Chapter 22 #2
When she’s out of earshot, Blakely whispers, “She was telling me the other day that she’s trying to get you back. I don’t know what your history is, but I would be careful because aren’t you dating someone?”
“I am. Sarah can try all she wants, but it’s not going to happen. I’m happy with Ollie.”
“Okay, good. Just checking. All right, I’ll let you boys get to the locker room.” She moves by us. “Good luck tonight, Halsey.”
“Thanks,” he says quietly as we move away.
When we’re out of earshot, I say, “That was fun.”
“Not a fucking word,” he grumbles.
And I leave it at that because why torture him anymore?
* * *
Silas: Where are you?
Ollie: Back of the bar.
I move through the crowd, trying not to draw attention, but that’s nearly impossible after another big win. Undefeated has never felt so good.
Posey follows me as well as Holmes and Rivers, and we head to the back of the bar where Ollie is waiting with a round of beers.
God, this girl. She’s perfect.
“Hey, baby,” I say as I plant a kiss on her lips.
“Hey, handsome,” she says, kissing me back. “Congrats on another win.”
“Thank you.” I give her another kiss and slip my arm around her waist, keeping her close as she hands out the beers.
Ross appears, and I give him a nod just before he walks up to Rivers and kisses him as well. Rivers then slides his hand into Ross’s and pulls him off to the side to a private booth.
“Guess we won’t be hanging out with them,” Posey says before taking a sip of his beer.
“I didn’t think we would,” Ollie says. “They really like their privacy.” She then looks up at me. “No goals tonight. What was that about?”
“Two assists, babe, that’s just as good.”
“Is that what you’re convincing her?” Posey asks with a laugh. “Dude, you’re pathetic.”
“I might not be well-versed in hockey,” Ollie says, “but I know that bullshit he just spewed is inaccurate.”
Posey lets out a boisterous laugh while I give my girl a look.
“What?” She shrugs. “It’s true.”
“You’re supposed to back me up.”
“Not when you’re making a fool of yourself.”
“Hell, I think Ollie is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Please tell me you’re bringing her to Banff when this season is over. We could use her to cut through your bullshit.”
“Yeah, she’s coming with me,” I say as I kiss her forehead, only to feel her go stiff in my arms. Confused, I glance down at her to see if everything is okay, and that’s when I hear a familiar voice.
“Great game, boys,” Sarah says, coming up to us.
Jesus, is she following us around today? Is there an air tag on me that I don’t know about?
“Uh, thanks,” Posey says.
Sarah grips my arm. “Amazing assists.”
“Hey,” Ollie says, swatting at Sarah’s arm. “Don’t touch him.”
The abrupt demand startles me, only to make me inwardly smile. Ollie is claiming me.
“Excuse me?” Sarah says.
“I said don’t fucking touch him, especially in front of me. That’s disrespectful as shit. I know you might be from a different generation, but I’d appreciate if you didn’t set back feminism and act like a man-stealing bitch. Accept the fact that you’re not together anymore and move on.”
Oh hell, I think I just got hard.
Sarah’s brows narrow as she says, “You might be his girlfriend at the moment, a flavor of the week, but Silas and I have over a decade of history. If I want to touch him, then I’ll fucking touch him.”
“Don’t,” I say to Sarah. When her eyes connect with mine, I repeat, “Don’t. I honestly don’t want you near me. I’m just tolerating it because it’s part of your job, but outside of the arena, don’t come near me.”
“Silas,” she says, looking insulted. “I know we’ve had our disagreements—”
“Disagreements?” I say, my voice a harsh whisper.
“I think you remember it incorrectly because what you did to me wasn’t a disagreement.
What you did went against everything we promised each other.
I’ll never forget it. I’ll never forgive it.
” Ollie’s arm tightens around me, offering me support.
“You have absolutely zero chance of ever winning me back, so for the love of God, leave me the fuck alone.”
“Zero chance? Really? I see the way you look at me, Silas.”
I grip Ollie even tighter.
“You’re mistaking distaste for lust. There isn’t anything in this world that would make me change my mind. We’re over. So save your dignity and move the fuck along.”
“Wow,” she says, shaking her head. “You’re really going to take this girl you barely know over me? We have history, Silas. I know you. She doesn’t. And when she breaks your heart because she’s too immature, too inexperienced to date someone of your caliber, I’ll be sitting back, waiting.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Ollie says. And fuck, I love her. I love her so goddamn much.
Without another word, Sarah walks away, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
“Oh shit,” Posey says before laughing. “You pissed her off.”
“Good, maybe she’ll stay away once and for all.”
I spin Ollie toward me and lift her chin so her lips are near. “I’m going to fuck you so hard when we get to my place.”
A smile stretches across her beautiful face.
“I’m counting on it.”
I lightly kiss her, only for Posey to clear his throat. “Can you two not? Some of us are struggling romantically and would prefer not to watch you two go at it.”
I lift my lips from Ollie’s and then turn toward Posey. “Some of us? Does that include you?”
