Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Right to my husband.
CHAPTER 17
Coleson
I try to focus on what Coach is bitching about, but my mind keeps circling back to my wife. She looked nervous this morning when I took her a drink from the coffeehouse. So nervous that I couldn’t help but touch my lips to hers for a quick kiss. I was trying to ease her concerns, but all it did was give me a raging hard-on and leave me wishing I had gone with her to lunch with her family. I didn’t want to overstep when she obviously didn’t need me.
I’d only be there for my selfish need to know she’s okay.
To support her.
But she didn’t want that. Or at least, she didn’t voice it.
“Vangy, Andy, Katz, stay here.”
Fuck me.
I shuffle back and forth on my skates as the guys head off the ice, leaving only my line. I’m playing center on the first line, taking Ciaran Carter’s position. On my line are Maverick Evangelina and Kai Andrews. Maverick likes me just fine, mainly because I can pass the puck and I don’t talk his ear off. He doesn’t care about my past off-ice antics because they don’t affect him. But Kai, well, he hates me. He is the best friend of the guy whose wife was a part of my bullshit. He doesn’t want me on his line, and he has made that abundantly clear. He is purposely ignoring me during all drills. He passes the puck to Evangelina even when I’m open. Since I don’t have a skate to stand on when it comes to his behavior, I go with it.
I fucked up. We both know that, and he doesn’t want my apology or my story.
It is what it is.
“Aye, you lot look like shit out there,” Coach says once no one else is in earshot. Coach grew up in Scotland but came to America when he was a teenager, so it’s only when he’s upset that his accent comes out some. Everyone likes to make fun of his accent, but I’d rather not die, so I act like it doesn’t exist. “My three best players, yet no one can get a shot off? This is bullshit. What is the problem?”
His question hangs in the air between us. I don’t look at either Evangelina or Andrews. My gaze stays on Coach. I know the reason, but I’ll let Andrews explain it.
To my left, Evangelina shuffles his feet. “No problem here, Coach. Bad day, maybe?”
I want to laugh, but I keep it in. Coach sets him with a look. “No, it’s been like this all week.”
“There is no chemistry between us. It’s hard for me to play with someone who slept with my best friend’s wife,” Andrews says, his tone cocky and angry.
Like Tag Team claims, “Whoomp! There it is.”
I should correct him, but I refrain. There is no point. Coach sets Andrews with a dark look. “So, she’s your wife too?”
Andrews bristles. “No. But it’s hard to play with someone—”
“Then I’ll send you down to the second line.”
“What? I didn’t do anything wrong here.”
“You’re refusing to play with a teammate because of who he slept with. It takes two to tango, buddy, for one. And for two, I don’t give a shit what happens off this ice. I care what happens on it,” Coach bites out, his eyes wild. “Fix this, or changes will be made.”
Evangelina holds up his gloved hand. “Since I’m good with and can play with both of them, can I go? I’ve got to get ready for my wife’s ultrasound.”
Coach nods. “Aye, go on.”
I nod to Evangelina, and he sends me a supportive grin before skating off. Good dude. I need to remember to get him a gift for the baby once we know what it is. Maybe my wife likes to shop for babies. Coach holds Andrews’s gaze. “Anything to get off your chest, Andy?”
I can feel the anger coming off Andrews in waves. “Coach, he slept—”
“I don’t care. It was last season. We’re worried about this season.”
“He’s a sleazeball.”
“Maybe so. But he can play hockey, and I want to win.”
I don’t say a word at first, mainly because I don’t have a clue what to say, but also because I suspect nothing I say will change how he views me. Yet I want to try. “Give me a chance to change your mind,” I say without looking at Andrews. “I know I’ve fucked up. But I’ve cleaned up my act, and I’ve got my head on right.”
I feel him shooting daggers at me with his eyes. Call me a coward, but I don’t meet his gaze. “He loves her, has loved her since we were kids. What you two did has changed everything.”
I could say so much, but once more, I know it won’t make a difference. I can’t put all the blame on her. I was in the wrong just as much as she was. “And I’m sorry for that.”