When I opened the door to the changing room, Drew was leaning against the wall. I’d been expecting this. The second he saw me enter he pushed off, striding toward me, wrapping his arms around me in a hug, holding me against his massive chest.
He really should win an award for his hugs. There was nothing better.
He kissed my head. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
The high from the class vanished and the tears I’d been holding back burst forth, the dam I’d built no longer strong enough to contain them. He wrapped his arms tighter, cupping my head, stroking my sweaty hair. I could hear his heart beating strong in his chest as I cried against him, sobbing uncontrollably until his steady breathing soothed me enough to stop.
“Let me see.”
He picked up my arms and examined the dark bruises which had developed.
My breath was still catching. “It’s nothing.”
He ran his hands so gently over the bruising that fresh tears filled my eyes, his thumb tenderly brushing the welts, but I could feel anger radiating off him. “It’s not nothing, Emerson. This isn’t okay.”
My chin started to tremble again, because I knew he was right.
He brushed away a tear that fell and softly kissed my lips. “I have to go to practice, but can you just get in the car with me now and Ralph can drop you back in the country. Please?”
I couldn’t think of anywhere I wanted to be more, except with him.
“Okay.”
He grabbed my bag from my locker, throwing it over his shoulder and watched me as I silently pulled my hoodie on. Holding his hand out for me to take, he led me out of the room, his hoodie up high over his neck, baseball cap low, his head down with a single focus on getting us through the busy reception to the car without being noticed. I waved to Ashley as we passed, her face telling me she knew what had happened.
He held the door open and climbed in the back with me, Ralph driving off as soon as the door was shut. Drew wrapped his arms around me and I snuggled into his chest, letting his strength and warmth radiate through me.
I must have fallen asleep because when I next looked out of the window, we’d arrived at the entrance of the Rangers’ impressive training facility, driving up to the main arena.
Drew gently lifted me off his shoulder as the car stopped, cupping my face, pulling me in for a kiss. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“Okay, baby, go home and I’ll be there in a few hours.” He jumped out, taking his sticks and bag from the trunk and tapped on the roof when he was done. I watched him walk into the building, the car moving slowly off.
Twenty minutes later, Ralph turned around as he waited for Drew’s big gates to open up. “Emerson, do you need me to get anything for you? I can drop you off and then bring it back.”
I smiled. “No, thank you. That’s really kind, but I don’t need anything.”
“Okay. Call me if you change your mind and I can bring it back when I drop Drew off.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I nodded, stepping out of the car. “Thank you, Ralph. And thank you for being there this morning.”
Because if you hadn’t…
I shook those thoughts away immediately.
“Anytime. Get some rest, okay?”
I pushed open the big front doors and dumped my stuff on the floor of the entrance hall.
How was it only eight thirty a.m. and I’d already had a crazy day?
I just wanted to start all over again.
