He knows I’ve heard him.
He knows I understand exactly what he’s implying without him directly saying the words.
For a moment, neither of us speaks.
He gestures toward the door, already shifting his focus back to his computer. “You’ve been cleared. Go home. Get some rest.”
I’m halfway out when he adds, “Be smart, Cooper. Don’t let some girl cost you everything.”
I don’t tell him what I want to say, which is to fuck off. Instead, I pull the door open harder than necessary and stalk out of his office.
The hallway feels colder than before. My shoulder throbs in a way I can’t ignore now.
I pull my phone out without really thinking about it. I told Brinley I’d call when I left. Her name is at the top of my screen. For a second, I stare at it.
I can picture her answering. The way she’d pretend she wasn’t waiting. The way she’d ask if I was okay, like she’s been anxiously awaiting the answer.
I want to hear her voice.
That’s the problem.
If he’s already being “informed,” if he’s already paying attention to where she is and who she’s talking to, then calling her won’t stay a secret. It turns into leverage he can use against me.
And worse, against her.
My thumb hovers over her name a second longer, then I lock the screen and shove the phone back into my pocket.
The second I push through the doors, I drag in a breath, trying to get a handle on it. My shoulder tightens when I roll it, but I don’t stop walking.
I’ve played hockey long enough to know when things feel off.
And for the first time since I put on the Wolves jersey, I’m starting to wonder who I’m really supposed to trust.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Brinley
The barn is quiet when Atlee drops me off, aside from the sound of Penalty shuffling around in her stall.
I take the stairs up to the apartment and drop my keys on the counter, shrugging out of my jacket. The familiar creak of the floors grounds me for half a second before my phone buzzes in my hand.
Wren: The guys are having people over tonight. You coming?
Wren: I could use some help getting everything set up before the guys get here.
We exchanged numbers after the game, knowing we’d be seeing more of each other in the future.
I stare at the message, then back out and open the thread with Cooper. He still hasn’t called me, but I’m sure he had to get checked out by the medical staff before he showered.
I debate taking Wren up on her offer before I quickly fire back a response.
Me: On my way.
I change out of Cooper’s jersey, shoving it into my bag and switching over to a sweater before pulling my hair up without caring how it looks.
I head back downstairs after I lock up, then send a message to Cooper about the change in plans.
Me: Heading to the hockey house.
