Page 37 of Triple Power Play 3
My palms grow clammy, slick with sweat. “It’s not that simple.”
He sits up straight, readying for a fight. “It is that simple. You’re just not that committed.”
I mirror his defensive stance and lower my voice. “That’s not fucking true.”
“Yeah? Prove it.” He juts his chin. “I guarantee if roles were reversed, every single person would know that baby was mine, that she belonged to me despite being with you. She wouldn’t have sat in my agent’s suite without an explicit threat of violence if something happened to her,especiallyif I knew I had an ex floating around. I’ve made mistakes in the past. I’m not about to fuck up the future. Make. A. Fucking. Choice.”
Defeated, my body sags, and I rake my fingers through my hair. I’m screwing up, and I’m so damn exhausted from the weight of all this stress and secrecy.
I love Jax. I love Aurora. My chest tightens at the thought of losing what we have. I lift my head and meet his gaze. “I should have told Trent. I should have warned Reece about my ex.”
“And everyone else? Us?”
Us?Me and him? I have no fucking clue. “We’re family. We’ll figure it out.”
“We’re a mess.” He takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. “You’re so worried about something happening, you keep Aurora at arm’s length, leaving her confused and unprepared for the inevitable. Believe me, I’ve been there. I didn’t tell her about Kyle, and she ended up at one of his parties. It’s Murphy’s Law or some crap.” He gestures with his hand.
“What would you have me do, oh wise one?”
“Live your truth—orourtruth. You want Reece here? Make him work for it. People will find out. So what?” He raises his chin. “Those who talk shit…”
Grant pops over the seat in front of us. “Get hit,” he finishes, flashing his stupid smile. “Who are we hitting? Who hurt my favorite team wife?”
Jax drills him in the shoulder. “Mind your fucking business, G.” He directs his crooked grin my way. “See how easy that was?”
I cock my head. “I’m thirty-five, not twenty-five. I’m a coach, not a player. I don’t go around hitting people.”
“You should start.”
“I’m gonna start with you.”
“Do it,” he taunts with that devilish smirk.
16
JACKSON
“You seriously put her in a suite with your ex? With no fucking heads-up?” the Viking gripes as soon as we enter the hotel suite.
He’s reclined on the couch, new combat boots kicked up on the coffee table, arms folded over his chest. He’s wearing his usual black tactical pants and a black fitted T-shirt, always in uniform.
The bedroom where Aurora is sleeping is directly opposite him. I bet he sat there, staring at the closed door, his tongue hanging out, panting.
Ethan tosses his suit jacket onto the back of the chair facing Reece then plops down. “No. Why would I do that? My agent had seats available. Obviously, I should have told him who she was.”
I plonk my ass beside Reece, putting myself between him and Ethan, and knock his feet off the table. “Is it necessary to dress like that? What could you possibly have in all those pockets? You’re wearing cargo pants, for fuck’s sake.”
“And you’re wearing skinny jeans, rich boy. Sorry, my dick needs breathing room.” He opens a pocket, the Velcro ripping—fuckingVelcro—and holds his palm out. “Your girl’s lip stuff and ID, because she’s forgetful.” He tears open another pocket, andmetal jangles. “Handcuffs I threatened Ethan’s crazy ex with, or in case your girl wants to get kinky.” He winks.
Agitation swarms in my chest. “Keep your handcuffs in one of your twenty pockets, and she’s mywife. Get it through your thick skull.”
“I will once I see the marriage certificate.” He dismisses me, turning to Ethan.“Trent knew she was Aurora Embers, the model. Knew what magazines she was featured in. Knew she was with Jackson. He laughed when I told him he’d be eating a puck if he didn’t stop flirting with her.”
I offer him a fist-bump, and he gives me a side-eye before he halfheartedly bumps knuckles.
“I don’t know the entire story,” he continues, “but your ex is quite unhappy about the pregnancy.”
I can’t picture Ethan with anyone else. The image makes me sick…and murderous.
