Lexie's gaze shot up to his as she said. “He‘ll be gone when you get here. Whatever it is, Berk, it’s gonna be okay.”
“I know,” Berkley said quickly. “I’ll see you soon.”
Lexie hung up and said, “You need to leave. Now.”
“Like hell I do,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “If something happened between us leaving her at the bar and now, there’s only one person to blame.”
His rat bastard teammate. Mitch shouldn’t be surprised, given Parker spent the entire night talking about how he would take her home, even though Mitch had been very clear that she was not to be touched.
She was Jean’s. They all knew that even if she didn’t.
“Mitch, I’m serious. I’m sorry that whatever this is,” she said, gesturing between them, “got interrupted, but Berkley needs me right now. You can’t be here.”
“Look,” Mitch said, stepping forward to twine a lock of Lexie’s silky hair around his finger. “I know I just met y’all tonight, but I’ve heard a lot about Berkley from Jean. And after this sexy little makeout session, we’re friends now, aren’t we?” He gave her a sly grin, which she returned.
“Yes, I suppose so. Although I was really hoping for some benefits,” she said.
“Me too,” Mitch told her honestly. His dick was still straining against his jeans, and he looked down to where her own was hanging open, a glimpse of red lace barely visible. She followed his gaze and hastily zipped herself back up. “But if Parker had something to do with this,” Mitch continued, “I want to be there for Berkley. Since Jean can’t.”
Lexie studied him, her eyes flitting across his face as if looking for some insincerity in his words. When she didn’t find it, she said, “Okay. Let’s go down to wait for her. She can’t be far away.”
She turned from him, and he reached out to clasp her wrist in his hands, pulling her in for a searing kiss. They both breathed heavily when he broke away, leaning his forehead against hers. “I promise there will be plenty of time for benefits later.”
She threaded her fingers through his and made their way down to the street.
A few minutes later, Berkley arrived, and apparently, the ashen quality of her skin gave Lexie second thoughts about his presence because she said, “You can go.”
He ignored her, walking up to the cab to help Berkley out. She was shaking so badly that he half-carried her onto the sidewalk where Lexie was standing. “Are you okay?” He asked.
Berkley shook her head, eyes wild, blonde hair flying in the light breeze. “I don’t want to talk about this here. Can we just go upstairs?”
“Of course,” Lexie said, reaching out for Berkley’s hand. “Mitch, you can leave.”
“No!” Berkley said, the word loud and laced with fear but firm. “I want him here. I…” She broke off, and tears spilled down her cheeks. Mitch pulled her to his chest as the first sob tore free from her throat.
“Oh, honey,” he said, gently rubbing circles on her back.
Lexie stepped up next to him, and they wordlessly helped Berkley up to the apartment.
Once inside, Berkley shrugged them off and made a beeline for the kitchen, pulling a bottle of tequila from the freezer, then removing a shot glass from the cupboard.
Mitch guessed this wasn’t the first time Berkley participated in this particular ritual.
After Berkley had downed a shot, Mitch said, “Okay, what the fuck is going on?”
“Parker tried to assault me.” The words were flat, cold, and detached. It had happened less than twenty minutes ago, and Berkley was already stoic.
Mitch, on the other hand, was neither cold nor detached. The instant the statement fell from Berkley’s lips, Mitch’s cheeks heated as his anger spiked.
“He WHAT?” He and Lexie yelled in unison.
Berkley briefly recounted the events of the cab ride.
“I’ll kill him,” he said when Berkley finished, already moving toward the door, teeth ground together, fists clenched.
Berkley raced toward him and grabbed his arm as if that alone could hold him back. He was over a foot taller and at least a hundred pounds heavier and had rage on his side. And almost nothing could stop a pissed-off hockey player.
“No, Mitch, please don’t,” she begged him. Tears welled in her eyes again, the lines of her face etched in distress. “I can’t have anyone finding out.”
