“Don’t even pretend that you didn’t fake diarrhea to run off and see your girl. The old Rowan would have never done that.”
My jaw ticks. My hand flexes. I feel like punching him but I know that will get me in trouble with coach and cause shit to hit the fan in the locker room. All I want to do is shower and get to Millie. “Don’t fucking insert yourself into my business again,” I command, leaving little room for argument.
“I don’t think I’ll have to,” Beau says cryptically before walking off towards the showers.
Great, just fucking great.
I grab my towel and start heading that way before I’m stopped again. This time it’s Aiden. I raise one eyebrow in aggravation at the interruption.Can’t a guy just take a damn shower?
“I just wanted to say thank you for handling all that shit with my dad. Sounds like it went as well as we could have hoped. Olivia texted and said he wasn’t too big of a prick and she got a pretty decent story out of the whole ordeal.”
I instantly feel bad for my irritation towards him. It had nothing to do with him, and I was a dick when he was just trying to express his gratitude. “That’s great, man,” I answer sincerely, because I really do mean it. “Glad to hear it.”
Aiden just stands there watching me for a moment before asking, “Looks like you got your luck back, huh?”
I smile at the reminder of how good tonight’s game went and I think I only have one person to thank for it. My good luck charm,Millie St. James.“I think so, man.”
“Good to have you back, Cap,” he says as he slaps me on the shoulder.
“Good to be back.” I return the gesture.
Once he walks off and I make sure there isn’t anyone else that needs my attention I head straight to the shower, making quick work of rinsing off.
It isn’t long before I’m in the arena, searching for my good luck charm.
Ah, there she is.And boy is she a beautiful sight.
If I thought I had lost my marbles for wanting to seek her out midgame and then acting on that impulse, it had nothing on this moment.
Right now, I want to go over and kiss the hell out of her. Claim her in front of all the people I care about and even those that are strangers. I want everyone to know who she belongs to.
There's just one problem. She doesn't belong to me, at least not yet.
I do the next best thing. I go up and grab her around the waist, pulling her into my side and then my front, giving her the biggest hug I can manage.
Her face softly plants into my chest and I hear the tiniest giggle. "Hey, there."
"Hi," I say softly as my hand goes up to cradle the back of her head.
She leans her head back, her eyes twinkling with an emotion I feel deep in my chest.
"How did you like the game?"
She doesn't hesitate to answer. "I loved it! Rowan you are—" she shakes her head in disbelief. "Amazing to watch. Thank you for inviting me."
"If I could have it my way, you would be at every game. I should be thanking you."
She smiles, "What do you mean?"
"I think you're my new good luck charm, Daredevil." My smile is unabashed and uninhibited. "That's the best I've ever played and it's all thanks to you."
Her smile turns shy. "I think you did all that on your own, Rowan. Don't sell yourself short."
But I'm already shaking my head, "Nope, it was all you, beautiful." I lean down and plant a soft kiss on the top of her forehead, wishing I could do so much more. The small gesture settles a little of the unrest in my chest but not by much.
"Well, I guess we can agree to disagree." That shy smile has turned into the stubborn smile I've come to love.
"Whatever you want to call it but just know I'm right. Maybe I should take up calling you Lucky Charm instead."
