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We continue our game, but glare at each other for the rest of practice.
I avoid Mitch afterward in the showers and locker room, but when I walk outside to my car, he’s leaning against it.
“What’s your problem?” Mitch asks when I’m within earshot.
“My problem?” I pin him with a serious expression. “Teammates are supposed to have each other’s backs. But you’re over here buddying up to my certifiably insane exes.”
“I thought she was your girlfriend. That’s how she made it sound.” He shrugs unapologetically.
“I’m not even worried about myself here, but your actions caused unnecessary drama and hurt someone I love.”
He huffs out a laugh. “Okay, I shouldn’t have told her where you were. But you’re blowing this out of proportion.”
“Am I?”
“I know your kind, golden boy. Guys like you who’ve been handed everything in life can’t seem to let the small things just roll off of their shoulders.” He removes himself from my car and starts to walk away.
I cock my head and look at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“You waltz in here like you own the place, slapping on assistant captain right away.” He scoffs. “When some of us have been busting our asses on this team for years only to be completely overlooked.”
I’m silent as he stalks over to his vehicle, gets inside, and drives off.
“Don’t worry about Mitch.”
I look over my shoulder to see Colby Knight walking toward me. He continues speaking, “He had a pretty rough upbringing, dad’s in jail. I don’t know all the details.” He shrugs. “But he’s the best defenseman we have. One of the best in the league in my opinion.”
“That explains a lot.” I blow out a breath. “But still, the guys a jerk.”
“He’s prickly, but you’ll learn to love him… eventually.” He smirks.
I huff out an unconvinced laugh. “Anyway. Wanna grab some dinner?”
“You buying, Mr. Hotshot Assistant Captain?” He asks with a grin.
“Fine.” I gesture to my car. “Hop in.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
MELANIE
Noel sits on the sofa next to me with a stunned expression on her face. I just rehashed all the details of the drama that happened at the cafe this morning. Noel, of course, listened in rapt attention.
“So, he just grabbed you and kissed you?!”
“Yep. And don’t get me wrong, the man can kiss. Oh my, can he kiss.” I sigh. “I don’t know how he managed to charm my defenses away so fast.”
She rests one elbow on the back of the couch and turns to look at me. “That’s some hot caveman stuff right there, Mel. He’s gotta have feelings for you. Guys don’t just randomly kiss people to get rid of their exes.”
“If it wouldn’t have been for Katarina stopping by, I think I’d agree with you. I mean, it definitely felt like he was flirting.” I purse my lips. “But Katarina was flawlessly stunning. I’m sure they were the picture-perfect couple. Their children would’ve been gorgeous freaks of nature.”
Her mouth twists in annoyance. “So?”
“Remember the other night when we scrolled through Google images of West? Every woman with him in those photos was tall, model-thin, and gorgeous.” Noel opens her mouth to talk but I put my hand up to stop her so I can explain myself better. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I’m a troll or anything. But I’m pretty sure I’m not West’s type.”
Noel turns to face me and crosses her arms. She looks irritated. “Do you see him happily in a long-term relationship with any of those models?”
Before I can respond, she continues, “Yeah. Exactly. Plus, what if someone thought Jeff was your type?” She raises one eyebrow like she’s challenging me to disagree. “Then every boring man in the county would be knocking on your door.”
