Madison raises an eyebrow. “And they just... let you move in? Out of the goodness of their hearts?”
I find myself being embarrassed. Oh, God. This is what Jax was feeling, isn’t it? Maybe I was too pushy with him, too expecting. I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.
“Yeah. They––uh, they’re a big help. It’s kind of complicated, I guess.”
“I bet it is,” Elle mutters.
Zinnia’s distracted by the Jumbotron, not paying attention to our conversation.
Elle leans closer and whispers, “This is why you haven’t been replying to my texts, huh? Tell me which one it is.”
I blush. “It’s not like that, Elle.”
“Come on. I would die to sleep with a hockey player. Especially the hot ones.”
My face burns hotter. “Elle—”
Madison’s eyes go wide. She leans over Zinnia, and whispers to Elle, “Oh my God, is it both of them?”
Elle’s jaw drops. She stares at me. “If I remember correctly, there were three.”
Madison’s jaw widens as she scoffs and mutters, “Jealous!”
I don’t confirm and don’t deny. I reach over and pat Zinnia’s head, pulling her in for a side hug to avoid answering.
“I’m not judging,” Elle says quickly. “I’m jealous. How did they even—”
“She was shot,” Zinnia says without looking away from the screen. “So Jax took her in. He protected her.”
Elle and Madison both go still.
I close my eyes. “Zinni—”
“What? It’s true.”
Elle reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “Tiger, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to imply––”
“It’s okay, Elle. I told you it’s complicated.”
“Lily probably would’ve died if Jax and Zeff didn’t save her,” Zinnia says coldly.
I blink.
Madison says to me, “I’m happy that they protected you.”
I force a grin. “Me too.”
The lights dim and music starts blaring. The team skates out onto the ice. Zinnia jumps to her feet. “That’s them! That’s Jax and Zephyr and Callum!”
I stand too and watch them circle the ice during warmups.
Number 39. Jax. Right wing.
Number 17. Zephyr. Right defense.
Number 12. Callum. Left wing.
My chest tightens watching them. They look different out there. Confident. Powerful. In their element.
