Page 125 of Stick It
“I’m sure, whatever it is she’s doing, he’s looking down on her with love. That he’s proud of everything she’s accomplished.”
His gaze holds my blurry one for a moment longer, before he turns. “Good night, Dylan,” he murmurs before leaving my bedroom, the door snicking shut behind him as silent tears course down my cheeks.
37
DYLAN
“I’m playing in this game.”
No other player could get away with talking to Coach like that. Hell, the only reason I’m getting away with it is because we’re alone in his office, and even then, Bear arches a brow, letting me know I’m walking a fine line.
“Ihaveto,” I press. “Don’t make me sit on the sidelines for this one, Coach.Please.”
Breathing heavily, he eyes me warily from behind his desk. “Is this because it’s NSU?”
I hesitate, before nodding. It’s been over two weeks since my attack. I’ve sat on the bench for two—two—games now. I can’t sit on the sidelines for a third. The fact that this is our first official game of the season against my old team just makes it all the more important that I’m out there. Ihaveto be on that ice.Haveto be a part of the team when we kick their asses. Ihaveto be the one to wipe that fucking smirk off my ex-boyfriend’s face when he realizes the Steelhawks aren’t like his misogynistic team—well, not every Steelhawks player is.
“Do you think I’ve forgotten the way they went after youduring the exhibition game?” Violence threads his words, and instead of cowing me, a smile teases along my lips.
“Have you forgotten how I was able to hold my own?”
A grumble of discontent rumbles in his chest, and I allow myself an affectionate smile. “Bear,” I say softly, pleadingly. “I’m more than ready to be back on the ice. Even the trainers say so and you’ve seen me in practice.I’mfine.Fully healed, not a pinch of pain.” It’s true, I’m back to my full strength and more than ready to dominate in Friday’s game.
Inhaling deeply, Bear pins me with an unreadable stare. The seconds tick by. One. Two.
“Fine,” he grits. “You’re right. The trainers have cleared you to play. I can’t bench you simply because I worry about you.”
Grin splitting my face, I race around the desk and throw my arms around his broad shoulders. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, I squeeze him tight as I say, “Thank you.”
Throwing open the door to the locker room, I’m still grinning like a loon as I throw my arms in the air. “It’s official!” I announce. Most of the team has already left, hightailing it as soon as practice ended, leaving just my guys—huh,my guys…that doesn’t sound so bad, you know—behind, waiting for me. Coach will deliver the proper announcement at tomorrow’s team meeting, anyway. “I’m back, baby!”
An embarrassingly girly shriek escapes as I’m hauled into strong, masculine arms. Jax’s cedarwood scent envelops me, my arms coming up to squeeze his neck as he spins me around. “That’s my girl,” he says, low enough that only I hear.
My girl.
That sounds even better thanmy guys.
My blood heats at the affection behind those words. He’s been doing little things like that since the night of the Timberwolves game, saying sweet things that make me swoon, littletouches when we’re out in public and more claiming, possessive ones when we’re at home.
“Knew you had it in you,” Ethan says, his smile broad and genuine. He pulls me in for a hug as soon as Jax sets me back on my feet, but I can still feel his warmth at my back as I bury my face in Ethan’s chest for a brief moment, inhaling his sure strength and confidence.
I’m yanked from his hold as Griffin’s possessive hands slide across my hips and cup the back of my neck. His steely eyes bore into mine, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “I can’t wait to take the ice with you on Friday.”
There’s a hunger behind those words, a flare of heat, like chasing a puck and getting rammed into the boards is a turn-on for him. Hell, knowing I’ll be on the ice right alongside him—alongside all of them—is turningmeon.
Movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, and my head whips up. Finn is standing in front of his locker, hands shoved in the front pockets of his jeans. He nods when our gazes collide. “I’m glad you’re back,” is all he says, but I catch a hint of the relief in his eyes. He might not believe that it was Kyle who attacked me, but he’s notlikeKyle. He never wanted me hurt, never wanted me off the ice.
Ethan’s hand squeezes my shoulder, garnering my attention. “We’re going to need all of our best players if we’re going to beat NSU.”
“Oh, wearebeating NSU.”
I won’t have it any other way.
One side effect from Coach announcing that I was starting on the front line on Friday’s game that I hadn’t foreseen was the guys ramping up their protection detail.
The second Coach made the announcement and Kyle stormed out of the room, cursing up a storm, they’ve barely left my side. It’s a miracle I can use the bathroom without one of them standing in the stall with me.
Ethan was able to wield his power as captain and get Kyle to stay elsewhere, meaning it’s just been me and the guys at the house all week. The weight that has lifted from my shoulders at knowing Kyle isn’t going to walk in the door at any second, that he isn’t sleeping just down the hall, or could creep up on me whenever, is indescribable. I hadn’t realized until now how stressed that had me all the time.
