Page 64 of Ice Wolf
“Hey. Hey!” Coach Cavanaugh yelled. He had four security officers with him, two of them getting between us.
The coach grabbed my arms, pushing me back. “He fucking threatened her. He fucking threatened he’d put his hands on Lily!” I tried to shove my way past the man, but the coach was having none of it. Jonathan was suddenly there, jerking me by the arm.
“Let it go. He’s trying to psyche you out,” he said as he got directly in my face.
Ordinary, I’d finally realize he was right. Not this time. Rocco was being serious.
As if to prove a point, the fucker puckered his lips and stuck his finger into his mouth, pumping a few times.
It took the two security guards and my coach to keep me from beating Rocco to a pulp.
“Just calm the fuck down,” Coach Cavanaugh hissed.
I stood where I was with my chest puffed out until Rocco was forced out of view.
“Fuck.” I slammed my hand on the wall and everyone jumped.
“It’s all done, folks. Just boys being boys,” Jonathan said, trying to make light of what happened.
I was led down the corridor. It felt like I was some damn prisoner. If the man laid a hand on her, there could be no way I’d be able to control my rage. None.
When we reached the locker room, the coach pulled away, slapping his hands on his hips. I don’t know what kind of reaction I’d expected from the man, but his eyes told the story. He wasn’t thrilled I’d taken the opportunity to spout off something so personal.
Add that to what had happened both on and off the ice and I was close to hanging myself with the rope I’d been provided.
My teammates weren’t happy either, every one of them grumbling through their fake words of congratulations.
And hissing about Rocco.
At least the reporters were yet to be allowed in, but we wouldn’t be able to hold them off for long.
The coach rolled his hand through his hair and got in my face. His voice was quiet, very quiet. Dangerously so. “I know you have a beef with Rocco. Who the fuck doesn’t. What he did on the ice was bullshit and he should be fined. However, you fell for his bait. And don’t get me started about the fiancée crap. I don’t know what to say to you any longer. You’re lucky we fucking won. Now, you’re going to act professional when you talk to the reporters. Thank God they all know you’re on an adrenaline high or they’d start questioning the werewolf shit all over again. Do you hear me? Keep yourself calm.”
I took a deep breath, finally nodding. “I hear you, Coach.”
“Good. Let them in,” he barked at Jonathan before glaring at every other player. “That goes for the rest of you as well. You’re a fucking team. Act like one.”
Thankfully, the reporters were still eager.
“Savage. Can I have five minutes of your time?” A reporter from ESPN crowded my space as I tried to get to my locker.
“Sure.” While I was used to being bombarded by questions, my gut had been churning the moment I’d seen the look in Lily’s eyes after my announcement.
She fucking hated me.
Her eyes didn’t hold just anger. They were a reflection of the venom she’d felt prior to our incredible night of passion. I doubted that would happen again. I’d be lucky if the girl didn’t burn me alive in my own bed.
There was no doubt she was capable of doing something so vindictive. How could I blame her?
“What was it like to have your fiancée in the stands?” the reporter asked.
“Amazing. Just for her to be able to see me bring home the win. But I couldn’t have done it without my team.”
“You kept Lily a secret. Was she your rabbit’s foot?”
The questions were all centered around my relationship and not the game. They also didn’t seem to think anything of the fight. But I knew there’d be pictures in vivid color of the incident. My teammates were all but being ignored. Reporters were falling over themselves, pushing and shoving to get closer. Even thesecurity guards were having a tough time keeping any sense of order.
I’d created a grade-A nightmare.
