Page 65 of Ruled Out

“We literally made things official last night, and we had a lot to work through, like over four years of shit to straighten out. I’d hurt her bad when I left Dallas and joined the Scorpions.”

Zach turns to leave, and I grab my gloves and follow, Jensen right on our heels.

“She’s the girl we saw in the café at Whistler, isn’t she?” Zach asks.

“Yeah.”

Zach stops just before we hit the ice and looks at me one final time. “Give the fans the best show of their lives, make yourself untradeable, and show her dad that he made the biggest mistake of his life, trading you in the first place. Then tell him about you and Mia.”

He shoves his mouthguard in and steps onto the ice, skating toward the rest of the team.

I feel a gloved hand land on my shoulder; the pain from the bruising is still there—a faint reminder of everything I’m still hiding.

“I know this might sound fucking weird, but I’m proud of you, man. Going after what you want. And for what it’s worth, Zach is dead right.”

“Thanks,” I reply, my throat growing thick.

Jensen tips his head at the ice. “Time to see the real Callaghan, starting now.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

MIA

By the time I get back to campus and walk toward my dorm building, it’s past ten in the morning. Tara generally sleeps in on the weekends, but if she’s up, there will definitely be questions for me and where I’ve been.

Suspicious Tara is the worst. When it comes to gossip, she’s like a dog with a bone.

But last night will be worth every single question and raised eyebrow. Last night was, without a doubt, the greatest night of my life.

The skip in my step only gets lighter at the thought that tonight, I get to do it all again with him.

Sharing a bed with Jessie is incredible, but just having time to spend alone, away from prying eyes, without fear of being caught, is all I’ve ever wished for—all we’ve ever wished for.

I’m not sure if it’s hit me yet—Jessie Callaghan is mine.My boyfriend.Even if we are a secret to the outside world, when we’re alone and inside four protective walls, we’re everything to each other.

He made the move I’d been desperate for him to make. He let down his walls when I asked—virtually pleaded with—him to show me his wounds.

He kissed me. He asked me to be his.

He promised me he wouldn’t walk away from us again.

And I believe him. I believe in us.

There’s still so much shit to work through—I know that. I’m not eighteen years old and surviving on the next time I’ll see him. For us to be permanent, I know Jessie needs to believe he’s everything I deserve.

“Mia?”

A gloomy mist has settled on Seattle this morning, and as I take a few more steps toward the entrance of my building, the orange-and-black cap I only know one person to wear stands out in the haze.

I should feel warmth wash over me as I take in my dad’s familiar face and broad stature. But I don’t. I guess that’s partly due to his unexpected visit, but mostly because of the confused scowl he wears.

“Dad?”

Fetching my keys out of my coat pocket, I scan my fob to enter the building and hold the door open for him to walk through.

“Early study session?” he asks, not bothering to tag on a greeting.

I haven’t seen him since I left for Seattle. The longest time we’ve ever been apart.