Page 18 of Triple Power Play 3
Exactly.
I walked into that one, but at the time, I trusted Reece, trusted him to protect and care for me. I still do, but again, it doesn’t matter. Despite what he says, he wants more than friendship, and beyond that isn’t possible.
To you, this is a fantasy. To us, it’s family. Ethan builds Jax up. He believes in him. You put him down and talk to him like he’s a failure. I can’t live with that.
Viking
He hurt you. That’s hard for ME to live with. I get it. They’re besties. I wanna be YOUR bestie.Now, tell me what’s wrong.
Ethan is busy, and discussing this with Jackson will only worsen his guilt. I’ve accepted his relapse and moved on, but that doesn’t mean it’s not gut-wrenching to remember for both of us.
A reporter mentioned the pictures of Jax with other women.
Viking
Where do I bail out your fiancé? I hope he throat-punched the asshole.
Chin up. Straighten your crown, princess. Those vultures are nothing but dirt under your pretty little heels.
His words bring a smile to my face, melting away the tension in my shoulders—until he writes:
Viking
Wouldn’t have happened on my watch.
8
ETHAN
Aurora wraps her arms around my waist. “Will you come home with us tonight? It’s been several days.” She pouts her bottom lip dramatically.
I freeze, fighting the urge to pull away. The last thing we need is more publicity. We’re in the back parking lot—for players only, but it’s hardly secluded—waiting for the twins to fetch the car.
Jax is currently getting an earful from the PR team and his agent. After that, he has to see Doc. Then, we head to this dreaded ‘Unity’ event with more fucking media.
Forcing aside my anxieties, I brush my knuckles over her cheekbone. “I have to attend this dinner, baby. After that, it’ll be late, and we leave early tomorrow.”
We’re only traveling to Long Island, just outside the city, but if I go home with them, we’ll be up half the night. Alone, I won’t keep my hands off her, not with the way she’s dressed—tall suede boots with fuck-me heels, Jackson’s jersey fashioned into a dress, and her leather jacket. Her hair is up in a high ponytail I’d love to wrap around my fist.
God, have mercy on me. I’m trying to be professional here.
“Can I stay with you?” She gives a teasing smile at odds with her apprehensive eyes. “Just sleep, nothing nefarious.”
I clench and unclench my jaw. “Go to dinner with Jax. I’ll see you there.”
Her face hardens, and she lets her arms fall. I hate it. I crave her touch. I miss her clingy affection.
I’m pushing her away. It shouldn’t be like this, but I’m under a lot of pressure. I don’t want her to become team gossip. The media is focused on her and Jackson, and I’d prefer it stay that way. His inappropriate comments and behavior are enough of a distraction.
Then, there’s the morning sickness. It stirs up a deep, uncontrollable rage within me, rooted in my childhood. It has nothing to do with Aurora, but it keeps me from caring for her.
It’s been three days since I stayed with them, since she was vomiting and I acted like a coward. I made promises I didn’t keep. I haven’t communicated. I’m not there for her…
“You know what?” Her words drag me from my downward spiral, her tone laced with irritation. “Never mind.”
I’m torn. Does it matter if she’s in my arms tonight? Is it worth upsetting her over what others might think? When I leave tomorrow, she can sleep in. No one will know…except the team, and with Jackson’s suggestive comments, people are bound to start gossiping if we share a room.
Just as I’m about to speak, to explain myself, she turns and rushes toward the arriving car. I hurry after her, grabbing her wrist to prevent her from opening the door. She yanks her arm away, not even bothering to look at me.
