Chapter 35 Derek
We had won the game. It cost me a tooth and a half but it wasn’t the first one I had lost and probably wouldn’t be the last.
The adrenaline carried me through the rest of the third period but by the time we were celebrating in the locker room, the pain was starting to creep in. A dull throb that pulsed in time with my heartbeat, radiating through my jaw and up into my skull.
At least I’d gotten my money’s worth from Kowalczyk.
I’d managed to knock his helmet clean off and given him a black eye that was already swelling shut by the time the refs pulled me off him.
Match penalty. Automatic ejection. He’d be facing a suspension review and I hoped the league threw the book at him.
I think some players thought because I was generally a nice guy—because I didn’t go looking for fights, because I’d rather set up a play than throw a punch—that they could fuck with me. Take liberties. Push me around and expect me to turn the other cheek.
They learned pretty quickly that wasn’t the case.
I was no pushover. Never had been. I just didn’t waste energy on bullshit unless someone forced my hand. Kowalczyk had forced my hand. He was lucky I’d only given him a black eye.
“Hey, Sully.” Volsky appeared beside me, freshly showered, and in his post-game suit. “I’ve got a great oral surgeon if you need a referral. Bradley made me go to him after I took that puck to the face last season.”
“Thanks, man. Send me his info.”
“I’ll text it to you.” He clapped me on the shoulder, careful to avoid my jaw. “Hell of a goal. Hell of a right hook, too.”
“Felt good.”
“Looked good.” He grinned. “Get some rest. And ice that face.”
After I showered—carefully, keeping my mouth away from the spray—I finally pulled out my phone. The screen was cluttered with notifications.
A few concerned texts from my mom, which I replied to right away: Not as bad as when I lost my molar in my rookie season. Promise I’m fine. Love you.
She responded immediately with a string of worried emojis and a demand that I call her tomorrow. Classic Mom.
I was scrolling through the rest when I saw Théo’s name. Multiple messages. I blinked, surprised. As far as I knew, he didn’t watch our games.
Théo: I want to knock out #47’s tooth. A tooth for a tooth.
Théo: Are you ok?
Théo: Can you call me later?
Théo: I mean it. Call me. I don’t care how late.
I smiled.
Fuck. It hurt like hell.
But I smiled anyway, staring at those messages, at the worry threaded through his usual sharp edges. He’d watched the game. He’d seen me get hit, seen me bleed, and his first instinct had been violence on my behalf.
Something warm spread through my chest that had nothing to do with the post-game high.
I typed back: I’m ok. Missing a tooth but I’ve looked worse. Heading to the hotel now. Can I call you in 20?
His response came immediately: You better.
I was wiped when I got back to the hotel. I had taken a painkiller and now I was drowsy, my limbs heavy, my thoughts swimming through molasses. Still, I tossed my gym bag by the foot of the bed and crawled under the covers before calling Théo.
He answered on the first ring.
He was in my bed, wearing one of my Frost hoodies, his hair sticking up in different directions like he had been tugging on it. He was worrying his bottom lip between his teeth when the video connected.
His mouth fell open. “Jesus, your face.”
There was swelling and bruising where I had taken contact—my lip was split, my jaw was mottled purple, and the left side of my face looked like I’d lost a fight with a brick wall. I had gotten most of the dried blood off in the shower, but I still looked rough.
“I knew you only liked me for my pretty face.”
He frowned. “I seriously want to take a hockey stick to that guy’s face.”
“Hmm. I like when you’re a little spitfire.”
“I’m always a little spitfire.”
“Not with me, snowdrop.” I shifted against the pillows, trying to find an angle that didn’t make my jaw throb. “Were you watching the game?”
“Yeah, Hana invited me to watch it at Bradley and Kenzo’s place. They live in a mansion in the sky.”
“Yeah, it’s nice. I could never live that high up with Aspen though. I miss having a yard.”
“Oh, you didn’t always live here?”
“Uhm, no.” I hadn’t meant to go there but the painkiller was making my mind wander.
“I had a house in Pilsen where I lived with Mackenzie. That’s where I caught her with Cooper.
She moved out while I was in the hospital recovering from my concussion and ACL surgery.
My mom stayed with me during part of my rehab and then I sold the house as soon as I felt stable enough.
Maybe it was a rash decision but it was hard not to look around every corner and wonder if they had. .. you know.”
Théo’s expression darkened. “Aspen doesn’t mind not having a yard,” he said after a moment, his voice carefully neutral. “He likes walking and exploring more than sniffing the same bushes every day.”
“You speak dog?”
“I’m a man of many talents.”
“Can’t argue with that.” I yawned and the motion pulled at my split lip and bruised jaw. I winced.
“Shit, are you okay?” Théo fluttered helplessly from hundreds of miles away, his hands moving like he wanted to reach through the screen. “Did they give you something for the pain?”
“Yeah but it still hurts. I texted Kenzo’s oral surgeon and I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon when we get back.”
“I can stay with Aspen a little longer.” He paused, something vulnerable flickering across his face. “I want to see you. Make sure you’re okay.”
“Aww, you worried about me, baby?” I was trying to lighten the tense expression from his face but he just blinked rapidly like he was holding back tears.
“You scared the shit out of me.” His voice cracked slightly. “The way your head snapped back and then all the blood on the ice. I thought—” He stopped, swallowed hard. “I don’t know what I thought. It was scary.”
The rawness in his voice made my chest ache in a way that had nothing to do with my injuries.
“Hey,” I said softly. “I’m okay. I promise. It looks worse than it is.”
“You’re missing a tooth, Derek.”
“I’ve been missing teeth before. They grow back.”
“That’s not how teeth work.”
“Are you sure? I feel like I read that somewhere.”
He laughed despite himself, a wet, shaky sound. “You’re an idiot.”
“But I’m your idiot.”
The words hung in the air between us. I hadn’t meant to say them—or maybe I had. The painkiller was making me brave. Or stupid. Probably both.
Théo was quiet for a moment. Then, softly, “Yeah. I guess you are.”
Something warm unfurled in my chest. I wished I was there with him, wished I could pull him close and feel his heartbeat against mine.
Instead, I settled for watching him through the screen, memorizing the way the low light caught in his dark hair, the way he was clutching the sleeve of my hoodie like a lifeline.
Then his expression shifted. The vulnerability retreated behind something sharper. More familiar.
“I have to say though,” he said, his voice dropping lower, “watching you fight was... unexpected.”
“Unexpected how?”
“Unexpected in a ‘I didn’t realize Saint Sully throwing punches would be so hot’ kind of way.” He bit his lip and there was nothing innocent about it. “The way you went after him. Cold. Deliberate. Like you were making a point with your fists.”
My mouth went dry at the way he was looking at me. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” His eyes were dark, intent. “I kept replaying it on the train home. All that patience you have, all that control—and then you just decided he was going to pay for what he did. No hesitation.” He shrugged, unapologetic. “It was really fucking hot.”
“You’re turned on by violence now?”
“I’m turned on by you.” He met my eyes. “The controlled violence was a bonus. Very primal. I wouldn’t mind caveman Derek throwing me over his shoulder.”
I laughed, and it hurt, but I didn’t care. “Noted.”
“You should get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The promise made something warm bloom inside my chest. “Ok. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, snowdrop.”
“Goodnight, Derek.” He hesitated, then added, quieter: “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Me too.”
He ended the call, and I lay there in the dark hotel room, my face throbbing, my body exhausted, smiling like an idiot at the ceiling.
I was falling for him.
Hard and fast and completely.