37. Sloane
Sloane
“ Y ou don’t have to come if you don’t want to. It’s an away game so they’ll post live score updates on the team socials,” I tell Viv, who has her arms crossed.
We’re in her apartment and she’s being stubborn. It’s not that I don’t want them there, I’m just worried they’ll travel all that way and I’ll disappoint them.
“It’s an important game. If you guys win this one you go to Regionals. I’m not missing it. Nox is coming too. So is Cain, but he’s driving separately and not sitting with us obviously. We all want to be there,” she tells me, without any room for uncertainty.
“Okay. If that’s what you want to do.” I look away and pluck at one of my belt loops.
Her head tilts to the side. “Are you nervous?”
I frown and shake my hand out as punishment for giving away how I’m feeling. I hate being weak. Vulnerability just leaves you open for others to take advantage of. But I know Viv and the guys aren’t like that so I allow myself to be honest. “A little, I guess.”
I’m startled when she reaches out and holds my hand in both of hers. “What are you nervous about? You guys have done great so far this season.”
I look down at my shoes. “I know. Everyone is doing really well this year. We’ve never made it this far into the season before and I guess I just don’t know what to expect.”
Her hands tighten on mine. “No matter if you win or lose, I’ll be there to give you a big hug after the game. I’ll love you no matter the outcome.”
A soft breath leaves me and I lean down to press a kiss to her lips. It takes my breath away every time she tells me she loves me. Someone somewhere fucked up, because there’s no way I’ve ever done enough good to deserve a woman like Viv.
With my fucked up past I’d never considered there would ever be someone I could see spending an entire night with, let alone the rest of my life.
Then she came out of nowhere like a beautiful goddess.
The image of her with her hair still damp from the pool the first time I ever saw her is still burned into my mind.
Love at first sight had never seemed like a true thing before that.
But the moment I saw her I just knew I needed to know more about her.
“How did you turn out so perfect when your family is full of psychopaths?” I ask, pulling her into a hug.
I feel the movement of her shrugging. “I ask myself that question all the time. I must just be lucky that way.” She smiles up at me.
I can’t help but laugh before I lean down to press a kiss to her lips. I pull away, just to lean back in and press another kiss to her lips. This time I linger, holding her close before I pull away. “I’ve got to get to the rink. We’re having one more practice session before the game on Saturday.”
She gives me a nod, standing on her tiptoes to steal another kiss from me. It only works because I’m still stooped down. If I had been standing at my full height she still wouldn’t have been able to reach my lips. I grin against the pressure and stand up fully, parting our mouths.
She pouts, but doesn’t object when I grab my hockey bag and throw it over my shoulder. “Be careful,” she calls out as I walk out of the front door.
It’s the middle of practice and I’ve got the puck.
Scrimmages with the team are mostly fun, but there are a few guys I don’t get along with and today they all happen to be on the opposing side.
I’m gliding the puck along the ice and the wingers are doing their job defending me, but that doesn’t do much when there are two guys on the opposite team who go out of their way to go after me, along with their side defense team.
I suddenly get hit from the side and go down hard on the ice.
Jerico’s lips tilt up as far as they can with his mouth guard in while he looks down at me, and coach blows his whistle, making his way over.
Jerico pulls his mouth guard out. “You’d probably play better if you took your balls out of your girl’s purse. ”
My teeth clench over my guard and I’m surprised it doesn’t split with the pressure. Spitting the damn thing out, I glare at him as Freddie helps me back up onto my skates. “Go fuck yourself.”
He scoffs. “Why should I when I could just fuck your girl? Apparently everyone else is.”
Instant rage takes over. My fist flies out and connects with his jaw. It was the only place not protected by his helmet because the dumbass went for a visor instead of a shield. I only get to bask in my revenge for a moment before coach starts yelling. “What the hell was that McKenna?!”
I huff and look down at the ice under my skates. “Sorry coach.”
“Sorry? You just punched a teammate. I could have you suspended for that!” he shouts.
