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McMichael?Before I can process the name, Nadia rushes outside in only her bra and a pair of shorts. She’s frantic, eyes wide and rimmed in red. I open my arms and she falls into me. “Oh my God, Nadia, are you okay?”

A sob escapes and she shivers against me. “I was so scared. I kept telling him I wanted to leave.”

“Brent?” I ask, holding her tighter as a tremble runs through her body.

“No. CJ.”

CJ McMichael. Axel steps out of the house, expression hard as stone. He takes off his jacket and wraps it around her shoulders. “You two get in the car.”

“What happened in there?” I ask, looking behind him. “Where’s Reese?”

Voices rise inside the house, and I see Reese chest to chest with another guy I don’t know. He’s huge, bigger than any of the other guys. His leg is in a cast.

“I know you think you’re Teflon, but you're not,” I hear Reese as Axel pushes us toward the car. “Especially you, McMichael. This is the shit that’ll follow you for the rest of your fucking life and no franchise will touch you.”

“Is that CJ?”

She nods.

“Get in the car,” Axel says. “I’ll get Reese.”

I walk her to the car and help her into the backseat. Looking back, I see Axel and Reese exit the house. Reese’s gait is jerky and his jaw is angry and tight. He looks over his shoulder more than once like he’s considering going back in. Thank God, Axel keeps him moving.

“I’ll sit in the back,” I tell Axel when they get close enough. He nods and slides in the passenger seat.

Reese approaches, hands cupping my face. “You okay?”

“Yes,” I nod, although the harsh truth about what just happened is slowly hitting home. “Are you?”

“Fucking McMichael,” he growls. “I knew he was a prick but…” he exhales and presses his forehead to mine. “How is she?”

“I’m not sure, but thank you for coming out here with me.”

“Don’t thank me. They’re both going to be lucky if this doesn’t get out.” He presses a kiss to my mouth. “Come on, let’s get you two back home.”

23

Reese

“You good?” Axel asks when I walk back onto the porch of the teal house. The car ride back was tense, no one speaking other than a few whispered words between the girls in the backseat. Back at the house, Twyler’s been closed up in Nadia’s room. I can’t bring myself to leave without checking on her one more time.

“Yeah,” I nod, still trying to get my temper under control. “Thanks for coming with. That could’ve been a huge shit show.”

“Could’ve?” He laughs darkly. “Fuck, I don’t know what those guys are thinking.”

It’s hard to rattle Axel. Nerves of steel are required when a slapshot is hurtling at your face a hundred miles an hour. I’d told Twyler I picked him because he was the most sober. Truth is, there’s no one I’d rather have by my side in a dicey situation.

“McMichael is benched for the year,” I say. “He’s fucking desperate, that’s what he’s thinking.” His shot at the NFL is dwindling the longer he’s off the field. “But Reynolds? He’s just an idiot.”

“Well, you know I’ve always got your back. On or off the ice.” He looks over my shoulder through the open door to the house. “So, you and TG, huh? For real?”

“Yeah.” I’m not afraid to admit it. “It’s for real.”

“Nice. She’s a cool chick. Cute and funny. I like her for you.” He grins. “I fully approved of your puck bunny phase, but it never suited you.”

“Please don’t say anything.” I run my hand through my hair. “Green can’t find out or she’ll lose her internship. She already got a warning.”

“Your secret’s safe with me,” he says, then lowers his voice, “but Nadia needs to report this shit, because I don’t think that clown is going to stop any time soon.”