”

He screws up his face. “That hurts my brain. But coach said that’s how you’d play.”

“Go kick some ass, baby.”

“I can’t kick anyone. That’s a personal foul.”

I bite back a laugh. “Right. Play well!”

We both go to our locker rooms and warm up.

“You ready for this?” Cox asks, putting his hand on my shoulder.

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