52. Shayla
52
SHAYLA
M y chest constricted as I watched Easton glide onto the ice during warmups and search the crowd. He was looking for me, hopeful I’d still be there to support him despite our crumbling relationship. I still wanted to cheer on my team, but he couldn’t know I was there, so I sat up high in the stands, far from the ice. I didn’t want to risk anyone seeing me, especially Claire.
She’d tried to call me a few times, but I never answered. I couldn’t listen to one more person defend Easton and claim it was a big misunderstanding. Her texts had said as much, and that was reason enough to avoid her.
The game began, and the Wraiths immediately took possession of the puck. They dominated, outmaneuvering the opposing team again and again. Easton was still formidable on the ice, but he lacked the enthusiasm he had before everything went to shit. Guilt speared through me. Even though he was the one who'd messed up, I was the reason he looked like a robot just going through the motions out there. But I refused to fall for his excuses. I felt betrayed in the worst possible way, and I didn’t think I could ever get past that. I thought we were building something special, and he shattered it into a million pieces, along with my heart.
When the game was over, I let the crowd around me disperse before getting to my feet and moving toward the exit. It always took forever to get out of the arena and then the parking lot after a game, so I didn’t see any need to be in a hurry. I had opted not to use the employee lot or entrance so I wouldn’t risk running into anyone from the team. I needed this weekend to gather my wits before I faced everyone on Monday.
I let my car warm up while I tapped out a quick message to Makenna, asking for an update on Mom. My sister was home with her this evening. That was the only reason I felt comfortable leaving her long enough to come to the game. Since our mom was discharged from the hospital yesterday, Makenna had proven to be an excellent caregiver. She sat with her while I tidied up the house and prepared for her arrival. She needed special equipment to continue convalescing at home, so I had to ensure that everything was set up before she got there. That was when Easton showed up. I’d barely had time to dry my eyes and gather my composure after he left when I got the call it was time to bring Mom home.
Mak: All good on the home front.
Makenna’s text was punctuated by a thumbs-up emoji, and I relaxed against my seat. Now that Mom was on the mend, I felt like I could breathe again.
I jolted when my phone rang, the sound jarring in my otherwise quiet car. I looked down and saw Roni’s name flash across my screen. It wasn’t the first time she’d called me since those photos came out, but after she tried to convince me Easton was innocent, going on and on about how he was crazy about me and would never betray me, I’d refused to pick up again. I couldn’t ignore her forever, though. Easton and I would probably have to craft a statement regarding our split. That was probably why she was calling. Against my better judgment, I answered.
“Hello?”
“Shayla?” Roni sounded surprised I answered. I didn’t blame her.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“I’m so glad you answered,” she breathed, her relief palpable through the phone. “I need to send you something.”
“Okay,” I replied, wondering what it could be.
“I’m about to email this clip to every media outlet that reported on Easton’s supposed infidelity, but I thought you had a right to see it first.” What the hell? What could she possibly have that I would want to see? More fake confessions of his undying love for me?
“Roni, I?—”
“You’ll want to see this,” she proclaimed, cutting me off. “I was able to get a hold of security footage from the hotel. Don’t ask me how. My sources are confidential.” My head spun as shock washed over me.
“Wh-why would I want to see that?” I asked, dumbfounded. Still images were bad enough. I didn’t need to see it in motion.
“Just watch the clip.” My phone dinged with an incoming text, and I opened it. I swallowed hard as the thumbnail view of the video loaded, and I was faced with the image of Easton and Jessica walking out of the bar. With my heart in my throat, I hit play.
And my stomach bottomed out.
I pressed my hand to my mouth as I watched the interaction unfold. Easton pushed her away several times, but she kept trying. The audio wasn’t great. They were too far from the camera to clearly make out what they were saying.
Then Easton turned away from her and headed toward the elevators, bringing him closer to the camera. I had never seen his expression so full of fury before. Jessica chased after him, whining his name. They were close enough now, I could make out what they had said. When Easton spoke, his voice was rigid and commanding. It was a tone I’d never heard him use before.
“Stay the hell away from me.” Blood pounded in my ears, and I heard nothing else. A few seconds later, the video stopped, and I stared at the screen, blinking away my shock. Easton had been telling the truth. He’d rejected her. He hadn’t cheated on me. I didn’t believe him when he tried to tell me what had happened.
“Oh, God,” I cried. I’d made a terrible mistake.
“Shayla.” Roni’s voice came through the speaker on my phone, and I remembered I was still on a call with her. With a trembling hand, I brought my phone to my ear.
“I’m here.” My voice shook, and tears spilled over my lashes. What had I done?
“Do you believe him now?” There was no malice behind her question, but it still felt like my chest had been flayed open, and I was the one holding the knife. My breath stuttered as I tried to regain my composure enough to speak.
“I have to go to him,” I said, putting my car in drive, and headed toward the employee lot. Maybe I could catch him before he left.
“He had a game tonight. He might?—”
“I know,” I admitted, interrupting her. “I was there.”
“You went to his game?” she asked, a note of surprise in her voice.
“Yes, but—shit!” I screeched to a halt when I noticed all the cars were gone. “He’s already left.”
“Don’t worry. I can find him. Just give me a second.” A moment later, she came back on, rattling off the name of a popular sports bar only minutes from the arena.
“I know where that is.”
“Go to him,” she pleaded. “He’s miserable without you. I’ve never seen him like this before.” Guilt twisted in my gut, and my heart raced as I tore out of the lot.
“I’m sorry,” I said on a sob.
