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

“Earth to Ash Kelly.” Everly waves a hand in front of my face.

“Fuck. I’m sorry. I just saw someone I know.”

“A girl someone?”

“Maybe.” I grin. “But I’ll find her later.”

“Go.” She chuckles. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Thanks, Little Sharpie. Good to see you.” I squeeze her shoulder as I pass her to head for the couple at the door.

But by the time I get there, they’ve moved. I turn in a circle, looking for them. His angry voice is what finally leads me in the right direction. Standing outside of the bar a few feet from the entrance, he backs her up against the building as he speaks. “Are you cheating on me?”

“What?” Her voice is stronger and more assertive than I imagined for her small frame. Her boyfriend is tall and broad. It’d be totally reasonable if she was intimidated, but she speaks loud and clear. “Of course not. I told you, I have to go to work.”

“Can’t you just call in? I’ve barely seen you this week. It’s not like you’re performing surgery or something. How much help can you really be?”

Her gorgeous features twist in annoyance. “Screw you.”

“I’m sorry. Fuck, it’s just that I want to hang with you and you’re blowing me off.”

“No. I’m not. I told you that I’d have to leave right after the game.”

I have an overwhelming desire to high-five her for sticking up for herself while this prick talks down to her and then switches to victim-mode.

“Hang out a little longer. I’ll drive you there when it’s time.” His tone is pleading and pathetic.

“I need my car. Otherwise, you’ll have to pick me up in the morning and take me home. Last time you forgot.”

“It was one time,” he says sharply. He wraps his fingers around her bicep. “Come on. Please?”

“I can’t. I really need to go.”

“One drink. You can stay for one drink.” He pulls her along by the arm.

She winces but doesn’t protest again as she stumbles after him.

I step in front of them. “Let her go.”

Her sharp inhale precedes him shooting daggers at me. “Fuck off, man. This doesn’t concern you.”

His hold on her must tighten because her face contorts with pain.

“The fuck it doesn’t.” My jaw tightens as I watch her face pale. “You’re hurting her.”

He looks down to where he’s gripping her and lets go. “Sorry. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

Her lips part and form an O, but it takes her a second to speak. “No,” she says finally. “I’m fine.”

“See?” He flashes a cocky smile at me. “She’s fine.”

“She doesn’t seem fine. I think you should take a walk and cool down.” I take another step toward him. He’s taller than me, but softer. He looks like he works out just enough to have the appearance of a fit guy, while I’ve trained nearly every day since I was fifteen. My muscles aren’t for show. Although, that is a nice bonus.

He huffs a laugh and sticks out his chest as he comes toward me. Too dumb to know he can’t possibly win this fight. “Run along before I kick your ass. She doesn’t want anything to do with you, Ash Kelly. You’re a has-been they should have traded years ago.”

Now I’m pissed. A rush of heat spreads through my body. I assumed he didn’t recognize me, but calling me a has-been? Fuck that. I take a step and curl my hand into a fist.

“W-wait.” The girl grabs on to his arm. Some of her long, blonde curls fall over her shoulder. I couldn’t make out her eye color earlier, but they’re a greenish-blue, almost turquoise. “This is stupid. Let’s grab a drink at that place we went last week and then you can drive me to work.”

It doesn’t take a lot of effort on her part to stop him. She shoots me a look that tells me to get lost. I don’t want to leave her alone with this guy though.

“Go,” she mouths. I hold my ground until she adds, “I’m fine. I don’t need your help.”

Her boyfriend sneers when I eventually step back. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

With a huff, he shrugs out of her hold and heads down the sidewalk in the opposite direction with her walking quickly to keep up. I stand there and watch, feeling all sorts of conflicted about letting her leave with him.

My body tingles as my temper cools. What a fucking asshole. Who manhandles a chick like that?

As they turn the corner, she looks back and smiles, but it’s fake as hell. Her dimples don’t even pop. Then they disappear out of sight.





2





DID IT COUNT?


ASH





One month later


Coach enters the locker room thirty minutes before we go out for warmups. His suit is unbuttoned, and his face is downcast as he paces in front of us. Even without looking up, I can still make out the deep lines burrowed in between his eyes from scowling for the better part of a month.

A quick look around at my teammates and their expressions are just as grim. We’re frustrated, tired, and playing like shit. Everyone stops dressing and gives him our attention.