"He does, doesn't he?" He lifts his hands and brings them back down with a frustrated look. "This reads like a guy stalking you and trying to..."
"Stop," I say, cutting him off. "You don't get to control my life by reading my private messages and dictating who I talk to."
"I'm trying to protect you!"
"I don't need your protection!" The words explode out of my mouth, all the frustration and humiliation from today erupting. "I need you to trust that I'm smart enough to make my own decisions. I need you to see me as an adult instead of your baby sister who needs saving."
Hurt flickers across Marcus's features. "Ivy..."
"Just go. Please."
His eyes meet mine, mouth tense. His eyes squint in suspicion.
"Alright," he says in a low voice. "But if he hurts you, I'll destroy him."
10
DECLAN
Possessiveness
They're all talking about her, and it's pissing me off.
"I'm just saying that Dr. Chandler smiled at me yesterday," Connor announces to no one in particular. "Like really smiled. That has to mean something, right?"
"It means you're delusional," Tyler shoots back as he lounges against the locker room's wall while taping his stick. "She smiles at everyone. It's called being professional."
"Not the way she smiled at me."
"She looks at you like you're a puppy who won't stop humping her leg."
"That's... that's just mean, man."
I keep my eyes on my skates, lacing them tightly. Every mention of Ivy's name makes possessiveness flare hot in my chest.
She's not theirs to discuss or smile at.
"We should make a bet." Tyler grins, that troublemaker gleam in his dark eyes. "Whoever performs best tonight gets to ask Dr. Chandler out."
Several players laugh. A few nod in agreement. Marcus gives Tyler a murderous glare. Already in his goalie pads, Misha sits in stoic silence, staring at nothing.
"I'm in," Connor eagerly says.
"You're benched for the first period, Hayes," Coach says, standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. "You're in for the bet before you're even in the game."
"I'll make up for it in the second period."
"Gentlemen, Dr. Chandler is here to help us. And she's Marcus's sister," Jake says.
His voice isn't loud, but everyone shuts up anyway. That's what twelve seasons as captain get you. Respect.
"And she deserves better than being treated like a prize in some juvenile bet," he concludes.
"We're just having fun," Tyler protests.
"Have it somewhere else." Jake's dark eyes are serious. "She's off-limits. Clear?"
Murmured agreement ripples through the room. Connor deflates slightly. Tyler shrugs like he doesn't care, but there's a faraway look on his face.
