by Emma Tharp
Saying the words only deepens the crack in my heart.
He shrugs me off, sprays cleaner across the surface of the tabletop, and begins scrubbing it across with a sponge. "It wasn't a big deal."
"It is to me. Why are you ignoring my calls?"
"Too much. Too fast."
This is such bullshit. He wasn't acting that way the day he left me. None of this makes sense.
"What did I do?"
He doesn't answer me, but continues to scrub at the tabletop with a tight pinch between his eyebrows.
I grab his hand to stop it from moving. He finally looks me in the eye.
"I wish I knew what happened between us. Was it my father? Did he have something to do with this?"
"He's the dean."
"That's not what I asked. Did my dad tell you to stay away from me?" I need to hear him tell me the truth.
Gavin drops the sponge and steps in so close I can smell the peppermint on his breath and see the tension tic in his jaw. "Dammit, Stella. You think this isn’t hard for me too? I’m in an impossible situation. Just leave it alone."
My heart aches seeing the pain in his eyes and the desperation in his voice. Chemistry still crackles between us; it won’t just go away. This is when I know the truth. It’s palpable. He cares about me, enough to not lie. While he's not admitting my dad put him up to breaking up with me, I know he did. I realize now Gavin cares enough about me to listen to my father's warning to stay away from me. For both of us.
I bite my lip and reach up to cup the side of Gavin's face. He doesn't flinch away, only closes his eyes.
"I was so mad at you, Gavin. For pulling away so suddenly and ending things.” I breathe in all the pain, and slowly blow it all out, releasing it into the air. “And because you didn't tell me the truth, but I know why. I see it clearly now. You didn’t have a choice.”
He doesn't say anything but his deep navy eyes hold my gaze as if he can see through me.
"I want to release you from this prison you put yourself in. I spoke with Justin."
He blinks and turns away, but only for a second, then he’s back with me. "What? Why?"
I hold his big warm hand in mine and squeeze it. "Because he knows you. He told me he overheard what Dad said. So I talked to your coach. It's okay, you aren’t going to lose your spot on the team or your scholarship. He loves you. I took care of everything."
He stares at me in stunned amazement before he grips me around the waist and lifts me off the floor. "Are you serious?"
When he finally sets me back on my feet, I grip his face and pull him in for a long, soft kiss.
“You deserve your spot on the team. And so much more than that. You deserve love, Gavin.”
Gavin pulls back and rests his forehead against mine. "I can't believe you’d do that for me."
"I want you, and I want us."
"Stella Chambers, I love you."
Happy tears spill down my cheeks. In three little words, my heart heals, and swells in my chest. "I love you, too."
"Good, because I'm not letting anybody or anything get between us again. I promise you that, Stella."
I believe him, and I've never been happier to see where our relationship can go.
Twenty-Four
Gavin
The locker room is electric, humming with energy. Guys are cheering, high-fiving, and celebrating our big championship win.
The last two minutes of the game, we were all on the edge of our seats unless we were on the ice. There was no room for error. It was a tied game, and no one wanted to lose.
Justin had some huge saves and I had two assists. I'm back on left wing now since my teammate who was injured is all healed up and back on forward.
With sixteen seconds left of the game, Jett dumped in a backhanded shot that won us the championship game.
The way we’re all celebrating, you'd think we just won the Stanley Cup.
Coach stands in the center of the room and sticks two fingers in his mouth to whistle. The sharp blast quiets the room.
"You guys really showed up today, and for that, I’m proud." He pumps his fist in the air. "Congratulations on a game well played, and a nearly flawless season."
The room fills with wolf whistling and cheers.
I high-five Justin, who’s sitting next to me.
None of us can wipe the dumb grins off our faces, including Coach.
"I knew we had a solid team at the beginning of the year, but you guys exceeded all of my expectations."
A round of ‘thanks, Coach’ and ‘we love you, Coach’ carry around the room.
"Hey, Coach. You ready for us to set you up yet?" Justin asks with a laugh.
Coach waves a dismissive hand in Justin’s direction. "Today is your day. Let's not worry about my love life."
It seems like the guys won't be satisfied until Coach is dating someone new.
