Page 119 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“You won’t. You’ve done more than enough already.” I try to laugh it off, but the sound is weak and brittle.
He stops and steps closer. “Last night you said this was supposed to be casual but, Bridge, the way I feel about you isn’t casual. It never was. I want to be with you. I want to take you on dates and vacations and out with my friends. Hell, I woke up yesterday morning thinking about asking you to move in with me. I’m sure that freaks you out right now, but I want you to know where I stand. I’m crazy about you and I’m not giving up. We’re going to figure this out.”
Panic fills my veins not because I don’t want those things too but because I don’t know how to get there without blowing up his career. He thinks it’ll all be okay, but he can’t know that for sure.
“Come on. I promised you a run.” I start jogging down the path before the tears can fall, and a few seconds later, Ash falls into step beside me.
34
BITCH SESSION
ASH
“That is seriously fucked up,”Leo says, leaning on his hockey stick. He and Jack met me at the rink to burn off some rage. It’s mostly turned into a bitch session while I fire pucks at the net, pretending it’s Gabe’s face.
“What are we going to do?” Jack asks. He looks like the wheels are already turning.
It doesn’t escape me that he’s ready to go to war with me. I love him for that. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” Jack lifts a dark brow.
“Bridget doesn’t want me to say or do anything. She was cool with me telling you guys because I swore you also wouldn’t say or do anything,” I say pointedly.
“Fuck you,” Jack says. “You can’t tell me something like that and expect me to sit on it.”
“I think he’s right, man,” Leo says, skating around me. “At least consider telling Coach.”
“We’ll back you up on this. Everyone will.”
“I appreciate it. Truly. But this isn’t something I can dictate. I need to let her decide when and how to tell people.”
“And you just have to keep your mouth shut and pretend like you don’t know the guy abuses women?” Jack breaks his stick over his knee.
My chest tightens. Doing and saying nothing is the last thing I want to do, but I don’t want to fail her. She trusted me with something she’s only trusted one other person with.
“He’ll get what he has coming to him eventually.” We leave today for a three-day road trip and Jack assured me that none of the GMs are coming with us this time. Me and Gabe trapped together at ten thousand feet is a very bad idea.
“What if Jack and I go talk to Jim without you? We won’t name names, just give him a vague idea of what’s going on.” Leo’s offer is tempting.
I consider it briefly. Could it be that easy?
“Nah. You know they’ll want more information before they do anything. They’ll ask questions and that’ll probably just piss off Gabe more. And then, what if he tries to go after her again? No. No way.”
“Fine. I’m just gonna punch him and say it’s because I don’t like him, then.” Leo’s jaw is set hard.
I can’t help but laugh at him. “You’ve got a wife and kid to think about. Don’t do anything stupid. I can handle it. As soon as we get back from our road trip, I’ll go to Jim and tell him I’m struggling to work with the guy.” I have no idea what I’ll say if he presses me for more details, but I’ve got a few days to figure it out.
We leave the ice with enough time to shower and head to the team jet. It leaves in thirty minutes. First stop is Dallas.
Bridget has classes today, including a test in one, so I can’t call to check in and let her know I’m thinking about her. How I feel about her is so simple and yet I can’t find the path forward for us that doesn’t compromise her safety and sanity or my career.
Nick is in the locker room.
“Hey,” he says when he sees the three of us walk in.
“What are you doing here?” Jack asks him, walking over to give him a fist bump.
“Working with Shane before we head out.”
