29
Nash
The Men’s Advantage issue was coming out in the morning.
I’d already seen the proofs, and damn, it looked good, much better than I’d expected.
I just hoped that when Kennedy saw it, she’d be proud, and maybe it’d help repair the mess of my current reputation.
God knew I needed a win right now, something to remind people I wasn’t the guy the tabloids made me out to be.
It had been a long day, and I was too tired to still be hanging around the club room.
Practice had been brutal, and I’d pushed myself hard, trying to prove I deserved my spot on the team.
Afterward, Coach had asked me to stick around.
My stomach dropped, and I braced for the worst, but it was good.
We cleared the air about some of the rumors floating around.
He reminded me what he needed from me, and I swore I’d do my best to deliver.
Most of the guys had already cleared out by the time I got out of there, but Mitch and Bryce had waited for me.
We had some new gear to try on before we could go home.
I stifled a yawn and followed them into the conference room, which was currently overflowing with equipment and stacks of merch.
Amy looked up and smiled as we walked in.
“Hey, guys,” she said, pointing to three separate piles. “Here’s what I need you to try on for size.”
“Okay.”
I moved over to the pile with my name on it, tugging off my hoodie and shoving down my joggers. The last thing I felt like doing was trying on gear, but I went through the motions anyway.
Mitchell was in one of his storytelling moods, full of exaggerations and animated faces, and it helped.
It felt really fucking good to laugh for a change, but at some point, I stopped listening.
My body kept reminding me how wrecked I was, and I just kept yawning. All I wanted was to go home and crash.
Home. To what I hoped would soon be my and Kennedy’s place. A couple more weeks and she’d be back in New York. It was just for a long weekend, but I’d take whatever time I could get. For now.
“I’m gonna head out,” I said, tugging at the new shoulder pads.
“Yeah, me too.” Mitchell checked his watch and groaned. “Shit, it’s already after ten.”
“You wimps,” Bryce called out from the other end of the room, grinning. “The evening is but a fetus.”
Mitchell chuckled, shaking his head, but I just yawned again and started peeling off the pants I’d been given to try on. I glanced around for my joggers, but they weren’t where I thought I’d left them.
“Amy,” I called out, “where are my pants?”
“Man.” Mitch snickered and pointed at the chair next to him. “They’re right there.”
“Oh.” I frowned. That wasn’t where I thought I’d left them. I could’ve sworn I’d put them on the table with all the new equipment.
I pulled them on and reached for my phone only to find it wasn’t in my pocket.
“Damn, now where’s my phone?” I muttered, patting myself down like an idiot.
Mitchell was laughing behind me, and Bryce just shook his head. “Get it together, man,” he said with a chuckle.
“Amy!” I yelled again. “You seen my phone?”
“Yes, Nash, it’s right here.” She rolled her eyes and held it up for me like I was a child who’d lost his toy.
“Huh. Thanks.”
I took it from her and headed for the door.
“I can’t believe how late it is.” Mitchell groaned, thumbs flying over his phone. “We didn’t even eat dinner. I’m starving.”
“I know. Practice ran forever.” I let out a breath. “But honestly? I’m glad. It was the best skate I’ve had in weeks.”
Mitch chuckled and clapped me on the back. “Clearing the air with Kennedy probably had a lot to do with that.”
“Yeah.” A smile tugged at my mouth before I could stop it. “I think you’re right.”
“Good. I’m glad you two are working it out.”
I was too.
“Oh, Nashy-boy!” Bryce’s voice boomed behind us. He came jogging down the hallway, grinning like he’d just scored the game-winner. “She’s got it bad for you, man.”
I blinked at him. “Who?”
“Amy.” His grin widened. “Major crush. Major.”
“Shit.” I groaned, dragging a hand down my face.
I thought I’d made it clear we were done, that whatever Amy and I had had was nothing more than a hookup.
But my late night at the bar sure as hell hadn’t helped.
My shoulders slumped as I let out a long breath.
I needed to set the record straight once and for all.
I had Kennedy now, and I wasn’t about to screw that up.