“Too bad. It can be lots of fun. Cole and I had us some wild sex last night.”
My nerves are still tingling from her statement about secrets. What did she mean by that? And I thought she was after Wolfe. She couldn’t get him so she slept with his best friend?
“That’s nice, Tiffany. Look, I’m sorry to cut things short, but I’m in a big rush,” I say.
Wolfe’s bedroom door swings open.
“We heading out?” he asks with his gym bag perched on his shoulder.
He looks at me and I look at Tiffany and then he realizes she is there too. “Oh, I didn’t see you there,” he says to her.
“Spent the night with Cole,” she tells him, like she’s bragging or trying to get a reaction out him.
“Good for you,” he says coolly. Then he looks back to me. “We should head out,” he says.
“Yeah.” I nod.
I turn to leave and Wolfe follows me. Tiffany shouts after us. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Wolfe asks me.
“No clue.” I shrug.
We both get our boots on and head to my place.
Twenty-Three
Wolfe
We head over to Rebel’s and she seems awfully quiet in the car. I’m learning to read her and right now she looks unsettled.
“Got something on your mind?” I ask her.
“No. Just Tiffany. She rubs me the wrong way.”
“Don’t pay her any attention. She’s a puck bunny. She’s just jealous that we’re together.” I’m not sure where the words come from, but when I say them, I realize how true they are.
Rebel stares at me with her brows drawn together. “What do you mean? I thought you don’t do relationships.”
“I don’t. But, I mean, we’re exclusive and I want you in my bed again,” I say as I pull into her driveway.
“I want to be in your bed again too.” She smiles as she leans in to kiss me. “You should come in. You didn’t eat or drink anything. I can make you a protein shake or some eggs before your workout.”
“Thanks.” I shut off the engine and head inside after her.
“I’m really sorry we didn’t have time to discuss you entering the draft,” she says, bringing up our interrupted conversation from last night.
“Thanks. Maybe tonight,” I say. “Besides, we had more pressing issues.” I wink.
“They definitely were pressing.” She grins, blushing.
“Is it crazy to say I like to see you flushed and blushing?”
Her breathing picks up and her eyes hood over.
“You can’t look at me that way if we’re going to get you to the gym on time,” I tell her and I swat her ass.
She yelps and then we walk into the house. Her sister is awake and something is going on upstairs. She must have the douchebag over.
Rebel looks over at me, the heat in her eyes replaced with worry.
“Let me show you where the protein powder is.” I follow her to the kitchen. “Can you make us both a shake while I get ready?”
“Sure.”
She quickly places a couple of bananas and protein powder next to a blender. “There’s ice cubes in the freezer and we should have almond milk in the fridge.” And then there is more shouting from upstairs.
“I’m going to go see what’s going on,” she says.
“I’m going with you.”
“It’s fine. Let me just go check on them. Blossom may not be decent. She’s been strutting around here half naked most of the time since the jerk moved in.” She sighs.
“Okay,” I agree, but I’m on edge. If the guy is using as much as Rebel thinks he is, then he could be a loose cannon.
I start on our shakes, but I don’t turn on the blender just in case so I can hear what’s going on. Rebel heads upstairs and I stand in the kitchen with my arms crossed in front of my chest, waiting.
Twenty-Four
Rebel
I head up the stairs to hear that Blossom is shouting at Preston to stop.
My heart gallops in my chest as memories of my father assault me.
“You promised me,” Blossom cries.
“So what if I fucking promised you?” Preston shouts at her.
I walk over to Blossom’s room. She sleeps in the master bedroom that used to be my parents’. I listen by the door. Going in and facing a drug addict who is out of control is the last thing I want to do. The last time I did that my life was changed, and not for the better because I lost part of my leg. Yet being with Wolfe and experiencing him and this relationship and how good things can be when you’re willing to take a chance has taught me that I can’t live in the shadows anymore. I know a drug addict can be unpredictable, and I need to play it safe, but I also need to face my fears.
I knock on the door. “Blossom, is everything okay?” I ask. I clearly know it isn’t, but I can’t just barge in there. What if they’re both naked?
“It’s fine, Rebel,” she shouts through the door.
“Fine. Fine,” Preston shouts. “You’ve been freaking the fuck out all night because she didn’t come home.” My stomach sinks. I’m mad at Blossom for choosing him, but I don’t want to keep my sister up at night worrying either.
“I’m fine. I stayed at—” The door swings open.
Preston stands there in a pair of boxers while Blossom is on the other side of the room in a nightie.
“This is not fine,” Preston shouts. His pupils are blown. “You’re a little slut who’s keeping your sister awake all night.”
“You can’t talk to her that way,” Blossom chides him.
“You’re a fucked-up little slut too,” Preston says.
I gaze at the side table to see that there is a little case on it that has white powder and a straw.
I look at Blossom and her dark eyes are filled with fear. “I’m sorry,” she mouths.
“You need to come home and sleep in your damn bed.” Preston points a shaking finger in my face. “I don’t need my girlfriend up all night worrying about your sorry little ass.” He turns around and takes the lamp and smashes it to the ground.
“Get the hell out of here,” I say to him.
