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It shouldn’t surprise me that Jackson has resumed our relationship as if nothing occurred, caressing my baby bump and planting gentle kisses on my neck while I struggle to keep my walls up.
“I got some bad news.” Ethan rakes his fingers through his thick, wavy hair. “The league made their decision. Twenty. Games.”
“Holy fuck. What happened to four games for first-time offenders?”
Ethan gives him a pointed stare. “You know very well this isn’t your first offense.”
Jax waves him off. “Firstofficialoffense. The board knows no different.”
“They do. People talk, and you don’t have…” Ethan trails off.
“The protection of my father?” Jackson finishes with an arched brow.
“Or,” I cut in, “Kyle is in their ear, and he’s pressing you.”
Clenching and unclenching his jaw, Jax nods in contemplation. “Twenty games is a killer for the team.”
“Kyle did tell me to enjoy my last season.” Ethan rolls his lips. “A disastrous first year is sure to put me on the chopping block.”
The three of us fall silent, and I hang my head. If this suspension hurts the team and Ethan, Jackson will break. He’ll give in to Kyle and return to LA, promising things won’t change between us, then grow cold. It happens every time. Kyle always finds a way to get what he wants.
Waves of nausea churn my stomach. My cheeks warm, and my eyes well up.
I twirl the frayed edge of my sweatshirt and focus on taking deep, slow breaths. Collecting myself, I swallow the lump in my throat and blink away the tears. My gaze lands on Jackson’s hand cradling my abdomen, fixating on the tattoo on his ring finger.
Daylight.
I trace the words, the ink still raised and fresh.
Rough stubble grazes my cheek before the raspy sound of his voice fills my ear.
“I love you. I love you. I love you,” he repeats until I glance up, his brilliant green eyes mirroring my torment. “You’re my daylight. Always. I’ll fix this.”
Yeah, that’s precisely what I’m worried about, but before I can express my concerns, he turns to Ethan. “You want me to negotiate with Kyle? Get him to talk to the board?”
Ethan recoils. “Fuck, no. I have a plan. I’m appealing, meeting with the president, and even if he won’t reduce your suspension, I can coach.” He smirks, full of confidence that borders on arrogance.
I can’t stop the chuckle that bubbles up. “You definitely have a knack for being assertive and achieving your goals.”
That smug smile spreads into a knowing grin. “I always get what I want. Remember that.”
They discuss the appeal and other hockey nonsense, and I rest against Jackson’s chest, my eyelids growing heavy, this baby urging me for a nap.
Jax clears his throat, jolting me from my sleepy state. “Since we’re all together, I’d like to chat about the bodyguard. I propose we get rid of him. He’s not needed while I’m here, and I’ll be here a while.”
The lighthearted mood crumbles, and I turn sharply to face him. “Where the hell is this coming from?” I shake my head. “No.”
Green eyes narrow, full of baseless suspicion. “Why?”
“You’ve been here for a whole five minutes. I’m not tossing my friend aside because you’ve returned.”
Ricky was here for me when no one else was, and call me crazy, but I don’t trust Jax yet, not while Kyle is putting pressure on him.
“You tossed Emily out without a problem.”
“When my bodyguard stares at your dick, then we’ll talk.”
“Aurora, watch the attitude,” Ethan interrupts.