In Your Wildest Dreams (Wildcat Hockey, #4)(38)

I turn with a mixture of anxiety and fear. Gabe’s dark brows are raised in surprise. His black hair is gelled to perfection and his suit tailored for his tall and wide frame. He takes me in, gaze lingering on the jersey I’m wearing and then flicking up to Ash, who’s moved to stand beside me.

“I thought that was you,” he says. “I was going to ask what you’re doing here, but I think that’s pretty obvious. He’s why you’re too busy to take my calls?”

I blocked him and stopped sharing my location after I saw him last, but instead of correcting his assumption that I’m here with Ash, I ask the only question banging around in my head. “What are you doing here?”

“I tried to tell you. Now that I know you’re fucking him, I’m glad I didn’t ruin the surprise.” He looks at Ash, way too pleased with himself, and dread washes over me.

Ash curses under his breath.

“Do you want to tell her, Kelly, or should I?”

A moment passes where Ash does nothing but keep his stony expression aimed forward at Gabe.

“You’re looking at the new assistant GM.” He puffs out his chest and his slimy smile widens.

“Wait, what? You got a job here? With the Wildcats?” I look from Gabe to Ash. The latter’s expression confirms my questions.

“So, you’ve heard?” Gabe asks Ash.

Ash looks at me apologetically. “I saw him earlier, but I didn’t piece it together until now.”

Gabe takes another step forward and I tense. Ash moves farther in front of me.

That stops Gabe, but he huffs an amused laugh. “It’s best if you stay out of my way, Kelly, and keep away from things that belong to me.”

Belong to him? Surely he doesn’t mean me. Because hell no. I’m not property. Certainly not his.

Ash’s body goes rigid in front of me, back muscles straining against his shirt, but he doesn’t say anything as Gabe gives me a parting look that’s filled with the promise, this isn’t over.

“Guess I’ll be seeing you both around.” He turns and takes a step, and then pauses and glances back at Ash with a slimy smile. “I was sorry to hear about your shoulder. And during a contract season. That’s a tough break.” He sucks in air through his teeth. “I look forward to seeing you back on the ice. The team needs help with scoring right now or we’re going to have to make some painful adjustments.”





14





HARD AND PISSED


ASH





Bridget left in a hurry after we ran into Gabe. What a fucking prick. A prick that I now have to work with.

I catch Jack downstairs as he’s coming out of the media room.

“Hey,” he says as he turns his hat backward. “Wanna grab a drink at Wild’s?”

“We have a problem.” I lean forward and whisper the bare minimum info to fill him in.

His expression morphs instantly from relaxed to on edge. He’s a good captain. He’s always led by example first, but he’s also the first guy ready to jump in and solve any obstacle in the way. Personal and professional, because with a job like ours, it all sort of bleeds together. In a fight, there’s no one I’d rather have my back.

“Give me five to grab my stuff.”

While he does that, I congratulate Tyler on his two goals tonight.

“Thanks for the advice,” he says. “It helped.”

“I didn’t do anything. That was all you.” I lift my fist and he bumps his against it.

“Can’t wait to have you back on Monday.” Leo shoulders his bag. I know he’s eager to get home to his wife and baby, so I don’t tell him about Gabe for now.

It only takes Jack two minutes and then we’re heading out. I follow him in my truck to our neighborhood and then his house.

He’s pouring two glasses of whiskey, some expensive shit he saves for the good nights and for the bad.

I take a seat on the barstool in front of the giant island in the middle of his kitchen. I wrap my fingers around the glass but don’t sip yet. “How bad is it?”

“That depends.”

“On?” I ask, finally taking a drink. It’s rich and strong and burns my throat as I swallow.

“If you’re planning on staying the hell away from Bridget or not.” He leans back against the counter, crosses one ankle over the other and regards me seriously.

I think back on the night. If she hadn’t already turned me down twice before, my answer might be different. No matter how much of a connection I feel, I’m not sure she’s in the same place as me. I shake my head. “She’s made it very clear that she’s not interested in dating me.”

“Then I don’t see any reason for this to be a problem.”

His words don’t reassure me like I’d hoped they would.

“You should have heard him. The way he talked to her. She held her own with him, but I could tell she was rattled.”

“Repeat after me, ‘It’s none of my business.’”

“If some asshole talked to a girl like that in front of you, you’d be able to just let it go?” I know he wouldn’t.

He doesn’t reply, though. He finishes what’s left of his drink in one long gulp.