Triple Power Play (Obsessed Players Club #1)

23. Jackson

TWENTY-THREE

JACKSON

“You’re a fucking idiot. You know that? And so we’re clear, that’s a rhetorical question.” Ethan is spitting mad, furious I was nearly ejected from the game.

“Yes, Coach.” My sincere tone cuts through the hushed locker room, all attention on us.

If it was any other time, I’d have responded, “ Calm down, Coach. Don’t blow that bulging vein in your forehead. I won the game, didn’t I ?” I’d have escalated things and got in his face for calling me an idiot.

But for once, I don’t want to argue.

“I heard what he said. I would’ve done the same,” Killian says in my defense.

I lift my chin in acknowledgment. “Thanks, Kill.”

My right hand throbs with pain, and I struggle to unlace my skates. Now that the adrenaline has worn off, I fear I’ve broken something. It wouldn’t be my first “boxer’s fracture.” That happened by punching a wall after Aurora politely smiled at a flirtatious guy. That was me being an idiot. This time, I’m directing my aggression where it belongs.

Ethan throws his arms up. “Do you want to explain what almost cost us the game?” He scans the room. “And someone get him a fucking x-ray!”

I loosen my ties, deliberating on what to share. The locker room remains silent, and I realize every player will eventually find out. You can’t hide anything from this team.

Lifting my head, I glare at Ethan. Just because I’m calm doesn’t mean I won’t lose my temper if he mocks me about Aurora. “He said he’d pile-drive my baby mama like he did that goal .” I take a slow, deep breath to quell my agitation. “He questioned if the child is mine, claiming every player in the league has come on her tits or some fucking shit.”

My nostrils flare, and my chest heaves. Although Irving’s comments were directed toward Aurora’s centerfold pictures, he inadvertently hit me where it hurts. Few people know the baby isn’t mine, but fuck, I wish he was.

And when the truth is revealed, I expect nonstop harassment on the ice. In hockey, when you’re challenged, you’d better fight back. If you don’t, you’ll be the target of every player.

Tonight’s altercation was to make it clear I won’t tolerate any disrespect out of their mouths, not when it comes to Aurora.

Ethan presses his lips together and nods. He steps closer and clasps my shoulder. I don’t love it when he does that, but it doesn’t trigger the same jarring reaction as it once did.

“Before you let baseless insults provoke you, get a paternity test. The truth might have you laughing at their stupid shit instead of throwing fists.”

Confused, I tilt my head and furrow my brows. What’s he suggesting? Is he telling me he’s not the father, that I have a chance here? Did he and Aurora have a conversation I’m unaware of?

He lowers his voice, even though nothing is missed in this locker room. “Perhaps she’s afraid of your history or Kyle. Lies don’t send people into a rage. It’s the truth that hurts. Your reaction is only going to spur more harassment.”

My heart rate elevates, and I wonder what he’s playing at. Is he letting me take the fall for this? Letting me claim his child? If he wants, I’ll disregard him as the father and return to my plan of spoiling Aurora and the baby.

That’s the plan, regardless. Only now, I have to contend with him—the one respectable man in my life, except for maybe Grant and Kill.

I gaze down at my skates, smiling. To the other players, it may appear as if I’m contemplating the idea of the child being mine because Aurora lied to me. If that were the case, I’d be fucking ecstatic. So, I allow myself to believe it, allow it to swell in my chest and light up my veins.

Raucous conversation fills the room, and we move on as if nothing happened. The trainer brings an ice pack and removes my skates while I sip a protein shake, and Ethan gives the postgame speech.

When he finishes, he reminds everyone we’re a team on and off the ice—we don’t talk shit, and we don’t involve the media. I can’t help but wonder if his words carry a deeper meaning, one that speaks to the two of us.

With a day between games, there’s no time to travel home. Right after I get an x-ray, showing no significant injury, only inflammation from aggravating my previous fractures, we leave to catch a flight to Colorado.

