Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
LYDIA
To say practice was a shit show is an understatement.
When Bailey said she was taking over for Delaney, my mind went to worst-case scenarios. Everything was fine when the two of us left my place.
I have no idea what happened between then and now.
And it showed.
Missed passes. Shots going wide. Sluggish.
I was not my usual self. Thankfully, Bailey chalked it up to me recovering from illness.
“You okay?” Parker asks as I finish towel drying my hair. “You seemed off today.”
“Just tired. I think I might have pushed myself too hard coming back.”
“Too tired to grab dinner tonight?”
“I’m going to have to take a raincheck.” I grab my coat and bag. “But thanks.”
“You sure you’re okay?” Parker asks again.
“Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t cure.” I smile at her.
“And some Biscuit snuggles.”
“That too.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I wave goodbye and head out of the arena. I wait until I’m clear to pull my phone out. A text from Delaney is waiting.
Delaney
Come to my place
That doesn’t sound good. Fuck. It doesn’t do anything to calm my jangled nerves.
Lydia
Heading to you now
Each moment to her place seems endless. Traffic is terrible as usual. I wish I could beam myself there, but I can’t.
By the time her house comes into view, I’m throwing my car in park and dashing up to the front door. Testing the lock, it’s open and I push in.
“Delaney?” I don’t have to look far for her. She’s pacing in the kitchen when I get inside. “What’s wrong?”
“They know about us.” I notice the cocktail in her hand.
“What? How?”
She sips the drink. “I got called to the GM’s office today. He said there were allegations of me having inappropriate relations with one of my players.”
“Oh God. What did they say?”
“They said there are photos.”
“Did you see them?” I ask.
“No. They were asked for a comment and then told the pictures were forthcoming. I have another meeting with the team on Friday morning. This is bad, Lydia. Really bad.”
What she’s saying does nothing to calm my nerves. It only makes the nauseous feeling swell…because what if I lose this job?
“Okay. We don’t know what it is yet. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“What else could it be?” she asks.
“Let’s say they have photos of us, which I’m not saying they do. Do you think we could say they were old photos?”
Delaney scoffs. “I don’t know if it would look any better if I hid a past relationship with one of my players.”
“It’s not like you were my coach then.”
“They could fire me. They will fire me. And what would I tell my mother if I lose my job?”
“Breathe, Delaney.” I rush over to her, stopping her pacing. “Let’s look at this rationally.”
She drops her forehead to mine. “How?”
“We don’t know what they have. Should they have called you into the office without the evidence and let you stew over this for the next two days? No. But it could all be nothing.”
“And if it’s not?”
“Look, Delaney, if you have the chance to save your job, I want you to take it.”
“I don’t want to hide you.”
I shake my head. “No. I don’t want to hide our relationship either. But if you get fired, you won’t be able to stay in Toronto. And with our schedules, it’d be nearly impossible to see each other.”
“God.” Delaney pulls out of my arms and starts pacing again. “And what will the team say if they find out we’re together?”
“It’ll be okay.”
“Will it?” She shoves a hand through her hair. “This is all a mess.”
“What are you saying?” I ask, dread now swimming in my stomach.
“I don’t know, Lyd. I really don’t.”
I stop her with a hand on her stomach. “I’ll clear things up then. I want you. Only you.”
That earns me a soft smile. “I want you too.”
“So then we’re going to have to figure out a way to deal with this.”
“When I’m shipped off to a small division three school in New Mexico and you’re here in Toronto living out your dream.”
I sigh, wishing I could stop Delaney from spiraling, but I don’t think I can. With the threat of losing her job hanging over her, there’s not much I can say.
Because it feels like an impossible situation.
It’s either Delaney’s job or us. Either way, we’re going to lose.
“Are we going to solve this problem right now?” I ask.
Delaney stops and stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “No. But I don’t think we’ll solve it by Friday either.”
“Then why don’t we get lost in each other? Remember why we started this thing? We’re two people who love each other, and that’s the most important thing.”
Taking my hand, Delaney leads me upstairs. The two of us shed our clothes before falling into bed, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Our kisses are fraught and hurried. Hands are searching as I slide two fingers inside of her. Delaney’s thumb strums my clit. We know exactly how to get each other off.
This entire day has gone to shit, but at least we can get out of our heads for a little while as we work each other over until we spill over the edge.
We’re naked and breathing hard as we’re wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Whatever happens, will happen,” I say, pressing a kiss to Delaney’s bare shoulder. “But we’ll face it together.”
“Promise?”
“Always. You’re not alone in this, Delaney. I’m here for you.”
“Good. Because I love you.”
“I love you too.”