If only.
He’s right, of course, but that change is just not in my nature. I’ve been swinging before thinking since I was a kid. I had no brothers to take out my pent-up aggression on, so it was kids on the playground. Little boys who pushed Ari, kids who would make fun of us when they saw my mom’s obviously fake lips,anyonewho got in my way. That’s why my parents put me in hockey.
I thought it would tame with age, but it didn’t. Maybe if I’d dropped the hockey stick, it would have, but this sport breeds aggression, and I am paid handsomely for being the way I am.
“But then I wouldn’t be the sweet little boy that you fell in love with,” I counter, sticking out my bottom lip.
He lets out a chuckle, shaking his head. As he puts on his coat, heaving his bag onto his shoulder, I wonder if the other guys would have my back as easily as Declan does. He asked what I was doing, I offered up my horrendous idea, and he accepted it. It was that simple. That’s brotherhood.
Boston would never say a word to anyone, I’m sure of it. He’s a vault, that one.
Would Saltzy have my back and support the lie I just told? If it blew over quickly, I think he would. Anything to make the team look good.
Lark? Reno? Oscar?
I’m not so sure. Lark and Reno are young and stupid. They might get drunk and start yapping at the bar. Find it funny and run their mouths to their friends. Tell girls they want to hook up with that I’m also single, so that their friends will gravitate toward me. Word would get around quickly that not only is Carter Forkerro a madman, but he’s also a dirty little liar. Or a cheater. That might be worse.
I don’t plan on pretending to be a loyal, doting lover boy for long, but I have to stick it out for a bit to make sure my name vanishes from the headlines and doesn’t start popping up in more.
Cheating on my ‘girlfriend’? This ‘girlfriend’ not existing? Headline material.
“Hey, don’t worry about it,” Dec says, slapping me on my shoulder.
“I’m not worried about a thing.”
Totally am.
“My lips are sealed. Just tell me how you’re going to play this. If you want to come over for dinner and have a double date with me, Lucky, and the air—I’ll support you and cook up an empty plate for an empty chair.”
I roll my eyes, but can’t help the laugh that tears through me. We walk out of the locker room, through the players’ exit, and into the parking lot. There’s instant flashing, and I grumble to myself, keeping my eyes down. The wolves are closer than usual. They shouldn’t be. They aren’t allowed back here.
But they got a story, so they’re taking risks to get their pictures after what happened this weekend and what I just announced in the press room. They’re probably hoping to see a lady on my arm. Unfortunately, all they’re getting is their golden boy with his golden eyes by my side.
“Don’t start talking to your empty passenger’s seat,” Declan mumbles out of the side of his mouth. “They’ll figure it out.”
I grin, shoving his shoulder lightly. Asshole.
He barks out a laugh, dipping his chin once before heading toward his Range Rover while I walk to my pride and joy—my G-Wagon. I still don’t look up. I don’t wave, like I usually do. Neither of us goes and talks to the fans, either, which strikes me with a stab of guilt. Some people can only be here once, and I’m denying them their once-in-a-lifetime moment with their favourite players. That was shit I used to dream about as a kid.
Imagine twelve-year-old me standing outside of this arena, a Saltzman jersey in my hands, and he just…drives past me in his expensive car? I would have cried for months.
But I can’t. Not tonight. I don’t want questions, accusations, or pictures that people will dissect. I have an assault charge hanging over my head. Suit Guy isn’t going to go willingly, and yeah, he has the grounds to kick up as much shit as he wants.
I almost can’t blame him. I rocked his shit. It’s not like he’s lying.
I’ll pay all the fines. I’ll take all the charges. Just, for the love of god, don’t take the game away from me.
CHAPTER EIGHT
carter
“Hey, man.”
Declan smiles as he throws open the door, smacking his hand into mine. He pulls me in and I clap him on the back, peering into the beauty that is his new home.
Penny pokes her head up from the couch as we climb the stairs. I love that damn couch. I begged him to sell it to me if he wasn’t going to bring it from the condo, but he told me I’d have to pry it from his cold, dead hands. It's the best couch on earth. I’ve crashed on that thing more times than my own damn bed.
Dec’s girl smiles, lifting her hand to wave, alerting the attention of her furry friends who are surrounding her.