"I expect you all to continue your workouts during the off-season, and I look forward to next season. But tonight, you all deserve to celebrate—just not too hard." Coach gives us a wink and a smirk before he goes back to his office.
I've been on teams that have won big games before, even tournament championship games, but none of them have felt quite this sweet.
“Hey, Gavin, somebody is here to see you,” Jett says on the way to his locker.
“Who is it?”
Jett shrugs and strips off his jersey. “Not sure. Some dude.”
Thanks for the intel, Jett. I take off my skates before heading out to the hallway.
My gut sinks. The dean is leaning against the doorframe. Instead of turning around and ignoring him, I stroll right up to him.
He raises his chin. “Good game.”
“Thanks.” This is fucking weird. He’s the last person I expected to see here congratulating me.
Dean Chambers slips his hands in his pockets. His knees bend, then straighten.
“Look. I wanted to stop by to tell you…” He clears his throat. “I apologize for everything that happened. I was wrong for what I did. My daughter and I aren’t on speaking terms until I apologize to you. Then it’s my hope we can repair our relationship.”
I struggle to find the right words to say. Having him here in front of me is totally unexpected. “Okay. That’s up to her. I won’t get in the middle of your relationship like you tried to get in the middle of ours.”
“I know. You’re right.” He leans against the wall. “I’m not looking for your help. But if one day Stella and I can get back on track, I want you to know that if you make Stella happy, well, that’s all that matters.”
My eyes widen in complete disbelief. Stella’s father is not only apologizing to me, but he also seems to be accepting our relationship.
“What changed?”
“It’s all my daughter. She stopped by and told me how she feels. She opened my eyes. All I want is to see her happy.” He slowly reaches his hand out.
I stare at it, still shocked. I know an olive branch when I see one, and because I want Stella in my life-long term, I grip his hand in mine and shake it.
“Thanks for stopping by,” I say, unsure what else I could possibly add.
“Be good to her.”
I nod. I’ll be so much better to her than you ever were. That’s what I want to say, but don’t. Instead, I walk back into the locker room.
Holy shit. Did that really just happen?
I sink onto the bench.
“You okay?” Justin asks, lifting an eyebrow.
I chug half my water bottle. “Yeah. I can’t believe it, but Stella’s dad just stopped by to apologize to me.”
Justin runs his hand through his sweaty hair. “No shit?”
“Right. I still don’t believe it. And I’m not one hundred percent sure he didn’t have an ulterior motive. He’d probably like me to put in a good word for him with Stella, but I don’t plan on doing that. When she’s ready, she’ll work it out with him. I’m not getting in the middle of that mess.”
&nb
sp; “Maybe it’s a step in the right direction.”
"Maybe." I pick at the tape on my stick and start unwinding it. "You know that you broke all kinds of bro code rules by telling Stella about what happened between me and her father."
Justin loosens his leg pads and doesn't look at me. "Shut up. You know you're happy I did. Plus she had a feeling all along that it was her dad that ruined everything. I just confirmed it for her."
He's right. If he hadn't, Stella and I might not be back together.
"Yeah, yeah. And the crazy thing is, I think this is going to work out. Long-term. You know?"
Justin sits up and puts his hand around his ear. "What's that sound? Is that wedding bells I hear?"
I ball up the piece of hockey tape I just tore off my stick and throw it at him. "Hey now. I didn't say all that."
"I'm pretty good at predicting these things. I better be your best man."
It's crazy, because I can picture it: Justin and I standing next to each other on a beach somewhere as we watch Stella walk toward me in a long flowing white dress. My chest fills with happiness at the thought.
"You are the best, man. So, what's the deal with you? I haven't seen you with a girl lately. Dry spell? Because you can't be over here trying to help my romantic life and Coach’s and ignoring your own."
"I absolutely can be over here doing that." Justin looks down, the jovial mood shifting to something darker. "Come on. Let's be real. You know my history. There's only one girl I ever really wanted and I can't have her. So like I told you before… Distractions. I'm too broken for love. Instead of this depressing shit, let's talk more about Stella."
I'm good with that. But the one thing I like more than talking about Stella is being with her.
