Page 107 of Total Shutdown

His soft green eyes take me in, and I relax into his body.

“Neither of those problems are actually problems—you know that, right?”

“They are if I don’t make rent in two weeks. I could also do with a fairy godmother to magic me a job if possible.”

He tucks a lock of stray hair behind my ear. I’m confident it still has oil in it from work earlier. “How much do you need?”

“I don’t want to take your money. I can work this out myself,” I reply. “It’s my mess to clean up.”

He leans down, resting his chin on top of my head.

We’re still standing by my front door, having not moved an inch since he wrapped his arms around me.

“No, it isn’t. He couldn’t get past his bruised ego, even for the best member of his staff. I’m so damn proud of you for walking out and knowing your worth.” He lifts his head and hooks a finger under my chin. “It’s too soon for you to move into my place, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I whisper back. “I don’t want to give up my garage and?—”

He presses a finger to my lips, smiling. “I know, Baby Girl, and I get it. You like your life and place. So, let me take care of you and pay for the rent.”

I’m ready to protest, but he presses his finger a little harder, hushing me.

“I don’t want any arguments; this is a non-negotiable for me. Let me take the pressure off and help out while you find another job.”

“I-I don’t even know what to say.”

He cups my head in his huge palms, dropping his lips down to mine. “You don’t need to say anything. You’re my world, and I’m here to protect you.” He blows out a long breath, closing his eyes gently. “Now, show me this bedroom of yours because I’ve been dying to see what it looks like. Plus, I could use the distraction, so I don’t climb back in my truck and beat the shit out of Cuntface Cameron.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE

COLLINS

“Remember when Collins was sitting in that very seat, claiming number twenty-nine wasn’t her type?” Jenna looks at Kendra as we sit in the family box, watching the Blades crush the Carolina Chiefs.

“I do indeed, Jenna.” Kendra taps her chin in thought, mocking me. “I distinctly remember her claiming she’d learned all about Sawyer being a single dad from a magazine interview he had given.” She narrows her eyes in my direction. “Do you recall that bullshit tale, Collins?”

I roll my eyes and pop a red jelly bean into my mouth. I do, in fact, recall what I said, and it was, in fact, bullshit. Last season and not all that long after I met Sawyer for the first time, I found myself running a Google search on him, keen to find out more about the Blades captain who had effectively offered me a booty call.

It seems crazy to me to think how long I suppressed my feelings and attraction toward him.

“And now she’s wearing his jersey withBrycestamped across her back, and she’s likely thinking about how much she loves him,” Darcy joins in, giggling with the other two.

I pop another jelly bean into my mouth. “Remind me, when is your flight back to London?”

Darcy snorts softly, releasing a forlorn sigh. “Tomorrow morning. Then it’s the final countdown before I’m back and moving into my new apartment!”

Kendra imitates a chef’s kiss.

“It’s so pretty, and I’m so glad I found something in the end,” Darcy continues. “I just want to move in now and leave Oxford behind. I’ve had enough of boring British weather and crappy exes.”

“Is Liam still giving you shit?” I ask, annoyed on Darcy’s behalf.

“Yep. Apparently, he’s started seeing the girl he cheated on me with, but who knows? Half the time, I think he just says things for effect and to try and make me jealous.”

Kendra grumbles, holding out her tray of corn chips for Darcy to take one. “You should tell Jack what he’s doing. He has experience dealing with toxic exes.”

She isn’t lying; Kendra’s ex-boyfriend, Tyler, can vouch for that.

“Jack is already way too protective, and I’m going to need him to cool it when I move stateside. I’m a big girl, and I can look after myself,” Darcy confirms, eyes drifting out onto the ice. “When he found out about Liam cheating, he DM’d him a dick emoji.”