I glance up slightly, doing a double take, my eyes widening slightly. What the fuck is she doing here? Can’t I catch a break?
I do a quick once over of Scarlett. Wearing a little, skin-tight black dress, strappy gold heels that make her legs look a mile long, though she’s only about five-foot-five in height, her perfect brown hair long and wavy flowing down her back. She looks hot as hell – and she knows it. I clock the rest of my teammates staring at her too, taking her in.
I flick my gaze back to her, panning over to her blonde friend. They’re laughing at something. What? I couldn’t care less; now I’m just annoyed. But of course, she’s here. I can’t escape her. At this point, she’s haunting me.
Suddenly, her eyes drift over to me. They widen slightly, before settling into the glare I’ve come to know quite well in the few meetings we’ve had.
I see Ash smirk in my peripheral, and I know he’s about to say something that’ll piss me off. “Go say hi, Carter,” He starts to tease, “Maybe if you ask her nicely, she’ll give you some good pointers on your form.”
I ignore him, keeping my eyes locked onheras she is still frozen at the entrance.
She whispers to her friend, then starts to approach, slow and deliberate, tilting her head slightly as though she is dissecting me. Her friend splits off to go find a table.
I decide to get the first word in, “Fancy seeing you here. Did you miss me that much already?”
“Absolutely not. Just knew I’d need to have a drink and let loose if I’m to put up with you for the next couple of months.” She snaps back.
I hear a low whistle before someone behind me whispers, “Oh, shit.”.
My pulse starts to race as I feel myself get heated, slightly embarrassed. I don’t have the chance to get another word in before she pipes up again, “Should I be concerned about any falls outside the studio as well? Or do you think you’ll be good?”
I glare. She knows she hit her target.
“No, princess. Yesterday was a one-time thing during a vulnerable moment. You’ll never see that happen again.” I retort.
I still feel my teammates eyes flicking between the two of us as we have a stand-off.
“You ready for tomorrow, Carter? I expect you won’t run out on me again if you want to be good in time for the season.” She just won’t let it rest, will she?
I decide to just keep it short. “Nope. Never again.”
She looks at me, somewhat perplexed, but continues anyway, “Don’t underestimate the work ahead Levi. If you stickto my plan, I really think we can have you healthy for the season opener.”
I roll my eyes, which is becoming an awfully common occurrence around this relentless woman. “Look, Quinn, you’re wasting your breath. I just don’t believe Pilates is the answer to my problems.”
I faintly hear a gasp in the background, though, it’s barely audible through the ruckus of the bar.
Her eyes narrow, “God, you’re a dick, aren’t you? And here I was hoping what happened yesterday would have given you a slice of humble pie, but clearly not.”
My jaw drops in shock. My brain is trying to formulate the words, but I’m at a loss.
“See you tomorrow, Carter.” She turns to my teammates, “Have a good night, boys.” Before she turns, swaying her hips and leaving us to watch after her as she walks.
I notice Reid smirking out of the corner of my eye, so I snap my head to look at him, “Not a fucking word, Ashford, I swear to God.”
He puts his hands up in surrender.
I can feel Steele’s stare on my face, but I don’t want to deal with it.
Finally, he speaks up, “You going to keep pretending everything is fine, or are we going to air it out?”
I look at him but stay silent, so he speaks again, “How’s the shoulder?”
I slightly shrug. This time, Ash speaks, “C’mon man. Give us something, We’re here for you.”
“I just don’t know what to say. I’m lost right now. Hockey is my purpose, what if I don’t have that anymore?”
“You’re not done, man. You’re going to heal. If I’m honest, Pilates will be good for you. You’ll come back stronger than all ofus.” Calloway reasons. But at this point, I’m not in the mood to be reasoned with.