“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”
“You’re right. I gotta go.” I didn’t wait for her reply. I hung up and pulled onto the busy city street. Five minutes later, I was parked down the street from Goalkeepers Bar & Grille.
Grabbing my phone and keys, I hustled down the sidewalk until I reached the bar. I rushed inside and searched the space for Easton. Within seconds, I spotted his tall, broad frame. He sat at a table with Weiss, Tillman, and Kent, a bottle of beer clutched in his hands. He slouched in his chair, studying the label as he slowly peeled it off. He looked so morose, a pang of guilt hit me square in the chest. I’d caused this, but I was about to fix it.
I started toward him, then drew up short when a stunning brunette approached him. My hackles rose, and the possessive urge to walk over there, shove her out of my way, and claim my spot on his lap nearly took over. Instead, I drew a deep breath in through my nose and released it slowly. I needed to keep my composure if I was going to handle this like a reasonable adult.
Easton turned to her and listened as she spoke and flirtatiously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He responded to whatever she said, but I was too far away to hear anything. They went back and forth a couple times, then to my surprise, he shook his head and lifted his left hand, pointing to his ring finger. She pouted and walked away dejected.
Hope swelled inside my chest, and my knees nearly buckled. There was still a chance to make this right. Nervously, I walked toward his table. Easton was partially turned away from me, watching a football game on one of the TVs above the bar, so he didn’t see me approach. None of the guys noticed me when I stepped up to the table.
“Easton,” I said, and four heads whipped around at the sound of my voice. Easton sat on the other side of Kent, who drew out a long, slow curse.
“Shit.”
“Shayla.” Easton stood from his chair so fast, the legs scraped against the floor.
“Can we talk?” I asked, hesitantly. I could feel the other’s eyes on me, but I kept my gaze locked on my husband.
“Of course.” Easton pulled out his wallet and hastily threw a couple bills on the table. Grabbing his jacket off the back of his chair, he rounded the table and reached for my hand, entwining his fingers with mine. That familiar zing raced up my arm, and my pulse thundered in response. He led me toward the back of the building and pushed through the exit. We spilled out onto the small private patio that appeared to only be used during the warmer months. It was private and secluded. We probably weren’t supposed to be out here, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t wait any longer to say what I needed to say.
Easton released my hand and walked a few feet away before turning to face me. He ran a hand through his hair nervously and gripped the back of his neck as though trying to hold himself back from me. The short distance felt like miles between us. I missed his touch. I missed the warmth of his skin, the hard planes of his torso, and the feel of his soft lips on mine. My chest ached with longing, and I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“I want to come home,” I announced shakily, and his eyes flared. He took a tentative step toward me.
“You do?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion. I nodded, tears welling in my eyes.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you.” Guilt clawed at my insides, and I drew my arms around my middle to ease the pain. “I never should’ve doubted you.” He drew closer, eating up the space between us.
“Wh-what changed your mind?”
“Roni,” I admitted with a wince, and his brow knitted with confusion. “She showed me the security footage from the hotel.” His eyes lit with recognition, and surprise washed over his features.
“I didn’t realize she had it. She’s been working on that for days.” She told me before she told him? She must’ve really wanted me to fix this.
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I should’ve listened to your side of the story instead of assuming the worst.” Sobs wracked my body, and Easton pulled me into his arms. I cried into his chest, soaking his shirt. He held me close, one arm wrapped tightly around my waist while his other hand cradled the back of my head. I clung to him desperately, hoping he could forgive me for the hell I’d put him through this past week.
“Shh,” he whispered into my hair, then pressed a kiss to my temple. “It’s okay. That’s all over now.”
“I don’t want to live apart anymore.”
“I don’t want to either,” he replied.
I tilted my head back slightly and peered up at him. He was so beautiful beneath the soft glow of the lights overhead. He watched me like I was his entire world. I hadn’t been able to see it before, blinded as I was by fear and insecurity, but now I could see how deep his feelings went. I just needed to confirm he still felt the same after everything we’d been through the past several days.
“Did you mean what you said during that press conference?” I asked, hoping he’d been telling the truth and not merely putting on a show for the press.
He studied me a moment before his eyes lit with recognition.
“I meant everything I said during that press conference,” he declared in that husky voice that made me shiver.
“Even the part when you said you love me?”
He cupped my face in both hands and held my gaze. His eyes glowed with unbridled affection.
“Especially that part,” he replied, and my heart soared. “I love you so much I can’t breathe sometimes because you’ve taken up all the space inside my chest.”
A happy cry fell from my lips, and he smiled down at me.
“I love you too.” His eyes fell closed, and he soaked in my words.
“You don’t know how good it feels to finally hear you say that.”
“I love you,” I repeated, then leaned up to press a sweet kiss to his lips, but it wasn’t enough for him. His hand tangled in my hair, and he angled my head to deepen the kiss. His taste invaded my mouth, and I moaned. Easton let out a little frustrated growl, and I was suddenly lifted into the air. I instinctively wrapped my legs around him, and my back hit the brick wall behind me.
“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” he said between kisses.
“I’ve missed you too.” He kissed his way down my throat and nuzzled my neck.
“Please don’t ever leave me again,” he pleaded, pulling back to stare into my eyes.
“I won’t,” I promised, and I had every intention of keeping my word. He kissed me again, this time slow and sensual. I rocked against him, grinding myself against his growing erection. Air hissed through his teeth, and his grip tightened on me.
“Take me home,” I whispered, and he eagerly granted my request.