“What? Me?” He points at his chest. “No, I’m not struggling. I’m fine.” He pats Holmes on the back. “Just looking out for our dear friend Halsey here.”
“Don’t,” Holmes says, peeling Posey’s hand off his shoulder. “I’m good.”
“Not from what I saw this morning,” I say.
“Ooo, what happened this morning?” Ollie asks.
Holmes gives me the death glare, and I say, “Sorry, dude, she’s a part of me now. What I know, she knows.”
He takes a long pull of his beer before saying, “Just ran into someone . . .”
“Blakely,” I say, filling in for him.
“And I don’t know, just told her how beautiful she looked. That’s it, we’re not talking about it anymore, or I’m going to fucking leave.”
“Dude.” Posey shakes Holmes. “You said that to her? That’s huge. What did she say? Did she blush?”
“I said we’re not getting into this,” Holmes says, always in a bad fucking mood.
“She blushed,” I answer for him. “And she said he looked really good in his suit.”
Posey’s mouth drops open. “Holmes, that’s your in.”
“It’s not,” he says, setting his beer down. “Have you forgotten she has a boyfriend?”
“No,” Posey answers. “But things change. Look at Taters. He was with Sarah for over a decade, and that changed.” He glances at me. “Sorry, had to use you as an example.”
“It’s fine,” I say as I kiss Ollie’s forehead.
“She’s happy, and I’m not going to fuck around with that.
Now, we can either change the subject, or I can leave.
” From the expression on his face and the dead-set tone in his voice, I know he’s serious.
And I have to respect the man. Blakely is not available, and she does appear happy, so I respect the fact he’s not going to chase after her. I shouldn’t tease him, really.
“Ollie turned in her final paper for her internship.”
“What was it about?” Posey asks.
“You guys,” she says, sounding so sincere and full of love. “Talked about your day-to-day journey and what you do to prepare for a season. Talked about the Agitators and how welcoming they are as a team to newcomers.”
“When does it come out?” Posey asks.
“Not sure. I still haven’t heard from my boss about it.”
“He hasn’t said anything to you?” I ask.
Ollie shakes her head. “No, but I guess no news is better than bad news.” She turns to the boys. “He wanted me to do some sort of exposé about the team and the owner, really dig for some dirt. But I wouldn’t.”
“What a dick,” Posey says. “That’s a total conflict of interest.”
“That’s what I said, but he apparently didn’t care.” Ollie sighs. “Oh well, hopefully, he enjoys what I put together.”
“He will.” I kiss the top of her head.
* * *
“I can’t believe you leave again tomorrow,” Ollie says as she comes up behind me in the kitchen, where I’m grabbing a glass of water. Her hands go around my waist, and she hugs me from behind.
“I know. This is how it’ll be for the next few months.” I turn around to face her. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes, I’m just going to miss you.”
“Well, if you want, you can stay here when I’m gone.”
She glances around my apartment and then back up at me. “It’s way too big.”
I chuckle. “Then take some of my clothes home with you, so you can wear them while I’m gone.”
“That I can do.” She stands up on her toes and presses a kiss to my chin. “Do you ever think how crazy it is that we got here? Ross was talking about it the other day, how happy we are. We’re kind of waiting for something bad to happen.”
“Why would you wait for that?” I ask. “Live in the moment, babe. This is real.”
“That’s what I keep telling myself, but then, it’s nights like tonight when it feels too good to be true.”
I move her back to the counter and lift her up and sit her on it. “What do you mean?”
Her fingers move over my dress shirt, and she plays with the buttons, slowly undoing them one at a time. “Despite Sarah’s interruption, it was nice. Yonny never let me hang out with him and his guys like that. I was never welcome, and tonight, I felt like I belonged.”
“You did belong. That’s how it is, Ollie. It’s you and me. I don’t care who I’m with. I want you there with me.”
She parts my shirt open and tugs on the belt loops of my pants. “When you say things like that . . . that’s what makes me believe this is all too good to be true.” Her fingers toy with my zipper.
“It’s not. This is how you’re treated with me, Ollie.”
She slips her hand into my pants and cups me.
I place my hands on her shoulders and take a deep breath.
Fuck. “You realize this is how you’re treated with me, right?
” she asks as she slowly massages my balls.
“You’re desired. You’re wanted. You’re needed.
You’re cherished.” Her hand slides up my shaft and pulls me out of my briefs. “I’m yours, no one else’s.”
Sliding off the counter, she kneels in front of me and pulls me into her mouth. My hands fall to the countertop in front of me, and as she sucks me into her warm mouth, I have the same thought as Ollie.
This feels too good to be true.
It feels like everything is going my way.
And as my girl kneels before me, I can acknowledge I have the same fears.
Sarah believes I’ll get tired of Ollie and go back to her.
She is so fucking deluded. But I fear that Ollie will get sick of this lifestyle, see that the grass is really greener elsewhere, and I’ll be left with another broken heart. I just hope to God I’m wrong.
I hope this isn’t too good to be true.