"You going to the after-party at the bar down the road?" I ask Justin.
He gives me a thumbs-up and his mood seems to have lifted. “Shit yeah. Wouldn't miss it.”
I give him a thumbs-up back before I hit the showers. Afterward, I dress in a rush, because Stella told me she’d be waiting for me.
Just outside the door of the locker room, there are fans cheering everywhere. I get high-fives from people I've never met before, but my focus is finding my girlfriend.
Big Ted, a linebacker from the football team and a guy who's always partying it up every chance he gets, lifts me up. My feet actually leave the ground and he crushes me in a bear hug.
"Nice win!" he shouts in my ear.
"Thanks, man."
Big Ted sets me down and we bump fists. "You going to the after-party?"
"I'll be there." I swat him on the arm before walking away.
I weave in and out of people, eyes scanning the space, desperate to find my girl.
The air swooshes out of my lungs as Stella slams into me. She throws her arms around my neck and I lift her like Big Ted lifted me seconds ago.
"Congratulations!" she shouts over the noise of the crowd. She cups my face in her hands and plants a big wet kiss on my lips.
PDA is something I've never done before, but being with Stella has changed me.
"Thank you," I whisper in her ear.
"I'm so proud of you." Her pale green eyes are lit up with love and admiration.
Pride swells in my chest, and I can't remember a time in my life when I've been happier.
"I love you, Stella."
"I love you too."
For the first time in a long time, it doesn't feel like I’m against the world. I'm not alone, and I finally feel whole. I have Stella to thank for that.
The End
Thank you for reading Play the Game! I hope you enjoyed Gavin and Stella’s story. If you did, why don’t you check out Hate the Player, Book Two in the Golden Boys Hockey Series, Justin and Lyndsey’s steamy story?
His nickname is the brick wall since he rarely lets a puck make it to the back of the net. The thing is, he also has a wall around his heart.
Justin Thompson is the starting Goalie at Boston college. After his recent break-up with the girl he thought he’d marry, Justin’s in no hurry to get his heart broken again. Popular with the ladies, he’s someone that almost every girl on campus tries to tie down. When Justin finds out his best friend, Miles is cheating on his girlfriend, Lyndsey, Justin can’t believe his friend would sink so low.
Lyndsey Walsh has a terrible feeling her boyfriend, Miles is cheating on her. Lyndsey hasn’t had it easy since her mother lost her job and hasn't been able to help her financially. On top of that, she finds herself drawn to Justin, her boyfriend’s best friend. They’re in all of the same classes together and she offers to help tutor him. Maybe then she can ask him for the truth about Miles’ cheating ways.
Justin wants to stay away, but Lyndsey is always there. He tries to stop it, but is powerless to their chemistry. He could have any girl, but the only one he wants Lyndsey. If they get together, all hell is going to break loose on the team. Will Justin change his player ways and risk it all for Lyndsey?
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About the Author
Emma Tharp is the USA Today Bestselling Author of The Bluff Harbor Series, The Next Verse, The Rules of the Game Series, The McLoughlin Brother Series, The Monroe Series, and The Golden Boys Hockey Series. She was raised in upstate New York. Being an only child, she spent a great deal of time alone, dreaming up characters who would keep her company on long family road trips. Putting her writing on the back burner, she went to college and became a chiropractor. After spending twelve years healing patients, Emma decided—with the help of her amazingly supportive husband—to use the creative side of her brain and let her characters come to the page.
If she’s not writing, Emma can be found at the gym, one of her kids sporting events, Starbucks, or a live music event.
A perfect day for Emma would be spent at her lake house with her husband, two ginger-haired children, and Vizsla, reading a book and drinking a large cup of coffee (or wine) with music playing in the background.
Contact Emma Tharp at:
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Also by Emma Tharp
What About Her (Book One of the Bluff Harbor Series)
What About Us (Book Two of the Bluff Harbor Series)
The McLoughlin Brothers Series Boxed Set
Scoring Chance (Rules of the Game Book One)
Crashing Christmas
Winter Wonderland
Home For Christmas
The Trade (Monroe Series Book One)
Falling For the Bad Boy (Summer Secrets Book One)