Page 45 of Capturing the Captain

“So when I go to the stadium next week and have a talk with management, you wouldn't have an interest in that?” He says, a smug smile spread across his arrogant face.

“What are you talking about?”

“You didn't tell me you work with the Florida Flames, Liv. Imagine my surprise when I found out that you actually made your life's dream of being a sports photographer come true.” I know where this conversation is heading. My heart rate is increasing to dangerous levels and my palms are sticky with sweat.

I feign indifference. “Why would I tell you? We’re not friends.”

He ignores that statement, instead replaced with one that makes my stomach instantly drop and fall out of my ass. “I’m sure you can also imagine my surprise when I found out staff and team relationships are forbidden."

I’m speechless. I have no idea what to say. There’s nothing I can say right now. I’m sure Ryan wouldn't hear it anyway. “How did you find out?”

“That doesn’t really matter, does it Liv?”

“How did you find out, Ryan?” I stress again, my panic rising more and more.

“You forget I’ve become friends with some of the team who live in this building. There’s something about you and Josh that seems…off.” Ryan says, that smug smile so bright you could see it from space. “I decided to ask about you. They said you’re the best photographer they’ve ever had. I had to dig more, seeing as no one brought up their captain when they were talking about you, which to me seemed strange, considering you’re in a relationship.”

“Get to the fucking point.” I snap, fisting the straps of my beg to stop from punching him in the jaw.

“The point is, I was told that relationships between staff and players aren't allowed.” I go to ask him who told him, but he beats me to it. “Who told me doesn't matter. What does matter is what’s gonna happen when I leave here.” I stay silent again, anxiously waiting for him to say what he needs to. “I’m gonna need you to end this little thing between you and Josh.”

I rear back as if he’s slapped me. “Excuse me?” I ask, shocked.

“You heard me, Liv. You and Josh are done.”

“Or what?” I ask, poking the bear when I know I shouldn't.

“Or I will go to management and tell them all about your relationship,” he says the last word with disgust as if the mere thought of me and Josh being together makes him physically sick. “And trust me baby,” he pauses and I inwardly gag, “I will stop at nothing until Josh is off that team.” I always knew Ryan was a prick. I just didn't think he would stoop this low. My eyes well with tears but I refuse to let them fall. I won't give him the satisfaction. “You have until Thursday, Liv. I already have a meeting scheduled with management on Friday. You end this thing with Josh and I will cancel. It’s that simple.”

Simple? Is he fucking serious? Not one bit of this is simple. Before Ryan can say anything else I slam the door in his face and let the tears fall. Not even the sound of the door hitting Ryan’s head eases the ache forming in my chest.

I can't believe this. My whole body is shaking. Vibrating from the sadness and fury. I curl up on the couch and become an uncontrollable mess of tears.

27

Josh

It’s late before I get back to my building. Coach worked us hard again today. He’s been in a shitty mood for months now and it seems like he’s taking it out on us at practice. Like the more we work, the more steam he lets off. Maybe it’s all the shouting he does at us that lets him blow off steam.

For some reason though, most of the team are blaming me, simply because I’m the captain. It’s not my fault that Coach has a giant stick up his ass.

The only thing keeping me going today is the fact that I get to come home to my girl. I still can’t believe she’s moving in with me. I knew she would, but there was always that little seed of doubt planted in my head. The more I thought about asking her to move in, the more that seed grew. I knew I just had to ask her before I talked myself out of it.

Ryan is sitting in the lobby when I walk through with his laptop sitting open on his knee and a smug fucking grin on his face. The urge to bash his head into a wall everytime I see him is so fucking strong but it looks like maybe someone beat me to it today with the purple bruise forming above his eyebrow.

He catches my eye, the shit eating grin on his face making me wary. Why the fuck is he looking at me like that? Whatever, that dickbag doesn’t need to be taking up space in my brain.

The familiar ding of the elevator sounds as it reaches my floor. I've always found that sound quite soothing. It signifies finally arriving home after a long ass day on the ice. And now, it signifies getting to see my girl when I walk through the door.

I unlock my door and throw the keys in the bowl on the side table. Shrugging my bag onto the floor, I roll my shoulders, an ache forming from the intense training. I see Olivia curled up on the couch and I go to her. Her face is hidden by her arms and there are used tissues surrounding her. An uneasy feeling creeps into my stomach.

“Ollie?” I ask quietly, not wanting to wake her if she’s sleeping. She jolts in surprise, sitting up too quickly. Her eyes are wild and puffy and I know she’s been crying. “Hey baby, what’s wrong?”

She sniffles a few times, not meeting my eye and the uneasy feeling doubles down. “We need to talk.” That’s never a good sign. I sit on the other end of the couch. If I could move closer to her I would but her legs are covering most of it.

I place my hand on her foot but she quickly pulls it away from me, placing both legs against her chest and hugging them. Why doesn’t she want me to touch her? A sense of deja vu washes over me. We’ve been here before.

“Ollie, what’s going on?”