Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
AUSTIN
Nick intercepted me before I made it to Jesse’s car, and I steeled myself for the inquisition as he steered me to his instead.
“How are things going with Jane?” he asked as I shut the passenger side door and buckled up. “Clearly, it isn’t fake anymore. Unless you somehow faked that photo, but I can’t imagine why you would.”
“Things are… complicated.” Now that he’d raised the topic, I was glad he’d separated me from the others.
It would be good to talk the situation through with someone who at least understood the basics of what had actually happened rather than our carefully orchestrated lies.
“I care about her, and she feels the same for me, but I’m not really sure where things stand. ”
Nick started the engine and checked his rearview mirror before backing out of the parking space. “How do you mean?”
I shrugged, a little embarrassed. “I’m concerned that she might bail. We’ve been through a lot in a short time and she’s already skittish. She doesn’t like the attention and she’s worried that I’m using her for access to her family. If I say the wrong thing, it could send her running.”
Honestly, running away would be the smart thing for her to do. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to want to—yet.
Nick turned the car onto the street and headed toward Rinkside.
“I can see where she’s coming from. Part of the reason Gus suggested this whole thing is because of her family, and I’m sure people have tried to use her to get close to them before.
Is there a way you can prove to her that it’s not about that? ”
I dragged my teeth over my lower lip. “I may have gone off script during our interview earlier. I’m hoping that helped.”
Although I was also worried about how Trent and Robertson would respond. Cindy had seemed thrilled with the interview, so hopefully that meant it would go well enough to make them less likely to blow up my career.
Nick glanced at me, his eyes wide. “Shit. That was brave. Let’s hope it works out for you.”
“I’m crossing my fingers.”
He indicated to pull into the Rinkside parking lot. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to make things easier for either of you.”
“Thanks.” I bumped his shoulder. “You’re a good friend.”
He parked and we got out of the car. Across the lot, Jesse, Brown, Rasmussen, and another rookie were spilling from Jesse’s car in a wave of raised voices and good cheer.
“Do you think I should have another talk with them about behaving appropriately in public?” I asked, motioning toward the group.
Nick cocked his head, studying them. “I doubt you need to worry yet. If we start winning more, that’s when you might need to step it up. There’s nothing like a winning streak to inflate egos.”
As we passed by a couple of guys smoking outside, they called out congratulations. I tipped my head toward them and Nick thanked them.
Inside, the bar was bustling. The lights had been dimmed, and a replay of our game was airing on several screens. Music played quietly and a group of rowdy college-aged guys halted their game of pool to stare at us as we entered.
Immediately, they swarmed us, their game forgotten. I forced a smile to my face, reminding myself that it was nice to have fans. Fans were what allowed me to have a generous salary and a nice house, and to pay for Hazel’s schooling.
Nick was better at handling them than I was, so he made conversation while we signed T-shirts and accepted their commentary on the game.
Once they’d been appeased, they slowly dissipated and we made our way to the bar.
I ordered a soda water with lime and Nick got a sugar-free lemonade.
We carried them over to the tables reserved for the team.
I sat beside Matt, who raised his beer. I clinked my glass against it and took a sip.
“So.” He leaned toward me, swaying in a way that made me think this beer wasn’t his first. “I noticed Jane wasn’t wearing anyone’s jersey today.
I’m guessing that’s out of respect for the fact her brother plays for Colorado.
I’ll let you get away with it this once, but next time, she’d better be in one of ours. Boyfriend trumps brother, right?”
A wave of possessiveness rolled through me at the thought of putting my name on Jane’s back. I liked the idea a little too much.
“I think it does,” I agreed, already debating whether to give her one of mine or order a new jersey in her size.
It would probably be more considerate to get her something new, but the thought of her draped in a jersey that belonged to me—perhaps even wearing it as a dress—gave me a thrill that made it no contest.
He looked around. “She’s not here tonight?”
“No.” I drank more soda, enjoying the tingle on my tongue. “She wanted to come to the game, but she isn’t ready for more than that yet. Not after… you know.”
He grimaced. “Tell her that none of us will give her a hard time. I think what happened to you guys is crap and I won’t look at her differently. If anyone else does, I’ll put them in line.”
“Thanks, Matt.” To my surprise, I found myself smiling at him for real. We’d always gotten along well enough, but I’d never considered us close. Perhaps I’d have to rethink that.
He shifted in his seat, uncomfortable. “It’s what any decent person would do.”
Something dark flitted through his eyes, and I couldn’t help but wonder if something had happened in the past to make him feel strongly on the subject. I wouldn’t ask, though. If he wanted to talk sometime, I’d be here to listen.
Along the table, Brown groaned, “Another Taylor Swift song? Fucking hell, don’t they realize this is a sports bar?”
Opposite him, Drew slammed his beer down hard enough to make Brown jump.
“There’s nothing wrong with Taylor Swift,” Drew growled. “She’s got more talent and money than you ever will.”
“Ooh, does Drew have a thing for Taylor?” Brown teased, but a sharp look from Drew had him zipping his lips.
I couldn’t help chuckling. Drew always had his headphones on, and I’d assumed he listened to heavy metal or classic rock, but perhaps our team’s biggest hothead was secretly a Swiftie.
“It’s nice to see them mostly getting along, isn’t it?” Nick said.
