Page 50 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“Yeah. They’re waiting for you.”
“Thank you for everything. It was really good to see you, Ash.”
He dips his head in a parting nod.
I take a step when someone calls my name. My smile slips, but it’s several seconds before I fully place the voice calling my name.
“Bridget?” he asks again.
I turn with a mixture of anxiety and fear. Gabe’s dark brows are raised in surprise. His black hair is gelled to perfection and his suit tailored for his tall and wide frame. He takes me in, gaze lingering on the jersey I’m wearing and then flicking up to Ash, who’s moved to stand beside me.
“I thought that was you,” he says. “I was going to ask what you’re doing here, but I think that’s pretty obvious. He’s why you’re too busy to take my calls?”
I blocked him and stopped sharing my location after I saw him last, but instead of correcting his assumption that I’m here with Ash, I ask the only question banging around in my head. “What areyoudoing here?”
“I tried to tell you. Now that I know you’re fucking him, I’m glad I didn’t ruin the surprise.” He looks at Ash, way too pleased with himself, and dread washes over me.
Ash curses under his breath.
“Do you want to tell her, Kelly, or should I?”
A moment passes where Ash does nothing but keep his stony expression aimed forward at Gabe.
“You’re looking at the new assistant GM.” He puffs out his chest and his slimy smile widens.
“Wait, what? You got a job here? With the Wildcats?” I look from Gabe to Ash. The latter’s expression confirms my questions.
“So, you’ve heard?” Gabe asks Ash.
Ash looks at me apologetically. “I saw him earlier, but I didn’t piece it together until now.”
Gabe takes another step forward and I tense. Ash moves farther in front of me.
That stops Gabe, but he huffs an amused laugh. “It’s best if you stay out of my way, Kelly, and keep away from things that belong to me.”
Belong to him? Surely he doesn’t mean me. Because hell no. I’m not property. Certainly not his.
Ash’s body goes rigid in front of me, back muscles straining against his shirt, but he doesn’t say anything as Gabe gives me a parting look that’s filled with the promise,this isn’t over.
“Guess I’ll be seeing you both around.” He turns and takes a step, and then pauses and glances back at Ash with a slimy smile. “I was sorry to hear about your shoulder. And during a contract season. That’s a tough break.” He sucks in air through his teeth. “I look forward to seeing you back on the ice. The team needs help with scoring right now or we’re going to have to make some painful adjustments.”
14
HARD AND PISSED
ASH
Bridget leftin a hurry after we ran into Gabe. What a fucking prick. A prick that I now have to work with.
I catch Jack downstairs as he’s coming out of the media room.
“Hey,” he says as he turns his hat backward. “Wanna grab a drink at Wild’s?”
“We have a problem.” I lean forward and whisper the bare minimum info to fill him in.
His expression morphs instantly from relaxed to on edge. He’s a good captain. He’s always led by example first, but he’s also the first guy ready to jump in and solve any obstacle in the way. Personal and professional, because with a job like ours, it all sort of bleeds together. In a fight, there’s no one I’d rather have my back.
“Give me five to grab my stuff.”