Before boarding, I shoot a text to Aurora.

Me: Flying out. I can’t wait to talk to you tonight *kiss emoji*

My life: Great goal! Ice that hand *pink heart emoji*

She watched my game—a goofy smile spreads across my lips. I’m utterly infatuated with her.

No, I’m thoroughly obsessed. I can’t get her and the baby out of my head.

I enter the cabin of the plane and find an open seat next to Ethan. I wouldn’t usually choose to sit beside him, but curiosity has gotten the best of me.

He eyes me with suspicion and shields his phone. “What are you doing?”

“What are you doing?”

“Looking at houses for my future wife,” he says, echoing my previous taunts but ignoring my actual question.

“You can fuck all the way off. Tell me what you’re really doing.”

“She mentioned wanting a place in Santa Monica. I thought I’d beat her to it, you know?” He shrugs and feigns nonchalance, and it’s damn obvious.

But I’m prepared to play his game. I can trump whatever he comes up with, other than the baby, for now.

“I already have a penthouse on the beach. Don’t waste your money.”

“Yeah, she told me.” His smirk ignites my jealousy, and he knows it. “By the way, what’s the address? I want to send her a few things.”

I have a feeling he’s not only purposefully aggravating me but also vying for Aurora’s attention. Why wouldn’t he?

“Don’t bother. I already give her everything.”

“That’s fine. She’ll be in New York soon. I’ll send her gifts there.”

He dismisses me, returning to his house hunting, and a growl of frustration slips from deep in my chest.

“What’s the matter?” He chuckles. “Not up for some friendly competition?”

“No, it’s not about you.” Not a complete lie. “I’m pissed she’s leaving again.”

He lowers the phone and faces me. “Speaking of which, did you know she’ll be in New York City for a month?”

“What?” I choke.

A month? I just got her back. With time away, she may reconsider our friendship . She may consider this asshole a better choice.

“That’s what she told me, anyhow.”

The hint of uncertainty in his words bolsters my confidence and lessens my panic—some.

“She’s preparing for Winter Fashion Week.” I discovered this by stalking her IG, but he doesn’t need to know that. “I didn’t expect her to continue her grueling schedule, considering the baby.”

“What’s our plan then?”

“ Our plan?” I ask, brows raised. “I doubt either of us can change her mind. Believe me, I’ve been there. She insists on being independent.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Did you support her independence? Or did you ignore her needs and throw a tantrum?” His accusation hits home. “See, you think she works for money. She works for security .”

What’s the difference? I have no clue, and that irritates me. “Have I ever told you how much I hate you?”

He narrows his eyes. “I’m being serious.”

“So am I.” I shake off my discomfort and gesture with my hand. “But let’s move on. What are you talking about?”

“You have this huge platform. You’re practically a celebrity in LA. Did you use your status to create opportunities for her? Have you even posted a single picture of her on your social media? Or did you hide her and worsen her insecurities?”

“I don’t run my social media.” I have one private account, and that’s for stalking Aurora.

He gives me his “ Do you think I’m an idiot? ” expression.

“Fine. I didn’t want my father to know I was serious about her.”

Unimpressed, he proceeds to stare at me.

I clench my jaw and sigh. “I didn’t want to draw attention to her. I wanted to keep her to myself. Her career is my worst nightmare. Fuck, is that what you needed to hear?”

It’s as if he has the narrative to our relationship, and I’ve been the clueless character unable to see the product of my actions. I’m only scratching the surface of my mistakes, and here I thought I was doing well by working on my anger and addiction.

In reality, I’ve only reached the bare minimum of boyfriend material.

“Just making sure we’re on the same page. Aurora’s an overthinker. She worries, especially about caring for her grandmother and now a baby. She’s independent out of necessity. She doesn’t trust either of us and can’t take the risk of failure. Do you know what it’s like to be hungry or homeless? Or responsible for another human being?”

