“We were wondering the same thing about you,” Blake barks, and my heart shatters at the cruelness in his voice.
“Boys, it’s time to get on the ice. This beautiful woman is my daughter and off limits,” my dad announces loudly.
“Come on, Geneva, we need to get home.” Antony leans in, kissing me on the cheek. I’m too stunned to even think about what he just said or did, to push him away or kick him in his nuts.
“Yeah, Geneva, you need to go,” Blake snarls before moving past me to the ice, quickly skating to the center of the rink. Yep, he’s pissed.
“What are you doing here, Ginny? And skating? You said you couldn't?” A raging storm of emotions and questions swirl in Chase’s eyes, dimming the bright spark they once held within them. Is it because of me? The glassy sheen of unshed tears showcase how vulnerable he truly is. His gaze is directed at me but distant, as he stalks the movement of the man that just left. Did something happen between them?
“I’m done.” Chase throws his hands in the air, giving me one final look before heading onto the ice.
“Why? Can you answer that?” Carter asks as the tips of Antony’s fingernails dig into my skin.
“GiGi, who is this? How do you know him? I didn’t realize you had visited your dad during training season. When did you slip away from me?” Of course, Antony’s going to butt in and fuckingstir the pot, placing another kiss on the side of my face as he pulls me tighter to him.
What the fuck? Is he trying to show ownership of me like I’m a fucking possession?
“It’s a long story. Please—”
“You know what… forget it, save it for some other poor sap you want to fuck with. I’m done.” Carter snaps and shifts his eyes to Antony. “Sorry dude, I didn’t know she had a boyfriend.” He skates away, not even giving me a second look, and my heart breaks again, just like it did that morning I walked away.
My eyes follow his movement as he skates onto the ice, and I notice that none of them are near each other, placing as much distance as possible between one another.
“Good riddance. I’m glad I was here to save you from those Neanderthals of your dad’s. But one question. How do you know them? I thought you had a firm no hockey player rule.” Antony’s jealousy leaks through, dripping off each word.
It finally registers that I’m still in Antony’s arms and how that may have looked to them. I pull out of his grasp and shove him away. “What the fuck, Antony? What’s with the controlling boyfriend vibes?”
“I was saving you. Sorry if you don’t know what that looks like. Besides, who are they?”
“No one.” It’s a lie, but he doesn’t need to know who they really are. No, not who they are to me… more like who they were, because they're notmineanymore. I have to remember they were just a holiday fling and nothing more. I can’t let my feelings get in the way of my plans for the Olympics. Or rather, my plans to live a life of happiness.
“Didn’t seem that way. I wonder what your dad would think.” He smirks with disdain as he glares at the ice, his eyes moving between the three men now gathered around my father, with distance still between them.
“It doesn’t matter because there’s nothing to tell,” I state firmly.
“Good. I have big plans for my future including medaling at the Olympics. I’m not going to let what I assume to be easy fucks mess that up.” I’ve never heard such bitterness come from his mouth. Is the true Antony finally coming out to play?
I’m fuming inside, but I can’t let him know that his words have hit a nerve. Not giving him a second look, I step over to my bag where it sits on the edge of the ice, pull out my blade guards, and slip them on. I don’t even care about going to my dad’s office to change. I’m getting the fuck out of here.
I take one final look back at the rink before storming off.
I need to remember they’re hockey players, and on my “fucking not ever” list, no matter how bad I wish for something different.
Chapter 2
Chase
Coach keeps hollering abouthow he’s going to ride our asses hard, especially if we plan to make it to the Frozen Four Tournament in April. But I can’t stay focused and I know I’ll be paying for it later. All I can focus on is that the man I love who hates me now, and the woman who’s consumed us since meeting her, is here. Not just here, but she’s Coach Lein’s daughter. And that makes her one hundred percent off limits.
Carter bumps my shoulder and I glance at him, seeing the concern in his eyes. He’s conflicted and I hate that he’s in this position, being torn between his best friend and his brother. Now he has the added what-the-fuck of seeing Ginny. This has all turned into one big clusterfuck.
“Okay boys, let’s get out there. We’re starting with suicides!” Coach bellows, and we all move to the line. I head toward Blake, but he must see me in his periphery because he hurries to the end of the row, leaving me with another pain searing through my heart. Why can’t he understand how I feel? I’ve just confessed my love for him in front of everyone. Doesn’t that mean anything to him?
I shake off all thoughts of Blake and Ginny. I need to focus so I can make it through this practice, then I’ll worry about them.
Looking down the row, I see we’re all on the line, bent forward with our hands resting on our knees, as we impatiently wait for the shrill whistle to sound.
“Go!” Coach barks, blowing his whistle and we all jump into action.
