“Look, it’s the dynamic duo, pretending they don’t want to dick each other down in public,” Theo slurs.
“Ace wants to talk for a minute. Outside. Real quick.” We need to vacate before the “nice” men of Detroit teach us a lesson about getting dicked down. Theo is oblivious.
“Why didn’t he come get me?” Theo scowls.
“He wants to talk to both of us. About our line. And I said I’d grab you.” Brant uses his body to crowd Theo away from the bar.
“It’s a celebration. Not time for a captain lecture.” Theo grabs his beer bottle off the bar. Once his beer is in hand, it’s easier to guide him to the door. Of course, he tries to take it outside.
“It’s against the law. They might not arrest you, but someone will take a pic and throw it up on socials,” I try to reason with him.
“Fine.” He tilts his head back and finishes the bottle.
His Adam’s apple works up and down as he swallows fast. The fuck? He’s my stepbro. The stress must be getting to me.
It’s raining, and Theo puts up his hood. I didn’t bring rain gear, but I won’t melt.
“Where’s Ace?” Theo turns in a circle and moves to go back inside.
Brant steps in front of him, and I say, “We need to go. There’s a bunch of guys wanting to fight us.”
“You think I’m afraid?” He steps into my space, so we’renose to nose.
“No, but nothing positive will come of it. Either you kick someone’s ass and the media headline isSore winner, defenseman O’Keefe harms fan,or you get beat down and the headline isHow tough is defenseman O’Keefe, suffering injuries from fans. Let’s go.”
I turn, but he yanks me back in place so we’re breathing the same air. He smells like cedarwood, musk, and beer, and it’s not repulsive. Not even a little. I’m frozen in place.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do.” Both his hands fist my jacket and shove me away, but he pulls me right back.
A few men exit the bar behind me, and from their tone, they say something rude, but I can’t hear it. Everything happens so fast.
Brant snarls as a guy grabs for me and Theo. We’re so close, he gets a hand on both of us. I hear the spit and feel it drip down the back of my neck. Brant swings and connects with the culprit’s face, then gets hit in return.
Theo’s practically demonic, shoving and punching. But I purposefully keep my body between him and everyone else.
We hear sirens, and I freeze again. In the fight, flight, or freeze response, I’m a freezer. Theo snaps out of it and drags me and Brant into an alley, and we cut over to a cross street not far from our hotel.
“Are you happy now?” Theo grumbles. “You almost got me arrested.”
“Fuck off.” Brant uses his map app to ensure we’re going in the right direction.
“What’s it like to have a hero complex and need to save everyone? To always be the good guy,” he mocks. “I know who you are deep down, King. And it isn’t as pretty as you want everyone to believe.”
That’s it.
I snap.
Shoving Theo into a brick building, I pin him in place with my forearm to his chest. “You don’t know shit about me. Can you be grateful for one minute in your life?!” I’m shouting and drawing attention, but I’m beyond caring. “You had to grow up with an abuser instead of a father, but it doesn’t give you the right to shit on other people.”
Brant inhales with a surprised gasp.
Theo puffs up, but I’ve got pent-up rage simmering in my soul.
“We were concerned for your safety, and you repay us by telling a bar of drunk dudes who hate our team and are making veiled homophobic remarks that Brant and I are a couple. Which, you know we are not. Before that, I tracked you down, hoping your mom’s okay, and you insulted me. I thought I was doing you a favor by banning my asshole sperm donor from the arena because he treats you like garbage. Didn’t expect a thank you, but for Christ’s sake, could you not be a total asshole?” I’m breathing hard, and my chest heaves, creating contact.
His green eyes spark, and I shut my eyes. I’m wasting my time with him.
“I knew I’d get you to show your violent side. Always on a leash, acting like you’re so perfect. Look at you now.” His smile stops my heart.
