If Cole has a problem with me, then we can address it. I’m loyal as hell, and if he doesn’t trust me six years in, then maybe he never will.
I text Luca.
I’m in.
CHAPTER 12
LAINEY
I’ve never hadsuch bad anxiety, watching a game before. I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of Jensen all night. It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop and his injury to overtake him.
I’m rooting for the Nighthawks—after all, that’s my team now—but I’m still cheering for my brother every chance that I get. He’s such a great hockey player, both in spirit and in skill.
But I can’t acknowledge his abilities without thinking of Jensen. They became the great players they are because of one another and the countless times they spent practicing together, growing up.
Sometimes, I miss the ice, the competitiveness of the game. I loved playing it in middle school and the start of high school, but I knew it wasn’t for me.
That doesn’t stop me from being an avid pro women’s hockey supporter though. Speaking of which, I should get tickets for an upcoming game. Maybe Morgan would be interested in going with me.
The Nighthawks are winning three to one, and there’s four minutes left in the game. The only way we’re losing this is if we really mess it up.
But luckily, the guys manage to hold it together for the remaining minutes and seal the win for the books, meaning that our friend group outing of three is probably going to be a lot rowdier since Luca and Jensen decided that we’re going to The Penalty Box after the game regardless of the outcome.
Before I head to the bar though, I want to stop at home, change, and grab my Taser that I can’t have in the arena.
My heart is in my throat as I step out of the taxi and walk toward the front door of the bar, the air freezing cold as it cuts through the thin material of my top, a cute long-sleeved wrap shirt that ties in the back. Being cold is what I get for not wearing a jacket like an idiot.
The front door opens, and a few guys stumble out, causing every hair on the back of my neck to stand on end. My foot slams to a stop not a few feet away from them, and I suck in a sharp breath.
It’s fine. They’re not going to hurt me. They’re just leaving.
I slip my hand in my purse just in case, wrapping it around the mini Taser.
Just walk away, boys.
They don’t even look my way as they turn toward the parking lot, singing and swaying their way to a vehicle that they hopefully won’t be driving.
My curiosity gets the better of me, and I watch them, waiting to see where they go. Thankfully, one of them pulls away from the group and hails a cab, and a moment later, they are falling into it.
Exhaling the air that was choking me, I take a slow and steady deep breath.
“I’m okay,” I whisper to myself before turning back to the bar and strolling to the door, forcing myself to pull it open and walk inside even though my body is telling me to turn around and go home.
Every nerve in me is standing on end as I step through the threshold and scan the room, already feeling too overwhelmed to function. The place is packed, deafeningly loud, and …
This was a bad idea.
“Lainey!” Luca’s voice somehow cuts through the noise.
Following the sound, I find him waving aggressively from behind a section roped off and guarded by security.Fancy.
I start weaving through the bodies toward the private area that is occupied with a herd of the Nighthawks players and their partners, along with some seemingly nervous and random girls who are definitely hoping to become one.
As I break through the crowd, my blood runs cold, and my cheeks heat up in anger at the vision that fills my sight.
There’s a girl sitting right next to Jensen, pressed up against his side, and for some ungodly reason, it makes me want to rip my skin off … or maybehers—I can’t tell.
Her tits are practically falling out of her shirt as she looks up at him like he hung the moon, her lips moving nonstop as he listens like he mightactuallycare.
