Page 68 of The Sin Bin

"Just what?" he prompted, leading her toward his truck.

Lauren was quiet until they reached the vehicle. "It's a lot," she finally said, leaning against the passenger door. "Not just the noise. The way everyone was celebrating violence. Did you hear those guys at the next table? Talking about how Wilson deserved to get his face smashed in, how disappointed they were that you didn't drop the gloves after he hit Kane."

"That's just hockey talk," Jax said, choosing his words carefully. "But I get that it's jarring if you're not used to it. And playoff fever makes everyone a little crazier."

Lauren nodded. "I had a boyfriend in vet school who played rugby. Chris. He was all charm until his team lost, then suddenly I was walking on eggshells, waiting for the explosion." She paused. "After that was Mark, a boxer who swore he could separate the violence in the ring from real life. Until he couldn't."

Something cold settled in Jax's stomach. "Lauren—"

"I'm not comparing you to them," she cut in quickly, meeting his eyes. "That's not what I'm saying. I love watching you play hockey. I even understand the strategy behind the physicality. It's just the celebration of violence that's hard for me. Hearing people disappointed you didn't fight, like that's the only thing that matters."

The implication of what she wasn't explicitly saying hung heavy between them. Jax kept completely still, afraid that any movement might be misinterpreted.

"None of us on the team would ever hurt a woman," he said finally, his voice low and steady. "Never would. No matter what happens on the ice. Playoffs or not." He paused, searching for the right words. "And me especially, Lauren. Not ever. Not you."

"I know that," Lauren said softly. "Logically, I know that. If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. But old fears don't always listen to logic."

Jax nodded, processing. This explained her reaction to the fans' bloodthirsty commentary, her tension whenever fighting came up. He wanted to pull her close, to physically demonstrate how secure she was with him, but he resisted, giving her the space she needed for this conversation.

"We don't have to do team outings," he offered. "That was my bad, especially on a night like this."

Lauren's smile was genuine. "No, it was good to celebrate with them. They matter to you." She hesitated. "And I want to understand your world better, playoff intensity and all. Just... maybe in smaller doses. And maybe somewhere quieter than O'Malley's on playoff-clinching night."

Relief loosened the knot in his chest. "Smaller doses. I can work with that."

As they drove toward Lauren's apartment, the intensity of the evening—the playoff-clinching game, the interview, the team celebration—gradually giving way to something calmer.

"Your teammates really love you," Lauren observed. "It's obvious in the way they talk about you, how they look at you."

Jax glanced at her, surprised by the comment. "They're good guys. Been through a lot together."

"It's more than that," she insisted. "Kane calling me 'family' because I'm important to you. Marcus moving to block the noise for me. Oliver changing the subject when he saw I was uncomfortable. They were looking out for me because of you."

Jax hadn't realized she'd noticed those details. "That's hockey teams for you. You watch each other's backs. On the ice, off the ice."

"Penalty misses you," Jax said after a moment. "Mr. Collins said he's been extra feisty today, like he knows something's happening." He smiled, thinking of the tiny furball who'd somehow changed everything. "I got him a new toy. It jingles when he bats it around."

"You spoil him."

"He deserves it, after everything he's been through."

The words hung between them, laden with meaning that extended beyond the kitten. If not for finding Penalty that night, they wouldn't be here now—driving toward Lauren's apartment.

"I've been thinking about what you mentioned," Lauren said. "About adopting that three-legged tortoiseshell as a friend for him."

"Tripod," Jax supplied automatically. "She's been there too long. Gets overlooked because of the missing leg, even though she's got more attitude than most cats with four."

"I think it's a good idea," Lauren said, her voice warm with approval. "And the timing's perfect, with Penalty fully healed and you clinching a playoff spot. New beginnings all around."

"We could pick her up tomorrow after practice?" Jax suggested, then immediately backtracked. "I mean, I could. If you're busy, that's—"

"I'd like to come," Lauren interrupted. "If that's okay. My afternoon appointments end at three."

"It's more than okay," he assured her, reaching across to take her hand. "Penalty would want his doctor there for the big day."

"Am I just his doctor?" she teased.

Jax glanced at her, taking in the soft curve of her mouth, the questioning look, the vulnerability beneath her smile. "Not just his doctor," he said quietly. "Not for a while now."

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