Page 30 of Breaking Point (IceHawks #1)
Grayson
HUDSON MITCHEL
a birdie told me Grayson’s girlfriend is in the stands tonight. Is that true?
THEO IRVING
NO SHIT!!!
Cap, please tell me we can meet her
JACK LEWIS
yeah, I want to meet the woman responsible for pussy whipping you
LOGAN JOHNSON
shut up, Lewis
JACK LEWIS
he’s been singing Taylor Swift in the shower
LOGAN JOHNSON
you also sing Taylor Swift in the shower
JACK LEWIS
exactly, it’s how I know he’s a fake Swiftie
ASHER O’CONNOR
is there such a thing as a fake Swiftie?
THEO IRVING
no, Lewis just wants to be a pick-me and be unique for the puck bunnies
GRAYSON
Don’t scare Bella off. And who the hell told you she was coming tonight?
MATTEO VALENTI
OOOHH, Bella?
*Twilight meme*
this is the skin of a killer, Bella
THEO IRVING
BAHAHAH
GRAYSON
screw you guys
HUDSON MITCHEL
you love us
GRAYSON
yeah I do, so don’t annoy her
T hat was the best I’ve played since Drew passed away, and I’m aware enough to acknowledge that the cause for my sudden improvement was the woman in the stands named Bella.
Just seeing her sitting behind the bench, her cheeks and nose pink from the cold of the arena and a carefree smile on her face, was enough to push me to want greatness.
I wasn’t the only one to think so.
Coach clapped me on the back after the game and said, “Welcome back.” His praise means everything to me.
I haven’t smiled like this in over a year and it’s all because of her . We might be lying to those around us, the relationship might be fake, but to me…
To me, it feels entirely different.
Stepping into O’Malley’s bar that we frequent after home games, my eyes roam the packed place, seeking Bella. With red booth seats and TVs hanging on the walls showcasing the highlights of tonight’s game, the atmosphere is charged. The patrons are already swaying, their eyes glassy .
Something sharp and quick stabs my chest, a longing that never used to be there with alcohol. It used to just be something fun, something to sip on as I spoke with the guys. It never used to be a crutch.
Never used to be something I yearn for.
It’s hard to accept that when I smell alcohol now, it makes my mouth salivate. In all the AA meetings I’ve gone to the conclusion I’ve gathered is that the craving to drink never truly fades. It might be dull some days but it’s always there, nudging you to numb your sorrows.
Kieran comes up beside me, throwing his arm over my shoulder. “You good?”
It’s the first time I’ve been in a bar since Kieran poured all my liquor down the drain.
I nod, though I don’t tell him my mouth is watering.
His eyes are zeroing in on a group of puck bunnies who have positioned themselves at the front of the bar.
Their eyes are hungry as the rest of the team makes their way inside.
Pasting on a smile despite the tightness in my chest, I lift my chin, indicating the women who are practically drooling over him. “I’m fine, go do your thing.”
Kieran pauses, his eyes narrowing.
He always sees too much.
O’Connor is the last to trickle in, making a beeline for a red booth at the back that Cindy sits in. Despite seeing the pair getting along during the game, I don’t spot Bella.
Lowering my head to his ear, I admit, “I’m going to find Bella.”
Kieran gazes at me for a beat before the tension he was holding finally seeps out of his shoulders. “Text me if you need me, and remember what’s at stake.” He steps forward, only to spin on his heel and whisper, “Drew would be proud of you.”
My eyes flick to Kieran’s. I’ve known him for so long that it’s easy to clock his sincerity. Before he can say more, I clear the emotion rising in my throat and turn, moving through the bar to find Bella.
On my way here, all I could think about was seeing Bella. I didn’t think that narrow-minded focus could grow but here I am, my hands fisting at my sides as a hum of nervousness overtakes me.
Making my way to the back where O’Connor, Cindy, Ellington, and Valenti are sitting, I pause, leaning over to ask Cindy, “Did Bella go home?”
She shakes her head. “She’s at the bar getting us drinks!”
I frown. “Why is she getting the guys drinks?”
She rolls her eyes, leaning further into O’Connor. “Not them. It’s for her and me.” She scoffs. “I’d never cover your guys’ drinks. No offense, but have you seen the difference in our bank accounts?”
Valenti, sitting across the booth, throws a rolled-up napkin at her head. “I’m gutted you won’t cover me, C. Truly gutted.”
“Go cry into your pile of millions,” Cindy retorts.
Turning away as they all begin to bicker, I ignore the leering eyes of not only women but men who are fans and are no doubt dying to ask questions about tonight’s game or get a photograph. I usually would, but not now. I just need to find?—
A breath I didn’t realize I had been holding whooshes from my chest as I spot Bella at the far end of the bar, her hands clutching two glasses of white wine.
