Page 75 of Scoring Zone
“You don’t make it easy,” I say honestly, and he reddens.
“Night.” Rhys waves and continues down the street.
The small car is a haven from the cold, bringing the smell of warmth and cumin. Its size makes it totally normal for my leg to rest along Gray’s.
“Why did you—”
“Will he go home or follow those idiots, looking out for innocent bystanders?” Gray interrupts me for the second time.
Gray only interrupts people when he’s trying to protect them. I don’t need his protection, but I’ll wait until we get home to call him out. “Rhys seems like a good guy. I hope he doesn’t end up needing help. Should we go back?” It would suck if something bad happened to him if we could prevent it.
Gray twists in his seat to see out the back window. “He’s gone.” He’s distracted on his phone for the rest of the ride, and I’m fuming that he’s ignoring me.
When we’re alone in the elevator, he holds up his screen. “Here’s Rhys Brant’s number if you want to text him and make sure he’s home safe.” All the fight leaves me and he shrugs. “You can pretend you weren’t worried, or you can reach out.”
As the elevator doors open, I drag him out and into our apartment without a word.
The door shuts behind us, and my lips fuse with his. I’m intent on getting him naked as soon as I get an explanation.
He surprises me by leaning back, cupping my face, and searching my eyes. “Are you okay? Did the darkness take you over?”
“I’m fine, and we can stop calling it the darkness unless we want it to be a code word. Thanks to therapy, we can call it what it is: my repressed feelings overwhelming me.” I press a chaste kiss to his lips. “But, G, I’m not some young kid who needs protection. As a grown-ass man, I can handle the consequences of my actions.” My hand curves around his hip.
He sighs into my mouth. “You never resort to physical violence, so it shocked me. Can you understand why I’m concerned? It’s so out of character.”
“I’ve never had someone insult the man I love before, and I had to shut his entitled mouth. It wasn’t a blackout or a rage surge. Instead, an old-fashioned protect-my-man punch. Thank you for your concern.” I hug him tighter. “One more thing to work on in therapy.” A humorless laugh escapes me. “I’m not backing away from my actions. I’ll take responsibility.”
“That kid is trouble, and I’m doubly sure after what Rhys said. You heard him yelling your full name. He’s liable to sue for attention or clout. No one gives a shit if the Enforcers trainer knocks out an aspiring hockey player.”
“I don’t like it,” I complain.
“Didn’t think you would. Text Rhys and come to bed.” His fingers skim my back as he walks away.
Chapter 32
Grayson
Ace’s phone has gone off three times, and I can’t believe he’s ignoring it. Groaning, I reach for him and find his side of the bed empty. I’m immediately awake but relax when I hear the shower running. It’s way too early for someone to harass him, and I snatch his phone to silence it, but my heart stops when I see Finn’s name.
Finn never calls, and when he does, it’s not good news.
“Tinny.” I leap out of bed. “Finn has called three times.” The steam obscures my view of him in the glass shower.
“Finn? Google me.” He rinses himself off and grabs a towel.
“I told you that little shit was bad news.”
Trending on social media is the headlineAce Lapointe attacks a fan. Austin clutches his phone in disbelief.
“You aren’t getting involved. Please, please let me take the fall. What’s the worst that can happen?” I plead.
“No. I did it, and I’m taking responsibility.” The phone rings in his hand, and I take it and run. Not mature but effective.
“Finn,” I answer as I close myself in my bedroom with my back against the door so Austin can’t get in. “There’s been a huge misunderstanding. I hit that guy last night because I’d been drinking and he called me a nobody. It’s my fault.”
“You should know enough to text me if something like that happens,” he huffs. “You’re not a rookie, Ward. I expect more from you.”
“I know. The dude was an ass, and he thought Ace hit him, but I told him it was me. He’s lying,” I say without remorse.
