Page 31 of The Sin Bin

Back in his apartment, Penalty sat washing his paw, the picture of innocence. Jax pointed an accusing finger at the kitten. "Your timing needs work," he told him.

Penalty merely blinked at him, unconcerned.

Jax dropped onto his couch, replaying the last fifteen minutes in his head. His phone buzzed with a text.

Made it to my car. Thanks for the water. And...everything else.

Jax smiled, typing back:Anytime. Penalty sends his apologies for the interruption.

Her response made him laugh out loud:Tell Penalty his chaperone services won't be necessary next time.

Next time.The promise in those two words kept Jax grinning like an idiot long after he should have been asleep.

Chapter Eight

Lauren

March 1st– Countdown to playoffs

Lauren stood in front of her closet, surrounded by discarded outfits, as Barb lounged on her bed scrolling through the Charm City Chill's Instagram page.

"What exactly does one wear to a hockey team's charity casino night?" Lauren asked, holding up a black cocktail dress only to immediately return it to the closet with a frustrated groan. "Formal? Semi-formal? Jersey-formal?"

"According to these photos from last year," Barb said, turning her phone to show Lauren, "it's definitely cocktail attire. Ooh, look at Kane Norris in that suit. Man cleans up nice."

Lauren glanced at the photo, but her eyes were drawn to the figure slightly behind Kane—Jax in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that accentuated his broad shoulders, his expression serious but softened by a slight smile. Her stomach fluttered traitorously.

"This is ridiculous," she declared, sinking onto the bed beside Barb. "I'm overthinking a simple charity event."

"A simple charity event you were invited to as the personal guest of the team's most intimidating player," Barb corrected. "After three weeks of 'professional consultations' about a kitten and 'research' at hockey games."

"When you put it that way, it sounds absurd," Lauren admitted.

"That's because it is absurd," Barb said, sitting up to face her friend. "Gloriously, romantically absurd. An enforcer with a heart of gold falls for the vet who initially judged him for his violent job."

Lauren threw a pillow at her. "We haven't 'fallen' for each other. We're just..."

"Just what?" Barb prompted when Lauren trailed off.

"I don't know," Lauren sighed. "That's the problem. What am I doing, Barb? He represents everything I've always avoided in men."

Barb's expression softened. "Does he, though? From everything you've told me, he's controlled, thoughtful, gentle with animals, and protective without being possessive. That sounds like the opposite of your ex."

"But his job is literally fighting," Lauren argued.

"His job is hockey," Barb corrected. "The fighting is part of a role he plays, with rules and boundaries and purpose. And from what you've said, he's been actively working to evolve beyond that."

Lauren couldn't argue with that. Over the past three weeks, she'd watched Jax transform his game, using his size and strength strategically rather than punitively. The texts they'd exchanged about his expanding defensive responsibilities had been filled with a quiet pride that touched her.

"But what happens when he can't?" Lauren asked quietly, voicing the fear that had been gnawing at her. "What if someone pushes him too far? What if that violence isn't as contained as we both want to believe?"

The question hung in the air between them. Barb studied her friend for a long moment before responding.

"Is that what you're really afraid of? Or are you afraid of what happens if he's actually the good guy he seems to be?"

The question hit too close to home. Lauren stood abruptly, returning to the closet to avoid meeting Barb's knowing gaze.

"Wear the emerald dress," Barb said, changing tactics. "The one with the open back. It matches your eyes and makes your ass look fantastic."

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