“Rebel,” Blossom warns.
“No, this is enough,” I say to my sister.
“Take your damn drugs and get out of this house before I call the police,” I say to Preston.
He bursts into laughter. “I’m not taking orders from a little girl.”
“I’m a woman and I’ve asked you to leave. Now.” I hold his gaze while keeping my voice even. My heart beats fast and I’m terrified, but I stand my ground.
Blossom looks at me, and even through the tears in her eyes I can see that she is proud of me. “You need to leave, Preston,” she says to him.
“Fuck you. Stupid bitches,” he growls. He goes to pick up the rest of his drugs, but the case falls to the floor and he curses. So instead, he takes his clothes. I think he’s going to put them on, but he just holds them and stumbles out of the room, mumbling. Blossom and I follow him down the stairs to make sure he leaves, and that’s when I see Wolfe. He doesn’t say a word, just watches.
“Fuck you,” Preston says to him, but Wolfe doesn’t engage him. Preston walks out into the freezing cold air wearing a pair of boxers and no shoes as he gets on his bike.
“He’s taken a bunch of pills and snorted coke,” Blossom says to me and Wolfe.
“We can’t let him get on that bike,” I say.
“No, we can’t,” Wolfe agrees.
“Rebel.” Blossom reaches out to stop me. “You can’t go after him. Not this time.”
The last time I went after someone, it was my father in his car. I lost part of my leg for my trouble.
Wolfe is already out the door and after Preston.
“I can’t let you get on that bike,” he says to him. “You can kill someone in your state.”
“Fuck you. I can do what I want,” Preston snarls.
“I n
eed to call the cops,” I say to Blossom.
She hugs her arms around herself and nods.
I make the call.
Preston pushes Wolfe in the center of his chest, but surprisingly, Wolfe stays calm.
“I allowed that once. I won’t allow it again,” Wolfe warns, his tone stone cold.
“This is bullshit. I can ride my bike if I want,” Preston whines.
“Move away from the bike before I move you myself,” Wolfe orders, the epitome of calm and cool.
“The cops said they’ll be here soon,” I tell Blossom.
I head out after Wolfe and confront Preston. “I’ve called the cops. They’re on their way.”
“Dammit. You stupid bitch.” Panicking, he starts to dump the contents of his pockets on our driveway. Little baggies of pills and white powder fall to the ground. Preston looks wildly at the drugs. He’s probably looking for a way to dispose of them.
A cop car stops in front of our house with the sirens blaring.
After asking us some questions, the cop detains Preston. Preston swears at the cop and then he swears at Blossom as he is being put into the back of the cruiser.
Blossom cries and apologizes profusely.
“You okay?” Wolfe asks, coming over to me. He places each of his hands on my shoulders and stares into my eyes like he is checking me over.
“I’m okay,” I assure him. “Thanks for being here. For helping us.”
“You pretty much handled him on your own,” he says. “That was badass.”
“He’s right,” Blossom agrees. “That was amazing.”
My sister is freezing and shaking. “You should go inside,” I say to her.
She nods and heads back into the house.
“I think I need to stay with her,” I say to Wolfe. “Thanks again. I’ll message my supervisor and tell them I can’t make it this morning.”
“Sure. Do you need anything?” he asks, and right then I realize I am more than okay. I’ve faced my fear.
“It’s more my sister I’m worried about,” I say.
“Okay.” He leans in and places a peck on my cheek. “I’ll call you later.”
“Yeah.” I nod and head back in to Blossom. I find her sitting at the kitchen table in a fit of tears.
“I’m so sorry,” she says on repeat. “I’m so, so sorry. If he would’ve done anything to hurt you, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
“We’re okay,” I assure her as I come around and wrap my arms around her shoulders. She can’t stop shaking. I head over to the coat rack and take a coat to place on her shoulders.
“You were right. I should’ve never allowed him in here. I’m such an idiot,” she chides herself.
“You aren’t an idiot. Don’t talk like that. You liked the idea of a relationship, and I get that now, but being with a guy like Preston could only lead to bad news,” I say gently.
“I feel horrible. If he would’ve hurt you…” She shudders.
“He didn’t. I’m okay.”
“You’re more than okay. The way you stood up to him. That steely glare. You had him cowering. You showed no fear.” Pride and awe fill her eyes.
“I was shaking. My whole body was shaking, but I knew I couldn’t show it. Even though it isn’t always fear that someone like that senses. He was completely out of it, and he had so many drugs on him.”
“I wanted to believe he was changing, but he was never going to change,” Blossom says, tears falling down her cheeks.
“Probably not,” I agree sadly. After my experience with my father, I’m not too optimistic. “I’m in awe of you,” she states.
“I appreciate that, but you’re pretty awesome yourself.” I squeeze her hand.
She snorts and snot comes out of her nose. “I’m a mess. I make bad choices and I feel… hopeless.”
I frown. “You aren’t hopeless. We just need to focus on getting you on a different path. You can’t spend your life working in that diner and living here in Westfall. It’s a dead end,” I say. “I have another year before I graduate and then I want to apply to some PT programs. I don’t know where that will take me, but I think you need to go back to school. It’s time.”
