Page 70 of Shots Fired

“You hooked up with her, didn’t you?” Sawyer whispers beneath his breath, tipping his head toward Amelia as she stands with her back to us.

I swipe a hand through my hair, but really, all I want to do is pull it out at the roots. It was years ago, and we weren’t breaking any rules since Amelia worked for the leisure facility attached to the training rink and not for the team itself. We got into it on her massage table, and I regret fucking around, even if it was before Darcy.

He chuckles; not judging or berating me, but my frustration grows all the same.

“I’ll take your silence as my answer,” Sawyer says as we walk through the doors toward the locker room.

I pull up in the empty hallway, and my friend grinds to a halt alongside me.

There’s so much I could say, and in so many ways, I want to tell him.

“What is it?” he asks, speaking before I can find the right words.

I know I can trust him with anything, even something as big as Darcy’s pregnancy. But I know it’s not what my girl would want. Hell, I don’t even knowwhatshe wants at this point. This is why I shouldn’t be here but back home instead, in our bed, giving her everything and anything she needs.

Pulling my cell out of my pocket, I check again for messages. Still none. Hopefully, she’s sleeping and not freaking the fuck out over last night.

A hand lands on my shoulder, and I look up at my captain.

“That night, at the meal for the GMs, you left with Darcy, didn’t you?”

My eyes dart around the still-empty hallway. “I don’t think this is the best time.”

He puffs out a despondent breath, and I meet his green eyes. My cocky friend has disappeared. Now only my captain stares back at me.

“No.” I lie on Darcy’s behalf.

He releases another despondent breath. “Am I going to need to pry this from you as your captain and the guy who has a responsibility to look out for team dynamics, or are you going to wise up and offer me the truth?”

I look off to the side as my fist tightens around the strap of my bag. “I left with her.”

As much as I don’t want to see it, I center my attention back on his face, checking for a reaction.

He just nods, dropping his head to the floor as he scuffs it lightly with his sneaker. “Jesus, Archer. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

I have no fucking idea.

“I do,” I reply confidently. “And it was the best night of my life.” Other than admitting I left with Darcy, it’s the first truth I’ve told him during this conversation. It feels good.

Sawyer’s eyes soften, and he opens his mouth to say something right as the locker room door swings inward.

Coach Morgan stands in the threshold, Blades cap pulled low and a folder tucked under his arm. He looks between us both, confused. “Sorry, did I just interrupt a women’s weekly meeting, or are we actually planning on doing some work around here?”

A couple of snorts sound from behind him.

I thumb toward my captain, my mask of the expected Archer Moore slipping back into place with ease. “Cap forgot his cup and asked me if he could borrow one. Turns out, they’re all way too big.”

Coach and Sawyer simply roll their eyes, and just like that, it’s as if the previous five minutes never happened.

“Okay, well, now that you’ve both finished literally dicking around …” Coach begins as we step into the room, and I make straight for the usual bench, dumping my gear down. “I’m glad I have your attention since I’ve got a new member of the team to introduce.”

I turn on my heel. Fuck. With everything swimming around my head, I totally forgot today was the day.

“We’re honored to have him working with us on a temporary coaching contract. He’s a good friend of mine, and with his skills and knowledge, I’m confident we can expect great things this season.”

Rising from the bench next to Jack, Jensen Jones comes to stand beside Coach Morgan.

The room falls silent as he tucks his hands into the pockets of his gray sweats and scans the room, acknowledging each player before finally landing on me.

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