Jerico is helped up by a few of his buddies, and before I even have a chance to say anything, Freddie speaks up for me. “Jer started it coach. He was talking about McKenna’s girl. A punch was the least he deserved.”
I’m surprised by his support. Freddie and I have always gotten along well enough, but I never realized he liked me enough to stick his neck out for me.
Coach’s eyes soften as he looks at me, taking a moment before he sighs.
“You can’t let others get to you like that.
I’m not deaf and blind son. If you’re going to have an unorthodox relationship, you’re going to have to learn to deal with adversity without violence. ”
If only coach knew how little I cared about a little violence. He’s not wrong though, I’ve got to keep my nose clean. All I need is to draw the wrong kind of attention and bring the police sniffing around our business. “You’re right. I’m sorry, coach.”
He pats me on the shoulder before blowing his whistle. “Pack it in boys! Rest up before the game! We’ve got a good shot at nationals this year! Keep the good work up!” he shouts at all of us.
We all rush to clean up and get off the ice like we’re afraid he might change his mind and make us stay longer. When we’re in the locker room and I’ve got my sweats pulled on, I turn to Freddie. “Thanks for having my back, man. Really appreciate it.”
He shrugs. “No problem. Jer’s had an axe to grind with you since freshman year when you were a starter and he was on the bench. Besides, it’s none of his damn business what you do in your relationship.” He holds his hands up. “Not for me bro, but who the fuck am I to judge?”
I chuckle. “Haven’t you and Matilda been together since like second grade?”
His cheeks redden. “I still can’t believe I got drunk enough to tell you all that.”
“Dude, you sang a fuckin’ sonnet about it!” I laugh at the memory.
He grabs his bag and throws it over one shoulder. “I’ve gotta go. My muse is waiting.”
I grin at him as he walks out of the locker room. He’s so sappy when it comes to his girl and I can’t say I blame him. I go non-verbal sometimes just because Viv walks into a room. It’s not my fault she’s breathtaking.
I gather my stuff and head home, expecting everyone to be relaxing since its after nine. What I’m not expecting is to hear Cain and Z arguing before I even walk through the door. “…a comfortable chair,” Z tells him.
“I’m not sitting in the damn chair!” Cain yells.
I walk into the living room to see Cain and Z standing off against each other in the center of the room while Nox and Viv are cuddling on the couch, completely ignoring the arguing.
Viv’s got a book while Nox has her pulled into his side with his head leaning on her shoulder, and…
is he sleeping? I have no idea how anyone could sleep with all this noise, let alone a diagnosed insomniac like Nox.
“It’s not like you have to do anything but watch! Stop being such a prude.” Z puts his hands on his hips.
I close my eyes and shake my head, suddenly realizing why they’re arguing about furniture.
Cain’s eye starts twitching dangerously, but I set my bag down and ignore the bickering as I make my way to the couch to take a seat on the other side of Viv.
She just smiles at me before turning back to her book.
“I don’t sit and watch. If anything, you’ll be the one sitting in the chair while I…” His words cut off.
Viv slowly turns the page in her book. “While you what?”
His eyes slide over to her and narrow. “While I make coffee. I have papers to grade.” He turns on his heel and heads into the kitchen. Z shouts at him, “I’m ordering the chair!”
Cain doesn’t turn back as he walks through the doorway. “Not sitting in it.”
“It’s okay. He just prefers to watch through cracked doors,” Viv tells him, still looking at her book.
I’m starting to wonder if she’s even reading right now or if she just didn’t want to seem too interested in their conversation.
Z turns to us and pouts when he sees me sitting next to Viv, instead taking a seat on the floor in front of her.
Her hand automatically starts to run through his hair and I kind of want to stab him and take his place.
But I just lean in closer to her and close my eyes.
It feels nice to come home to the woman I love every night. It’s relaxing in a way I’ve never experienced before. My whole body goes limp and I realize that I’m exhausted. So I don’t fight it as sleep takes over.