Page 65 of Pucking Knox
"There was no other way." I straighten as Ace finally steps back. "She wouldn't answer my calls. Wouldn't let me explain. Wouldn't—"
"So you hijack the combine?" Coach throws up his hands. "Put on a show like some lovesick puppy? Waste everyone’s goddamn time?"
"Yes." The answer comes easily. "Because I needed to make things right. It’s been eating at me. None of it matters without her."
Silence falls over the locker room. Even Ace looks thrown by my conviction.
"You really mean that?" Ace asks quietly. "You would give up the draft for her?"
"Already did." I wipe blood from my split lip. "The moment I grabbed that microphone."
Coach sighs heavily. "Grey, clear the room. These two need to figure their shit out before we lose two of our top guys."
The team files out slowly, Grey lingering until Coach pushes him through the door.
"Look." I face Ace fully. "I respect you. Love you like a brother. Would take a bullet for you any day of the week."
"But?"
"But if you ever put your hands on me like that again, we're going to have a real problem." I step closer, letting him see theenforcer everyone fears. "And while we're at it? Stay out of me and Kennedy's business while we figure this out."
"She's my sister."
"And I'm the man who loves her." The words feel like freedom. "The man who fucked up but is trying to make it right. The man who just risked his entire future to tell her that in front of the world."
"You hurt her once already." His voice roughens. "What’s different this time?"
"I choose her…Ace." I meet his eyes steadily. "Every time. Every day. I will choose her. I fucking swear I won’t ever pull this bullshit again."
He studies me for a long moment. "I don’t know if I can trust that, Knox. Do you even love her?"
"More." I inhale. "More than hockey. More than the draft. More than anything I thought before her."
"Fuck." He runs a hand through his hair. "I want to hit you so bad right now."
"I know."
"Want to hate you for hurting her."
"Hate me."
"But..." He sighs heavily. "But I've never seen you like this. Never seen you want anything more than hockey. Never seen you so fucking low, man. Seeing you two both like this is killing me."
"She changed everything." The truth feels like a confession. "Made me want to be better. Not for scouts or coaches or anyone else. Just... better. For her."
Ace is quiet for a long moment. Then, "If you hurt her again—"
"You'll kill me." I almost smile. "Get in line. I’ll hang myself first. Pretty sure Sawyer is right after you."
"I'm serious, Knox."
"So am I." I grab my bag. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find your sister. Convince her to take another chance on the idiot who loves her."
"She's not at her dorm." But his voice lacks the earlier anger. "Already asked."
"I'll find her." I head for the door, then pause. "We good?"
He considers this. "No. But... maybe if you do right by her this time. It’ll take some time. I don’t think she’s ready."
