Page 76 of Shots Fired

She wets her lips at the depth of my voice. It feels like we’re already in bed, wrapped around each other while I make her come all over me.

“I am. Although I still don’t think I believe it.”

I can see and sense the uncertainty as it manifests in her brain. Fear of the unknown. Who can blame her? She’s just had her whole world flipped on its axis. It’s understandable that, one minute, she feels steady and okay, and the next, she feels like life is anything but. My job right now is to help stop her head from spinning and give her the love and stability she and our baby need.

“You don’t need to worry, Darcy. I promise everything is going to be okay.”

Her hand cups my elbow, being careful to make sure it’s the one closest to the bar so no one can see.

“This is really complicated for me, Archer. My head is telling me so many things; my emotions and hormones are everywhere. Then Liam decides to get in touch, and it’s like I’m reminded of the reasons why I walked away from him. I guess you could say he’s triggered me.” She drops her eyes to the floor. “Add to that,it feels like I’ve got no control over my own life when I came here to get exactly that. I moved to escape the toxic people from my past and be closer to those I love and care about.”

I edge even closer, desperate to wrap her in my arms. “You’re doing so well though, Darcy. You’re killing it at work, taking everything in your stride. Do you know how much respect I have for you? I could never move to a new country and fit in so seamlessly, so quickly. I’ve never met a person like you before. It’s like you have this aura that encapsulates people. Liam and your dad either couldn’t see that or didn’t want to because they felt threatened, and that’s on them and their insecurities. I see it though, and I want more of it. I want to watch you soar in your career and live out all of your dreams. You make me want to better myself on and off the ice, and now that you’re carrying my baby … those feelings have only intensified.”

When Darcy’s smile reemerges, warmth floods my insides. I helped to put that back there, on her lips, where it belongs.

“Thank you, Archer.” Her voice is soft, but I’d hear it over the loudest music. “I can’t explain how much that means to me.”

If I cupped my hand around the back of her neck and pulled her smiling mouth to mine, I wonder how many seconds it would take Jack’s fist to connect with the side of my face …

Like I can sense eyes on us, my attention snags on the team booth, and I look straight at Jack. He’s staring right at us, a beer to his mouth and Kendra’s hand on his arm.

Offering a salute to my center, I hope that will be enough to placate him.

“What did Liam say to you exactly?” I try hard to keep my voice gentle for Darcy’s sake when all I want to do is rip her ex’s head off.

Darcy chews on her bottom lip. “It doesn’t matter because I have no intention of engaging him in a conversation. We’re done, and that’s all there is to say.”

“Jack says he wants you back.” This time, I’m working even harder to keep my voice calm, to keep my jealousy and rage simmering below boiling point.

Darcy doesn’t say anything as she takes another sip of water, clearing her throat.

Fuck. All I want is to throw her over my shoulder and take her away somewhere, anywhere, where it’s just the two of us and no one else. Fuck hockey, fuckGlideand chess club and anyone else who wants to get in our way.

“Liam says a lot of things, most of it being bullshit. God, Jesus. Why is life so complicated?” She pushes out a frustrated breath.

“If anyone can figure it out, I know you can.”

I wink at her, and she does a double take before a rogue grin pulls at her top lip.

Darcy sets her glass down and straightens on her stool. “Is that so, Thigh Boy?” Her voice takes on a bratty tone, and I fucking love it when she’s like this. Challenging me. “Please do enlighten my masterful problem-solving brain. How can this be uncomplicated?” She subtly circles her lower stomach, and my chest swells.

“We can work as a team. Your brain is built to break codes and mysteries. Mine is designed to care for you and our child.”

Her face softens in the wake of my words, shoulders relaxing. I know she wants to say more.

When Darcy slides off the stool and heads for the restroom, I can tell that she needs a minute. I’ll always give her the space she needs.

“Don’t suppose you have any teammates who want to be obsessed with me and break a few rules along the way, do you?”

Jenna’s half laughing, half serious. That much is obvious as she pulls my attention back to the bar, and I rest a foot on Darcy’s stool, playing with the strap on her wrist bag. I’msurprised she left it behind since all girls like to powder their nose and shit when they take an hour in the restroom.

Especially British princesses.

“Why? Are you hoping to snag a hockey boyfriend too?”

Jenna scoffs. “Yes, no, maybe. What with Kendra, Collins, and now Darcy dating a Blades boy, I’m the odd one out. As per fucking usual.” She breathes the last part quietly, and I’m not about to correct her on my relationship status.

Jenna’s a real enigma. Outwardly, she’s your usual girl and pro athlete. But this conversation only proves my initial impression of her correct. She wants a boy from the bad side of town and one who will push all her buttons and excite her. I’m certain of it. I’ve seen enough girls to know what they want.

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