Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
JONAH
- Present Day -
“ I fucked up that night, not just the other night with the kiss, and I just- fuck, Sutton! I’m not saying this right. I’m fucking crazy about you. Have been for years. And I just need you to know. . .”
Goddammit.
This asshole just can’t leave well-enough alone. As if he didn’t already crush her spirit once before, now he’s going to go and rip the damn thing out of her chest and stomp all over it again without even trying.
Not today .
Not on my fucking watch.
Not with my girl.
Fists balled at my sides and jaw clenched so tight it’s aching, I force myself to let out an unsteady breath, mentally prying my fingers apart until my hands are relaxed at my sides.
I need to be calm if I’m going to be in control of this situation.
Sutton needs me to be in control. At least for now, so get your shit together Davies.
I lean against the wall, crossing my arms in an attempt to both look casual and to stop myself from doing what I really want, which is to charge into the room and steal my girl away from this asshole once and for all.
Instead, I remain in place, forcing each breath to remain calm as I continue to observe the train wreck that is just waiting to happen.
“Talk to me, Shorty.”
Even from her back, I can see the hesitation and fear in how she holds herself.
And I don’t need to see her face to know the longing that she tries to hide in those baby blues of hers.
She’s always loved him, even after the shit that went down between them.
But she won’t ever give in to that, she won’t let herself try; Once bitten and twice shy, or however that damn phrase goes.
The sick irony of this whole joke of a situation is that I love this woman so damn much, and she doesn’t even see it.
I would give her the fucking world if she would let me.
But the asshole in front of me ruined any chances of that before I had ever met her; so now, because of this dumbass, she wouldn’t even consider letting her heart be open to another athlete, let alone another hockey player like myself.
Never mind that we are perfect together, have proven how good we can be together , even if she refuses to acknowledge it.
No, I‘ve just mooned over this damn girl since the day I met her in rehab all those years ago. She made me forget about my toxic asshole of a situationship that I had been in, and every other person that I’ve hooked up with since, and now all I want is her but for better or worse, she’s never going to give me a chance if she can’t let go of the jackass in front of her.
And even if she was willing to try, she’d never be able to move on if she’s left with these thoughts of ‘what-if’ and all the ‘what-might-have-beens’.
“I – I don’t know how to anymore.”
The sadness in her voice jolts me out of my own morose thoughts, and a burning jealousy fills me as he reaches out to touch her. My fucking woman.
Without another thought, I find myself stepping forward.
“She doesn’t trust you, jackass.”
Sutton takes a small step back, towards me.
That’s right, asshole. She trusts me. Gravitates towards me. I’m her person, not you.
But as I look between them, I see it. What she spoke about so long ago. For as much as he hurt her, he loves her too. I can see it written all over his damn pretty-boy face and those damn sad-puppy heart eyes. And she refuses to admit it, but I know she still loves him too.
“She doesn’t trust you. . .but she does want you.” I tilt my head slightly, trying to talk myself out of what I know I’m about to do. Because goddammit, I will do whatever it fucking takes to make my girl happy. Even if it kills me.
I can’t believe I am actually going to do this.
I move closer, stepping into Sutton’s side, and touching her gently, a silent reminder that I’ve got her.
I can literally see the weight lift from her shoulders as she sighs, leaning ever so slightly into me.
And I have to bite back the shit-eating grin as I watch Robinsky’s eyes widen in shock, then narrow as he focuses on that simple gesture between us.
“And I may fucking despise you,” I pin a glare in his direction, “but I adore her .” You have no fucking clue how much.
I step closer, pulling Sutton more securely into my side. “So unfortunately for me, it looks like we’re doing this.”
She will never give me a real chance if she doesn’t do this; if she doesn’t answer that long-pining ‘what if’ so she can finally move forward. And as much as it kills me, I know she’ll never do this on her own; she doesn’t trust her judgement when it comes to him.
But she does trust me. With her body and with her heart.
God-fucking-dammit .
I guess we’re really doing this.
Steeling myself, I take a deep breath as I gently nudge my girl forward.
Her steps are hesitant, still unsure of what I’m playing, and I can read the same confusion and uncertainty that washes over Robinsky’s face.
For fuck’s sake. Do I have to do everything my damn self?
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I can’t help the words that escape my mouth, mirroring my thoughts. Rolling my eyes, annoyance radiates from me in waves, and I try to ignore the pit sinking to the bottom of my stomach as I reach out to grab this fucking idiot and drag him closer to my girl.
Fucking hell. We’re doing this.
My teeth clench as I bite out, “Well, are you going to fucking kiss her, or not?”