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But he’s the one I usually go to when I’m having Slade Matthews problems. His advice is always solid, too.
SkatrGirlPen: I had a run-in with my nemesis at the bar, and it didn’t go over well.
Using tongs to pull out each BBQ wing, I place them each on a baking sheet and then open the oven door, placing the pan and wings in to cook while I wait for Win’s reply.
WinTheDay067: What did he do this time?
It’s only six words in a simple text, but the way Win instantly takes my side and assumes that it’s Slade’s fault, always makes me feel instantly supported.
SkatrGirlPen: He picked a fight with some drunk guy who touched my ass at the bar. I had it under control, but instead, he jumped in like the watchdog he keeps thinking I need… which I don’t. He just about beat the guy to a pulp. I was humiliated yet again while the entire bar watched Slade make a spectacle of the situation.
From Isla and Tessa’s perspective, I should be happy that a big guy like Slade was there to tell the guy to get lost. But they weren’t there the last time that Slade “came to my rescue” and ruined everything for me.
SkatrGirlPen: I could have handled it quietly myself, you know? My friends think he was being protective. Am I overreacting because of our history?
WinTheDay067: No matter his intentions, he should respect your boundaries. Have you considered having a conversation with him about this? Maybe it’s time you two talked this out.
SkatrGirlPen: Talk it out? I told him that I want him to leave me alone. Isn’t that enough?
I can’t help but feel a little weird talking about the man I slept with four days ago to the man I’m waiting for to be available to meet up so we can see if there is something more between us.
Not that Win and I have any sort of relationship or understanding. And for all I know, he was banging his way through the greater part of Europe.
And for God's sake, I haven’t even met the man.
WinTheDay067: You two will be working together for the foreseeable future. Don’t you think it would help to lay it all out for him and maybe hear his side of what happened? Maybe there’s more to the story? Avoidance doesn’t seem to be working. Maybe at least you could agree on a ceasefire?
SkatrGirlPen: It's more like I need to challenge him to a duel. At least in the end, there will be a resolution one of us can live with.
Ok, that was dramatic. I’d erase it so Win doesn’t think I’m an unhinge crazy person, but I already sent it.
WinTheDay067: I’m sorry he ruined your birthday Pen. I’ll make it up to you someday, I swear. I have to go, though. Goodnight.
SkatrGirlPen: Thanks for hearing me out and letting me vent. I don’t know what I would do without you.
Slade
I stare down at her last message, reading it a couple more times even though the rest of the team is grabbing their gear from the locker room and heading out for our away game tonight.
“I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Fuck, I’m so screwed.
She’s going to hate me when she finds out.
Hearing her say that I ruined her birthday hurts. Because for me… minus our fight in the bar, it was the best damn night of my life.
And it wasn’t solely because of the sex.
For the first time in four years, I finally got to touch her skin, kiss her lips, and run my hands through her hair. Our bodies were connected, and maybe for just a split second, I thought she’d see what I saw. That this thing between us is something worth fighting for, even if it means we’re fighting each other.
If she gave me the choice, I’d take fighting with her every day over not having her at all.
“Let’s go, hustle, hustle, we have a championship to win,” I hear Coach Bex say to all of us in the locker room.
I tuck my phone into my duffel bag and grab my gear.
I can only tackle one fight at a time, and tonight's fight is beating Denver.
