It’s one of the easiest questions I’ve answered.
Maybe that’s why this has been so hard. Not one single person has come out in support of my relationship with Nick. I know what the pundits are saying on the sports news shows. They’re saying I somehow coerced Nick into a relationship because of the age difference. Or how he used me to secure his starting spot with the team.
I don’t know why it’s so hard to believe that two people happened to fall in love, regardless of their positions with the team.
“All I want is to be with Nick,” I mutter, glancing down at my shoes. “I didn’t mean to fall in love with him, but I did.”
The thought of breaking his heart is too much for me to bear. I didn’t plan on falling for him, but he’s the only person who understands me. Knows what it’s like to grow up in my shoes.
I’ve never been with someone so kind, so tender, and someone as loving as him.
“I know, sweetie. Until then, you need to put on your big girl pants and not let everyone get you down. Take a few deep breaths, cry, scream it out, but when you go back out there, you’re Wonder Woman. Nothing fazes you.”
“Do I get the bulletproof cuffs?”
“Only to ward off the ugly words of the press.” Cassie smiles at me. “And just in case, I’ll send Cash to do a PR event with Puck and the public will eat it up.”
I snort laugh, as she wraps an arm around me and steers me back toward our box before the start of the third period. “Who knew Cash Williams would become our saving grace?”
Cassie gives me a knowing look. “Me. It’s why you pay me the big bucks.”
Nick
Family members comeand go as the guys slowly filter out of the locker room after the game. I don’t miss the way no one looks at me.
I need to find a way to fix this and fast. Even if I’m suspended, I have to apologize to the guys. I’ve never lost my cool like that during a game.
The family suite is quiet now, only me here. Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I start to pace, working through what I’m going to say to Coach Barney.
He’s the type of person you never want to disappoint. And that’s exactly what I did today.
“Nick.”
It’s not the voice of Coach Barney like I was expecting.
It’s Bexley.
The set of her shoulders. The deep frown sitting on her face. The wetness ringing her red eyes.
She’s a mess. All because of me. Fuck.
“C’mere.”
I open my arms and she falls into them, holding on tight.
“What were you thinking?” Bex whispers against my chest.
“I couldn’t let that guy get away with talking about you like that.”
Bex pulls out of my arms and leads me over to the couch, pulling both of us down.
“Nick, I don’t need you fighting my battles for me.”
“But—”
“No buts.” She puts a single finger over my mouth to cut off any further conversation. “I’ve probably heard a lot worse than what he said, and it certainly won’t be the last time.”
“Bex, I love you. They shouldn’t get away with that.”
