“Nah, Benton isn’t my type. I like my someone a little softer, with tits and an ass I could take a bite out of.” Korbin growls at my response, and I decide to let him off the hook. “She saw the puck hit my wrist and just wanted to make sure I was okay. Besides, it was fun screwing with her brother a little bit.”
What I don’t say is how much I liked her touching me. Caring for me. Not to mention, the way she smelled. I also don’t say how nice she was, or that I’m starting to get why Lincoln finds her so appealing. Korbin needs to get into his thick skull that she’s not her brother and doesn’t have anything to do with the issues that the two of them are still harboring.
“Come on, we have some press pictures to take,” Korbin mutters, his voice a little less growly now.
I give him a nod, and we head over to the photographers. It’s time to make the Scorpions sound like an amazing team. Which they aren’t. I just hope they don’t start talking about the rumors of the stupid matchmaker.
It’s about an hour later, and the event is finally winding down. I’m exhausted, and my wrist is killing me. I’m able to move it, so it’s not broken, just tender. But I now have a very clear reminder that at the next event, if there are any interactive events on the ice, I’m wearing my full gear.
As we are packing up, Benton approaches me just as I’m heading to the back of the rink after dropping off the empty boxes by the trash. I watch him heading my way, and honestly, I expected him to approach me way before now.
“Hey, Grady,” he calls out, and I stop as he steps in front of me.
“Yeah?”
“Can I talk to you?” He’s polite at first, but his tone turns sharp fast. Before I can answer him, he holds my gaze steady. “Stay away from my sister. She’s been through enough. She doesn’t need some Scorpion fuckboys playing her because she’s nice—just to get bored when her disability isn’t new and interesting anymore.”
I get it. Honestly, I do. There’s a lot of people who would probably do that to her; some of them probably even on this team. Just for the thrill of bragging rights because of the fact she’s Benton’s sister. But that’s not Lincoln, and it definitely isn’t me. While it’s no secret that Lincoln has slept around, he’s never used anyone or been cruel. It’s just not in his nature. Every woman he’s been with knows there’s no future with him, so they don’t expect one.
This isn’t the time to get into a fight with the guy, though. Not with all the press still hanging around. So instead, I nod inresponse, my jaw tight, swallowing whatever instinctual defense rises up as I walk away.
Benton doesn’t get a chance to say any more. I don’t suspect he was planning to, either, since he doesn’t try to stop me.
“Ready to get out of here?” Korbin asks when I get back to the table and notice he already has the remaining items packed up. Thankfully, there’s only one box, and he carries it, my throbbing wrist already thanking him.
“Yeah, let’s go. I’m ready to eat and relax.”
“How’s the wrist?”
I glance over as we pass the table the Krakens had set up, and see Benton talking to his sister. She glances over at me and smiles, and I give her one back.
“It hurts, but it’ll be okay."
Now I understand why Lincoln can’t stay away.
Why Bayleigh’s worth every bit of trouble that’s coming.
16
Bayleigh
I can’t stop replayingMilton’s words in my head—that he’d bet that Lincoln would take ASL classes so that he could talk to me without an interpreter. The idea is… well, it’s sweet; almost painfully so. If it’s true. Just the mere idea twists something inside of me, making me giddy.
It’s not that I haven’t had people try to learn for me before. I had a couple of friends, teachers, even a guy I dated before; all of them tried to learn. But it never fails; when they see how much time it takes and how most people just end up staring, they always give up. I’m not worth the effort, and I’ve come to terms with that. Yet, just the mention that Lincolnmight tryto learn is enough to have my heart soaring with anticipation.
I can already imagine sitting in front of Lincoln, our eyes gazing into one another’s as we speak to each other. Alone. No James around to interpret our most intimate and playful thoughts.
With all my heart, I want to believe that Lincoln’s different from most of the people I’ve encountered, but Benton’s words linger in my mind. A dull reminder that everyone leaves becausethey don’t want the extra work that comes with being around me. Sometimes, there’s a nagging question in the back of mind that even James wouldn’t be around if he weren’t my paid interpreter. If Benton weren’t my brother, would he be my friend?
Immediately the past takes hold.
I need to use the bathroom so badly I’m afraid I’m going to pee myself. I write out a note real quick, then raise my hand. Mrs. Wildchild waves me up to her, and I take her the slip of paper. She nods her head and I rush from the room, barely making it to the bathroom in time.
Taking my time, I wash my hands when I’m done, run my fingers through my hair, and tame the wild strands. Two more hours and school is done, and Albert is taking me to eat at the diner. I still can’t believe he asked me out. He’s a senior, and I’m just a sophomore.
I open the door and head down the hallway, but then I see Albert turning the corner. He should be in class. Speeding my steps, I rush to catch up with him. But when I turn the corner, I see him with Allie. She has her back against the lockers, and Albert’s pressed up against her, hand gripping her breast as they kiss passionately.
I step back, hand going to my mouth. Why? He is going on a date with me today.
