Piper gives him a glare, and I can tell she is completely zoned into the conversation.
“And you are?”
He holds out his hand. “I’m Jake. Eli, Anders, and Mikael’s agent.”
“Ah, right?” I hold out my hand and shake the Beta’s hand. I swallow back the metallic tang of fury I feel for this asshole.
“Guess I owe you for getting them traded and the way they are handling Tampa right now.”
“Hmm.” I don’t know what to say.
“It’s important they stay focused and don’t get distracted.”
“Are you saying I’m a distraction?”
He looks me up and down again. It’s not like he’s checking me out, but almost like he doesn’t see the appeal.
“Of course not.” He sits back down and doesn’t speak to me the rest of the game, but to the man to his left.
“What a fucking prick,” Piper mumbles next to me, and I nod my head in agreement and wonder if I should say something to the guys. I don’t want to put a wedge between them and their agent, but the way he spoke to me was not okay.
I ignore Jake to my left and try to enjoy the remainder of the game.
To put it plainly, the Foxes are beating the Lightning’s ass. It’s five to one, and there’s only ten minutes left in the game. Not that a comeback couldn’t happen, but with how intensely our team is playing, I don’t think they stand a chance. All three of them are on the ice again, and I’m laser focused on each of them.
The opposing team has gotten a little dirty with their moves since they are at such a deficit. One of them gets a break away and is immediately headed toward Anders. Mikael draws him to the right side of the ice and pushes him against the glass. Fans are banging on the glass and cheering him on as he attempts to get the puck from the other player. It’s a mix of Mikael pushing him into the plexiglass and the other player elbowing him.
It’s then that the elbow hits Mikael square in the face, knocking off his helmet. I’m on my feet immediately and watch as a thick trail of blood drips from his face onto the ice. He doesn’t need assistance and skates back to his bench. I watch on, expecting him to sit down and have his nose or mouth inspected. But they send him back to the locker room. The announcement is loud over the speakers. “Number sixty-seven, Mikael Martel is being sent back for medical attention. We’re waiting to hear about the severity.”
I’m on my feet, and Jake scoffs behind me. “It’s hockey. He’s going to get hurt. I’m sure he’s fine.”
“Fuck you,” I spit, and Piper is standing.
“What do you need, Charlotte?”
“I’ve gotta make sure he’s okay.” My heart is beating out of my chest and more than anything, I wish we had a bond right now, so I would have a grasp on his emotions. If we were bonded, I would know for sure if he was okay. It makes my chest hurt thinking about him being in pain or hurting.
“Okay, I don’t think they will let you see him, Charles.”
“They better let me see him. You.” I point to Jake. “Get me in to see him, now.”
“Sorry, sweetheart, no can do.”
“Take me to the locker room, and I won’t tell them that you called me sweetheart or a distraction. I’m sure by now you know how they can be when people hurt my feelings.” Jake blanches but weighs his options.
“Fine, let’s go.”
He walks so damn slowly I’m about to push him, but he has a lanyard with a barcode on it and takes me down to the locker room level. Security scans it and gives me a curious yet expectant look. He puts a hand on Jake’s shoulder but waves me in. “Mr. Martel said she was allowed back, but no one else.”
Jake rolls his eyes but walks back to his seat, and I press the door open. Mikael is sitting in front of his locker on the bench holding a cloth to his lip. I can’t help it. I’m in front of him in a second, grabbing his wrists.
“Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?”
He drops the rag, and his lip is barely bleeding. “I’m fine.”
I gape at him and look at his lip that is just slightly swollen and cracked.
“Then why didn’t you stay on the bench?” I push his shoulder.