“With what money?” Blossom asks.
“We have the insurance money. It belongs to both of us.”
“No. I’ve told you a hundred times I will not touch that money,” she says adamantly.
“Yes, you will. I insist.”
Westfall is a private university that costs an arm and a leg, and if it weren’t for my scholarships and the insurance money, I never would have made it through. “Even some of the state colleges are good, and I am giving you part of my insurance settlement. Hell, if we need to sell this house to put you through college, we are doing it.” I punctuate my statement with a slap on the counter. “No arguments.”
Blossom laughs. “You’re nuts.”
“Maybe.” I tilt my head from side to side. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I wasn’t coming home last night. I was angry that you were choosing Preston, and I didn’t feel comfortable being here when he was here and he was here all the time.”
“I never asked him to move in. He just kind of started staying more and more. I’m sorry I didn’t consider your feelings. I was in a bad place and wanted to feel good.” Blossom lowers her head.
“I’m sorry that it came to that,” I say, hugging my sister again.
“No more relationships for me,” she states.
“Well, for now it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to focus on you and getting your life on track.” The smile I give her is encouraging.
“When did you become so enlightened?” she asks.
“Haven’t I always been this way?” I ask playfully, bating my lashes.
Blossom’s lips turn down and she throws her arms around me. “Thanks, Rebel.”
Twenty-Five
Wolfe
“Good work today, Wolfe.” Coach Cooper claps me on the back as all the guys head into the media room.
“Thanks, Coach. It feels really good to be out there,” I say.
“You were lucky this time,” he agrees.
We all head into the media room and take our seats as Coach preps the plays.
“As you know, we’re playing Harvard Monday night,” Coach Ramirez says. “Havenshire will be playing Yale. If we win against Harvard and Havenshire beats Yale… well, you know where I’m going with this.”
“We got this, Coach,” I assure him, and the guys follow by cheering me on.
“I appreciate your confidence, Wolfe, but we aren’t going to beat Harvard on confidence alone. We need to study their plays and players. We need to be prepared for everything, and that includes having Bozeman start if necessary,” Coach says, and my stomach sinks. Does he not think I can handle it? My knee has been fine. I don’t show what I’m feeling, of course. Having played hockey since I was five has taught me how to keep a poker face. I don’t let emotion rule me, not in the game. The key to winning is thinking smart. Or smarter than your opponent.
I remain quiet as coach goes on. He shows us some of Harvard’s recent plays, which includes a game against Havenshire. I watch fucking Berlin and his stupid antics and my blood pressure rises. No. I will not let him get a rise of me. The way to beat Harvard and Havenshire is by outsmarting them.
After watching an hour of plays, Coach dismisses us.
“Judd, stay behind,” Coach Ramirez says.
“What’s going on, Coach?”
“I just wanted to make sure you got your head in the game. I know you’re pissed about Berlin, and you have every right to be, but look at it this way. He probably wanted to put you out for the season and didn’t get his wish. He deserved a suspension, but you know how it is.” Coach Ramirez shrugs.
I do know how it is. Hockey can be violent, and certain refs aren’t willing to call the penalties. That’s how it’s played in the NHL, and sometimes division two college hockey is no different.
“You do
n’t need to worry. I’m going in thinking smart. Not going to let him get a rise out of me.”
“Good.” He claps me on the back. “I’ve asked Davis and Bozeman to be here at seven a.m. sharp tomorrow morning to run some extra drills. I’d like you to join,” he tells me.
“Yes, sir.”
“Glad to have you back, Judd. The Frozen Four is getting close. We can make it.”
“That’s the plan,” I agree.
Coach leaves the media room and I stay behind to watch a few more plays, paying extra attention to Berlin. The key will be not to let him get too close.
I wrap up in the media room and take my backpack so I won’t be late for class. As I head out of the arena, I send Rebel a text.
Me: How are you holding up?
I wait but there’s no response. So I tuck my phone into my back pocket and walk over to the main campus. By lunch, Rebel texts me back that she’s okay. But it doesn’t feel like enough. I want to see her. This morning was seriously rough. It’s not like I haven’t seen my mom lose control before. I have, but it was different. Maybe because she was my mom and my family has a team of doctors on standby who could come to our house to subdue her. This Preston guy was scum. At least he won’t be coming around their house anymore. When I think of the way Rebel stood up to him, pride bursts inside me. Just weeks ago, she was a shadow on campus. Now, I see her feeling good in her own skin, and it makes me feel good too.
I attend classes for the rest of the day, and by early afternoon, I head back to the house. The guys are lounging in the living room playing video games. It’s not really my thing.
“What’s up?” I ask, dropping my backpack on the ground.
“Sigma Pi is having a huge party tomorrow night. I say we should all go,” Declan announces.
“Haven’t you been partying enough?” I ask Dec.
“Don’t get on my case. You don’t know what I’m going through,” he says.
“So maybe you should tell us. I mean, there has to be a normal explanation as to why you are fucking two different girls in one day,” I say sarcastically as I take a seat on the couch.
Heartless Player: A College Hockey Romance : (Westfall U Series) Page 16