Her feet are propped up against the boards, a textbook clutched in her gloved hands. I know she’s here for my benefit only; she would much rather be in her dorm, nice and warm and away from the crowd. I hadn’t asked her to come, either, having decided to give her some space after our recent flirtations almost turned into something more. She just came, jersey and all, a cute little sign at her feet that says Go Blakey-bear!
Yeah. I’m never living that one down.
Brookside’s colors are black and gold, which is a good thing, as by the end of the second period, I’m practically dripping blood.
The moment the buzzer goes I skate over to where Alexis and Alissa sit near the sin bin and put my hands against the plexiglass, waiting for her to do the same.
“Oh my god, Blake!” she gasps. “Are you okay? Shouldn’t you be with a doctor? Do we need to take you to a hospital?”
Oh, right. Sometimes I forget what we must look like to people who don’t follow the sport, all that blood and sweat and violence. What can I say? I like to play rough.
I shoot her a wink. “No worries, Sunshine. Most of this blood isn’t even mine.”
Her face relaxes only slightly, allowing me to really take her in. Alexis looks pale, those big eyes red with fatigue, her hands shaking ever so slightly—she’s exhausted. She shouldn’t be here. She should be at home, in bed, getting the rest she needs. Why isn’t she telling me to fuck off and leaving? Why does she stay when it only causes her harm?
Alexis angles her head, shaking me from my thoughts. “Promise?”
“I promise.” I press a kiss to her palm through the glass, missing her warmth. My body aches with abuse and all I want isto feel her in my arms, to get even a whisper of a kiss from those soft lips. But those things aren’t mine to wish for. Not really. “Why don’t you go home and get some sleep? I’ll text you when I get home to prove I’m in one piece.”
Despite her exhaustion, a mischievous smile creeps onto Alexis’ lips. “No way. Not until you score the winning goal and dedicate it to me.”
I grin at her as Levi grabs me by the collar to pull me back to where the team has gathered, butterflies wreaking havoc in my stomach. She might not be truly mine, but I don’t care. Because she’s just given me permission to claim her, mark her as mine.
And so, as Levi pulls me further and further away from her, I press my fingers together to form a heart meant just for her.
Now all I need is to score and seal the deal.Challenge accepted.
Chapter 13
Alexis
The arena wascold and loud, making it impossible to fall asleep right away despite my exhaustion. To help wind down, I press play on one of my favorite shows and put on a face mask while I wait for my tea. Lottie, my best friend aside from Alissa, isn’t picking up her phone. Which sucks, as I haven’t talked to her in a few weeks due to our conflicting schedules. I just text her to call me when she can.
A click, a flash, and the bubbling noise stops. Embers dance over the counter top, jumping from the electric kettle. I rush to pull the plug from the socket, but most of the damage has already been done.Shit.That’s on me for buying a cheap one, I guess, but even the cheap one I could barely afford; I definitely can’t replace it right now. Guess there will be no cherry tea in my future.
I’m halfway through an episode ofReignwhen my phone dings twice. I wave it off, figuring it’s spam, but when I unlock my phone to check the time averyshirtless Blake fills my screen.
I bite my lip as I stare at it, taking in all that muscle and bulging veins, right down to the very sculpted V line way down lo—wait, is he even wearing pants?
Blake
Proof I’m unharmed.
Unharmed? You’re covered in bruises!
Semantics.
Btw you should set that picture as your lock screen.
You know, for the contest.
Yeah, right. You just want me to stare at your abs all day, don’t you?
I did get them just for you.
Might be nice to appreciate them every once in a while, Sunshine.
Why don’t you come over here and make me?
