Page 22 of Capturing the Captain

At that moment, the elevator doors open and Josh is standing on the other side.

“Hey, baby.” I say, stepping into him.

He kisses my forehead. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” I smile up at him, hoping to give him a little reassurance.

As we’re walking away from the elevator, doors slowly closing, Ryan calls out, “Seriously, Liv? That guy? You think he’ll stay faithful to you? That man has a rotating cycle of girls coming up this elevator to his apartment. You can’t tell me they’re all here to play a game of chess. You’re just another pawn he’s using until he gets to the queen.”

With that, the elevator doors shut and I’m left to wonder… is that true?

I’m not stupid. I know the reputation involving hockey players. I’ve seen it on social media, sports news outlets and with my own eyes. But… I thought Josh was different. Am I really just another one of his conquests coming up to his apartment, letting him fuck me and then dump me like the rest?

I feel so stupid right now. My stomach drops because maybe I don't know Josh as well as I thought I did. Am I gonna get my heart broken thinking this thing between us is more than it is?

12

Josh

I open the door to my apartment and Olivia walks past me towards the couch. My girl is visibly shaken; pale skin, fake smile, hands quaking.

“What was that?” I look down into her sad eyes. Well I try to but she's avoiding my gaze.

“That was Ryan.” She inhales deeply. “My ex fiancé.”

Fuck.

“I didn't even know he lived here. In Florida, I mean. I can’t fucking believe this.” She huffs, rage rolling off her in waves.

“Baby, it’s gonna be okay.”

“Is it?” She yells, pacing the living room, hands running through her hair. Taking a deep breath, she calms herself a little. “I'm sorry, Josh.” She sits on the couch.

“It’s okay, Ollie.” I sat beside her, “Hey baby, don't cry.” I reach out to touch her but she moves away at the same moment. I get she’s upset about seeing her ex for the first time in years. I'm sure it brings up a lot of emotions. But I don't understand why she's shutting me out.

“Seeing Ryan surprised me, sure, but that's not the reason why I'm so upset.”

“Okay… Well, what is the reason?”

“It’s what he said, you know, about your revolving door of women. Is it true?.” She looks deep into my eyes, right into my soul.

Fuck me. This woman had her heart broken by her father and then her fiancé in the same way, and now, here I am, manwhore of the year, having to open up about my past, hoping to reassure her that I'm not like them? That she won’t get hurt again? I feel like this is the end when we've barely begun.

“I’ll be honest with you, Ollie, because you deserve the truth.” The emotion shining bright in her eyes is crushing me. “I’ve never had a girlfriend before. Hell, I've never been on a date before. But this thing between us isn't anything like I've ever felt before. I've never experienced this type of attraction before. Am I attracted to your body? Yes. Am I attracted to your mind and soul? Also, yes. This has never happened to me before.”

“I get that Josh, I really do, and it means a lot to hear you say that, but you didn't answer my question.”

I take a deep, steadying breath. “It's true.”

Her eyes well with unshed tears and I want nothing more than to reach out to her, but I keep my distance for now.

“How many women?”

“Olivia, you don't -”

“Please, just tell me.” She says, vulnerability in her tone.

I huff a breath, now running my hands through my hair. “I don’t even know.”