Warmth flows through me again, the tension in my body loosening at the sight of her.
Until I see the adamant shake of her head, the wide eyes, and the disgust that comes over her features as she says no.
That’s when I notice the drunk guy next to her, wrapping his disgusting meaty hands around her wrist and pulling her into him despite her saying no again and shaking her head. I don’t need to see more before I’m livid.
Blood roars in my ears, everyone in the crowded bar disappearing. I’m beside her in a heartbeat, just as she hisses, “Stop! You’re hurting me!”
I place both my palms on his chest and push with all my might, sending the dick tumbling.
“Get the fuck off her!” I growl. “No means fucking no . Are you daft? Do you need to go back to school?”
Bella’s intake of air behind me and the small hands I feel on my back do nothing to settle the simmering rage pulsing through my body. He kept touching her, crowding her personal space. She said no for fuck’s sake.
The guy’s eyes widen, not out of fear, I realize with disgust, but awe. “Crawford! Good game, man,” he slurs.
Shoving him away, I don’t bother to deign him with a response. I simply lift my gaze to Luke, the security guard in the corner who has already clocked us. As soon as I give him a toss of my head, he’s beside us, wrapping his hand around the drunk’s arm.
“Let’s go, pal, you’ve had enough.”
He’s so drunk he barely kicks up a fuss. His red glazed eyes remain glued on mine as Luke drags him through and out the bar. If people weren’t looking before, they certainly are now.
My chest is heaving as I spin, ignoring the sets of eyes on my back. The first thing I see is the red mark on her wrist. “Are you okay?”
Gently picking it up, I turn it this way and that, inspecting it even as she huffs, “Thank you for that.”
“Not something that needs to be thanked. I’m surprised no one else stepped in.” I say this with a pointed glare to the men around her, who conveniently advert their gazes to the TV above their heads, which is ironically playing my highlights from tonight.
First game of the season and we won. Three to one.
None of that matters, though. Not in this moment.
Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I tuck her into my side, loving the feel of her body as it melts perfectly against mine as I steer her back toward the booth with everyone.
Cindy’s eyes are wide as we finally part through the crowd. “Jesus, Bella, are you all right?” Her hand is on her chest. “I’m so sorry, I should have come with you!”
“So we could have both been cornered? It’s okay, you didn’t know, and it didn’t go too far.”
Cindy shakes her head with disgust, and I realize the guys all have mirroring looks of it as well. Sliding into the booth, as if it’s second nature, my arm instinctively wraps around her, pulling her body closer so it’s nestled into mine .
And so help me God, when she scoots in closer I can’t help it, I do what I’ve been craving to do since the moment we sat next to each other in my kitchen and I smelled her perfume.
After all, I warned her that I love affection. This is all part of the deal.
Turning my head to the side, I bury my face in the crook of her neck and inhale, greedy as I drink in the scent of her before I force myself to pull away.
But not before I plant a gentle kiss against her temple.
Bella’s chest rises and falls faster with every passing second and I note her hands are shaking as she slides the glass of wine Cindy’s way.
Are her hands shaking from the drunk guy at the bar or because I kissed her temple?
I feel like punching myself. Did I seriously just do that after what happened? I’m just as bad as the guy at the bar.
Stupid, so fucking selfishly stupid.
I begin to slide away, to give her distance. Fuck the agreement we made, she needs to not feel so cornered by men?—
I stop as Bella slides her hand onto my thigh and squeezes.
My breath hitches.
I remain frozen until she scoots closer to me. I can’t help it, my brows rise in shock. It takes considerable effort to pull my mind away from her and focus on who’s speaking. Part of me hates that she’s meeting some of the guys this frazzled; they’re like a dog with a bone.
“Fuck that guy, he’s always getting kicked out,” O’Connor states, leaning past Cindy to shake Bella’s hand. “I’m Asher. Thanks for keeping her company tonight.”
Cindy rolls her eyes as she takes a sip of wine.
Bella smiles softly. “I’m pretty sure it was the other way around but good luck getting rid of us now.”
Cindy winks. “Yeah, Grayson. You and Kieran aren’t the only devil pair in the league.”
I laugh at that, the tension in my chest and the adrenaline coursing through my body from earlier fading as Bella nestles further into my warmth .
Bella’s just doing what you told her to do , a small voice in my mind reminds me as my heart gallops at her affection. Fuck me. Who would have thought I’d ever have to remind myself a beautiful girl’s touch was fake because I’m paying her?