Page 173 of Most Valuable Players
“What’s going on?” I ask one of the football guys hanging out watching the security guards talk into their walkie talkies.
“Two people got trapped in the hype room.”
At that moment, the doors open and a frazzled Ginny pushes out. Her breathing is so labored I can see the rise and fall of her chest, eyes wild, clutching the tablet to her stomach. Adam and I move to her, and when she sees us, her pace quickens.
“Oh, fuck,” I hear Adam mutter quietly under his breath.
He’s a step ahead of me and I’m so thankful he’s here because she looks like she needs him. She’s on the brink of a complete meltdown. But when we finally get to her, it isn’t him she throws her arms around. It’s me.
Her body is limp as she sucks in air with ragged breaths. My throat is tight, and my chest cracks open, letting her slip inside. I feel her fear with the force of a Mack truck slamming into me and then dragging me a mile down the road. I can’t find the oxygen to speak, so I wrap my arms around her and pull her head under my chin.
I glance at Adam, feeling his presence like a dark cloud hovering over us. His glare goes from confused to pissed, but this isn’t the time or place to have this conversation.
Adam senses the same thing, and I shield her while he gets us some privacy, calling for everyone to get lost with only slightly more polite words.
“Ginny.” When his attention is back on us, his voice is softer than I expected for the rage rolling off him. “G, are you okay?”
She pulls herself away from me, not meeting my gaze, and hugs him instead. He looks relieved as she glues herself to his side.
“What happened?” he asks gently, cupping the back of her head.
She tries to speak, but her voice is shaky, and he shushes her. “Later, G. Just relax.” He’s calm and loving with her, and I feel a sense of relief that he’s here with all the right words, even if it means he’s going to kick my ass later.
Adam’s jaw flexes and he nods over my head. “Can you see Tom to the arena?”
Ginny’s face is buried in his side, giving me her profile. She’s not crying, but her eyes are closed, and her dark lashes fan out against her smooth skin.
“Heath,” Adam says again, voice as sharp as razors.
I take a step back. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.”
* * *
Adam doesn’t showup to the arena while I’m showing Tom the locker rooms and team training facilities. The guys who are free this afternoon are hanging around, including Maverick and Rauthruss. They both question me on Adam’s whereabouts. I shrug it off and focus on getting through the quick tour.
When Coach shows up, I hand off Tom and decide to do a quick skate to clear my head. I assume Adam is going to show up and slam me into the boards at any moment, but he doesn’t.
I trudge home with dread and guilt weighing down each step. No matter how many times I tell myself it’s none of his business, I can’t find any solace in it.
Adam’s sitting on the couch with his phone to his ear when I walk into the apartment. I hesitate, but ultimately decide a shower is what I need before he goes nuclear on me. When I’m clean and dressed, he’s still sitting in the same spot—sans the phone to his ear. He doesn’t even look at me as I join him in the living room.
I’m already sweating again with uncertainty on how to navigate this. Quick and honest, rip off the Band-Aid.
“It’s not what you think.”
A growl escapes from his chest and his eyes turn to angry slits. Fuck. Okay, that wasn’t the best opening, I admit.
“Okay, it’s what you think,” I backtrack.
“Of all the girls, man. You can have any other one, but not her. Not my baby sister.”
“I’m sorry if it pisses you off. Maybe I should have told you. Not because I think I need your permission, but out of respect. I’m sorry for that, but I’m not sorry for digging your sister. She’s awesome and I like her a lot. I don’t need your permission,” I repeat. “And Ginny doesn’t need it either, for any guy she decides to date.”
“Ginny said as much.” He stands. He’s a good three inches taller than me and he uses every single one. “You can honestly tell me you think you’re good enough for her? Fuck man, I see how you are with women. I don’t want that for her, is that so hard to understand?”
He doesn’t wait for my answer before heading to his room and slamming the door.
* * *