All I can do is sulk at how blind I’ve been and resent him for pointing out my shortcomings.

“That’s what I thought,” he continues. “Now, let’s brainstorm ways to support her. I want to see her and my kid, not have them travel the fucking country.”

I focus on his last sentence, unable to shake the suspicion he has an ulterior motive. “Why are you doing this?”

He lowers his voice. “Everyone assumes you’re the father. No one thinks it’s me. They associate Aurora with you. If people find out I’m the father, we all lose. I’ll lose the respect of my team, you’ll face constant harassment on the ice, and people will talk shit about her getting pregnant while escorting.”

My cheeks burn with anger. “I don’t give a fuck what people say.”

“You might not, but she will, especially if she’s worried about her career. I’m trying to help you here. Set your ego aside for a minute and think about it. If Aurora is dating you, it’s a win-win situation. She’s a supermodel with a pro-athlete boyfriend. No agency is letting her go, pregnant or otherwise. Everyone will want a piece of her.”

“How’s that a good thing?”

“Seriously? Are you that insecure? It’s basic supply and demand. She’ll get paid more and work less. Jesus, never fire your agent.” He shakes his head and sighs. “Ideally, she’ll stay in LA and spend time with us .”

I sit silently for what feels like an eternity, my mind swirling with everything he suggests. Being with Aurora has always been my endgame, but I approached it all wrong. While Ethan is manipulative, and the prospect of her gaining more popularity is a tough pill to swallow, I see the logic in his argument.

Yet, l haven’t put together one piece of the puzzle.

“What’s in this for you? You keep saying ‘us’ as if you’re not stepping aside.”

He scoffs. “Hate to break it to you, but I’m not. She loves you—sober you,” he adds. “I doubt she’ll let me near her anytime soon, but I still need her in LA to see my child. Plus, I get to annoy the fuck out of you.”

He grins, and I can tell by his smug expression he’s playing the long game. Little does he know, I’ve already taken up that position.

“I’ll send my bodyguard with her to New York and update my publicist.” I circle back to our prior conversation. “But we still have to convince her to go along with your plan.”

“I’m calling her tonight.” He relaxes in his seat with an air of superiority. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

My brows furrow. “You talked to her earlier?”

“We’ve been texting.” He half-ass shrugs, aware he’s getting under my skin and wearing away at my last fucking nerve.

Still, I need to know. “What did she say?”

“You’re ridiculously jealous. You make this too easy.”

He laughs, and I have the sudden urge to punch him in the throat.

“Calm down, killer. We’re on the same team here. She told me she’s going to New York, she’s not quitting her job, you don’t support her financially, and she’s searching for a place in Santa Monica. She says she feels fine and agreed to let me attend the next doctor’s appointment.”

My frown deepens, and my knee bounces. “Why’d she say I don’t support her?”

Gray eyes lock with mine, radiating defiance. “Because I told her if you wouldn’t, I would.”

I’d care for her without hesitation if she let me. He knows that. Why is he warning me? So I don’t fuck up? That’s a no-brainer.

Unless he offered to support her and she shot him down, which is why he’s scheming.

A self-satisfied smile graces my lips. “You won’t be able to buy her affection.”

“Oh, I know, and neither can you. That puts us on an even playing field. Aurora doesn’t want shit from me, which only makes me want to give it to her more.”

“Dude, hate to break it to you,” I mimic in his same annoying tone, “but it sounds like she’s not interested. I don’t fuck with puck bunnies but maybe shoot your shot there. I hear they come cheap and easy.”

The sharper my sarcastic jabs, the more amused he becomes. He’s impossible to fluster or intimidate.

“No thanks. Aurora is hotter than any puck bunny I’ve ever seen.” A cocky, shit-eating grin lights up his face. “Besides, I can’t imagine the sex is any better.”

That’s a punch to the gut, and I huff. “I fucking hate you. I really fucking hate you.”

That only makes him laugh harder.