Page 100 of Breakout
Last week we found out that the doctor cleared him. They took off the brace he’s been wearing and told him he doesn’t need the crutches anymore. He should be good as new, but he hasn’t gotten back on the ice yet.
“I’m not sure.” He shrugs.
Clay grabs him by the shoulder, and we all stop.
Clay’s eyes narrow. “What do you mean, you aren’t sure?”
“I don’t know how to say it any differently,” Brett says.
“Wait, you aren’t quitting, right?” Wyatt asks.
Brett rolls his eyes. “Of course not.”
“Then what’s stopping you?” Kellan asks bluntly.
“Nothing. I just want to make sure I’m good before I step back on the ice. I don’t want to rush it and hurt myself again.”
The guys and I share a look. While that is a legitimate concern, that also doesn’t sound like Brett.
“Okay, what can we do to ease your fears? Do you want one of those things kids use until they learn to stand on skates?” Clay asks.
From anyone else it would sound like a mocking question, but from Clay it’s sincere.
“Thanks, but I’m good. I’ll get on when I’m ready, and you assholes will be the first to know,” Brett tells us.
Kellan nods. “I’ll hold your hand.”
“I’ll catch you if you fall. I got all that padding, so it won’t even hurt,” Wyatt adds.
“You guys are assholes,” Brett mutters.
“But you love us.” I smirk.
“Peyton deserves better!” someone yells behind me.
“What the fuck?” Kellan mutters, reading all of our minds.
I turn around and see the same asshole from the other night. “Are you talking about me?” I ask, touching my chest.
He huffs, slightly out of breath, as he comes to a stop in front of me. “Yeah, you. She deserves better than some fucking caveman who gets off on hitting people on the ice. You should walk away before you break her heart, and she learns about who you really are.”
Again, what the fuck?
“Look, Abe, or whatever your name is, I don’t know who the hell you think you are or what you think you know, but you’re wrong. First, I only fight when I’m on the ice when my team needs me to, and second, I’m sure as hell not going to break Peyton’s heart. If anything, I’m going to do everything I can to protect it.”
“It’s Gabe, asswipe. You don’t deserve a girlfriend as good as her. She deserves better,” he hisses.
“You’re right.” His eyes light up with victory, so I continue. “She deserves better than me. I’m fucking human, and I make mistakes, but see, Peyton knows I will do whatever it takes to make her happy. She knows she’s my main priority over everything else, no matter what, and that’s what matters to her.” I take a step forward and get in his face. “My woman knows that no one will ever love her the way I do.”
“You don’t love her, it’s all a game for you,” he sneers.
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
“Just leave her alone.” He takes a step back. “Or else.”
I take a step forward, but Clay grabs onto my shoulder while we watch the twiddledick run off like his ass is on fire.
“What the hell was that?” Clay asks.
