Page 27 of Breakaway (Nashville Knights Hockey #3)
Chapter Twenty-Seven
DAX
Noah
Are you going to be okay tonight?
Dax
Why wouldn’t I be okay?
Graham
Because your douche of a brother is playing for Detroit now
I’ll be fine
Noah
Really?
Noah
I wouldn’t be
Graham
Noah would love to punch his face in
Noah
He cheated on my sister
Noah
He deserves it
And he cheated on Chloe
But if anyone gets to punch him, it’s me
Marcus
There will be no punching of anyone tonight
Bode
You’re no fun
Jasper
It’s not like the man doesn’t deserve it
Noah
I know
Noah
I said that
Jasper
Just confirming he does deserve it
Marcus
And I want to win
Marcus
We’re looking good and I don’t want anything to jeopardize our mentality this season
Graham
You got it, Cap
Noah
Ugh
Noah
I hate how easily you agreed with him
Graham
Usually you like it
Noah
Yeah, when it’s me
And we’re off topic now
Jasper
Not surprised
And on that note, I want to check on Chloe before we leave
Make sure she’s okay since Duncan will be there
Noah
You’re a better man than your brother ever was
Thanks, man
That means a lot
I set my phone down on the counter and scrub a hand down my face. I can’t believe Detroit picked up Duncan. Since Coach Andrews came onto the scene, he’s turned the team around. We’re no longer the perennial losers we used to be. The same can’t be said for Detroit.
Maybe that’s why they picked up Duncan. He’s a complete asshole off the ice, but on it?
I hate that no matter how well I play, I’m still in his shadow. Shouldn’t being a good person count for more? Although based on his interview, you’d think I was the terrible person.
Me and Chloe.
“You okay?”
Chloe’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
Standing in my kitchen with her hair piled on top of her head and face free of all makeup, she’s never looked more beautiful to me.
“Worried about you.”
“Me? Why?”
She hops up onto the counter next to me. A pen is twisted through her hair, holding it in place. I got a quick workout in while she was working on some new designs this morning.
“I don’t want you having to run into Duncan again.”
“Yeah.” She lets out a long-suffering sigh. “I know.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
“It’s not like I’ll have to see him tonight, right?”
“No.” I push her legs apart and step between them, pulling her closer to me. “You can stay with Stevie and Harper in the family suite and head out right after. I can see you back?—”
She slaps her hand over my mouth. “I can come see you after the game. It’s not like I’ll be hanging around down by the visitors’ locker room.”
“You sure?” I mumble against her fingers.
“Yes.”
I tug her hand away and press a kiss to her palm. “I know, but I don’t want you to have to deal with him again.”
“Will you be okay?” Chloe asks. “You’re the one that has to play against him.”
“As long as he keeps his mouth shut, I should be fine.”
Chloe waves her hand out in front of her. “So like fifty-fifty chance then.”
“God, why is he such a dick? I mean really, what does he have to gain?”
“You’re asking the wrong person. I don’t know how the two of you are related.”
“You’re telling me. ”
“Look.” Chloe wraps her arms around my shoulders. “Tonight will be fine. You’ll ignore your brother, I’ll stay with the girls so I don’t run into your parents, and hopefully you won’t catch any more flack about his damn interview.”
I roll my eyes. “Poor Duncan, not being able to recover from you leaving him at the altar.”
“I shouldn’t laugh, but he really is the worst.” Chloe hides her laughter in my neck. “Do you think you could get in some hits to him tonight? Nothing to get in the sin bin, but some cheap shots would be great.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Chloe cups my cheeks, giving me a long, slow, sweet kiss. “I love you, Dax. Have I told you that lately?”
I smile against her lips. “Not since this morning.”
“Well, I do. More than I ever thought I could love anyone.”
“Yeah?”
She nods. “Yes. You’re it for me, Dax. Just you.”
I breathe her in. The faint tinny smell of jewelry making on her that never seems to go away with her citrus perfume. It’s uniquely Chloe. Something that will always remind me of her.
My Chloe. My bright, shining light that brings more to my life than anyone else.
“Ditto.”
Her laugh breaks the tension. “Ditto. I can’t with you, Dax.”
“It’s a good thing you love me.” I peck her nose. “At least half as much as I love you.”
“Maybe even three-quarters.”
“I’ll take it.”
Because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to quantify how much I love this woman. There aren’t enough words in the English language. They haven’t been discovered yet.
Whatever it takes to protect Chloe, to make her happy, to show her I love her day in and day out, I’ll do it. Because she’s worth it.
And after what Duncan did to her, I will make sure she knows it every day.