“It’s amazing.” We couldn’t say there was peace on the team. There was still tension. But they’d come a long way, and they’d deserved the win tonight.
“Shots, shots, shots!” Jesse chanted, setting down a platter of shot glasses filled with an array of colorful liquids on the center of the table next to ours. He grabbed two and placed them in front of Nick and me. “Bottoms up, boys.”
Laughing, I pushed mine away. “I’m too old for that shit.”
Jesse waggled his eyebrows. “You’re only as old as you feel.”
“Well, my knees feel ancient, so…”
“Spoilsport.” He grinned and took the shot back. “Nicky, can I count on you?”
Nick rolled his eyes, but he grabbed the drink and tossed it down the hatch. Jesse high-fived him and passed shots to Matt and Brown.
By the time the waiter came to take our orders, at least half the team were well on their way to getting drunk.
We eventually managed to give the poor man our enormous order and then I made sure to grab the worst offenders and remind them not to do anything they didn’t want to see on the front page of tomorrow’s paper.
I also gave them each a full glass of water and stayed with them until they’d emptied it.
Then, captain’s job done, I took a much-needed bathroom break.
I’d washed my hands and was winding between tables on the way back to ours when a woman stepped in front of me. She was young, possibly in her early twenties, with dark hair that spilled around her shoulders. She wore a belly-baring crop top paired with denim shorts.
“Hi.” She flashed pearly white teeth. “I’m Nadine.”
“Hello,” I replied warily. I knew that look in her eye. It was predatory.
She moved closer, her hips swaying with each step in a carefully calculated way. “You should buy me a drink.”
I backed up. “I have a girlfriend.”
She pouted and ran her hand down my arm. “She doesn’t have to know. I bet I can do things to you that she’s never even heard of.”
I snatched my arm away, my skin crawling. I felt like I needed to return to the bathroom to wash her touch off me.
“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t cheat.”
I stalked around her, coming up short at the sight of Rebecca Jansen at the table directly in front of me, her phone pointed straight at us.
My stomach dropped to my shoes. What was the chance she’d just recorded that exchange?
I was willing to bet that, if she decided it would make for a good headline, she wouldn’t show the whole recording on the Chicago Sports News Online website. There would probably just be a freeze frame of me standing with Nadine—or God forbid—of her touching my arm.
I groaned and buried my face in my hands. I’d just have to talk to Rebecca. I could make nice. Perhaps she’d drop it.
But I’d only taken a few steps toward her when I realized how flawed that plan was. If I confronted her, she’d no doubt find a way to turn it into a scene, and then she’d play the role of victim being harassed by a big, mean hockey player.
What was I supposed to do?
Perhaps I’d just have to explain everything to Jane if she tried to twist it. My teammates would believe me. I’d never hooked up with random women in bars. But would Jane see the truth?
I didn’t know.
Especially not when she was already insecure about her own worth. I turned slowly and walked to our tables. I’d have to head her off. Get in touch with Jane first. But if I rushed in with excuses, would that make me look guilty?
“What’s wrong with you?” Drew asked as I sat down.
I sighed. There was no point hiding it. They’d probably find out soon enough. “Some woman just came onto me, and Rebecca Jansen recorded it on her phone.”
Drew’s eyes narrowed, and it hit me that I might have just made a terrible mistake. He pushed back his chair and scanned the room.
“Don’t worry about it,” I said, but it was already too late. He’d caught sight of her and was on his way to her table.
Drew stood over her, his arms crossed over his broad chest. He made an intimidating sight. “Do you enjoy hurting innocent women?”
Rebecca’s lips parted in surprise. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. I’m trying to protect other women from falling for the likes of you.”
I rushed over and grabbed Drew’s arm, trying to pull him away before he gave her any more ammunition.
“I know that photograph was you, too,” Drew hissed, straining against me. I didn’t know what he’d actually do if I let him go. It wasn’t as if he were about to beat up a woman. Drew may be hot tempered, but he generally directed it at people just as big as him, if not bigger.
“It wasn’t. I—” Rebecca’s voice cut off as I hauled Drew back to the team’s tables.
“You can’t lose your shit like that,” I growled at him, pushing him onto his chair. “It’s exactly what she wants.”
Drew’s jaw clenched and his eyes burned with dark fury. “I don’t understand why you aren’t angrier at her. She messed with your woman.”
I sat, trying to mask my roiling emotions. “I am mad, but Jane wouldn’t want me to get myself and the team into more trouble. Sometimes the best thing you can do is not give people the reaction they want. You’ve gotta shake it off.”
“Just like your beloved Taylor says,” Jesse teased.
“Shut up, Jesse,” I said, wondering why he’d thought that now was a good moment to poke the bear. We needed to help Drew get a hold of himself, not encourage him to blow his top.
Drew exhaled sharply. “Fine, I’ll stay away from her, but it’s not going to be easy.”
I reached across and squeezed his shoulder. “I appreciate the effort.”
“Yeah. You’d better.”
Relieved that that crisis was over, I grabbed my phone and opened my messages, internally debating whether to get in touch with Jane directly or go via Hazel.
In the end, I decided that it was best to avoid Jane getting wind of this entirely until I was there to explain it to her if possible. I texted Hazel.
If Jane sees anything that looks like me with another woman before I get home, make sure she knows that it isn’t how it looks.
The reply came only a short minute later.
What did you do?