AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fuck him.
Cillian isn’t on the bench when I look across the ice. Vaughn nods his head toward the tunnel, letting me know they took him back, likely for concussion protocol. Isla and Sadie aren’t here tonight because Sadie has a cold. I bet they’re watching from home worried as hell.
The hit on Cill and my fight only lights a fire under our team’s bench. We end up winning five to two. Wylder is chilling with the team medical staff when I make it to the locker room, his feet kicked up.
“Easiest win I ever had,” he says to me as I clunk my way to him, not even stopping to drop my skates.
“You good?”
“Doc says I’ll be okay, my bucket looked beat up so they’re being cautious. I stayed back here to let them pamper me since you guys had it handled,” he says, and I’m not sure if I should believe him. “You knocked that shitbrick into next week. Nice job.”
“He fucking deserved it.”
“Agreed. You okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lie. I’m not fine, I’m pissed off. But what the hell can I do about it?
“Whatever you say, Fane. Clean up, press is bound to want a soundbite from you.”
Ah, it looks like it’s going to be a longer night than I’d hoped for. I’m typically one of the first guys out of the locker room after a game. Everyone wants a piece of me today though. I take a minute to shoot a text off to Willa and Damian, letting them know not to wait around for me.
Even though they’re the only people I feel like being with right now.
There was a text from Damian waiting for me when I finally made it out of the arena. He said he was hanging out at Willa’s and to let him know when I was home. It’s so late that I should tell him to go home, except I’m tired of being alone every time something shitty happens to me.
So, when I walk into my apartment, I leave the door unlocked and let him know before I drop my ass down on my amazing couch and pull Netflix up on the television.
When my door opens, it’s not just Damian. He’s holding Willa’s hand as she follows him inside. She comes straight to me, dropping his grip, and kneeling next to me.
“That looks nasty, Zan,” she says, sounding far more concerned than needed. A bruise has bloomed around my left eye and cheekbone, but it’s nothing more. “Do you want some ice?”
“Nah, gorgeous, it’s fine.”
“You kicked his ass.” She gently runs her fingers all over my face, looking for other bruises or wounds. When they drag to the corner of my mouth, I open it and nip at her lightly, making her laugh.
“Fuck that guy,” I say. “Did you talk to Isla? Sadie okay?”
“Yeah, they were freaked out, but Cill called them as soon as he could.”
“Good.”
“What did he say that started it all,” she asks. Leave it to a Cole not to miss a single step on the ice.
“Asked how many dicks I sucked during intermission.”
“Are you fucking kidding me,” Damian asks from his position on the other end of the couch.
“I’m sorry, Zan, that’s horrible.” I look from him to her and see tears threatening to spill.
“Shh, Willa.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her onto my lap. “I paid him back, he’ll think twice next time.”
“I hope so,” she says, staring up at me with sad eyes.
“You want to kiss it better,” I tease, expecting her to laugh again. Only, she doesn’t. Instead, she nods. “Yeah?”
Willa makes a sound of agreement and looks toward Damian. He gives her the go ahead with a tilt of his chin. Her soft palm lands on my jaw a moment before she moves her lips to mine in the gentlest kiss I’ve received. It’s not rushed or hungry, it’s sweet and caring. And far too short.
“How do you think he knew to say such a horrendous thing to you,” she says when she pulls away. It’s only an inch or two, but the distance feels greater.
