Page 15

Three Years Ago – March

Jordan

This game is fucked. We’re in the second period of this godforsaken game, and so far it’s been full of penalties and fights. One of the Vortices, Mitchell, has been harassing Olivia the entire game, and it’s getting on all our nerves.

The moment Mitchell trips Ash is when it all goes to shit. Ash drops his gloves so fast, none of us have time to get to them and break them up. Ash lands a few punches to Mitchell’s face, and while it’s deserved, it also means we’re going on a penalty kill.

Robbie and I have different shifts, so while he’s out there with another defensemen, I’m on the bench, contemplating what I could do better to help us out of this situation and get us back to winning the game.

I get the opportunity for a shift change with only twenty seconds left in the penalty kill.

I manage to snatch the puck away and attempt a breakaway, but Mitchell comes out of the box and heads towards me at full speed.

Retreating, I look around for someone to pass the puck to.

Ash is still in the penalty box for fighting, but I see Trip out of the corner of my eye.

I don’t get the chance to pass because Mitchell charges at me and I angle myself against the boards, hoping to dodge the check.

Except—it doesn’t come. A whistle blows and I look around confused. Where is Olivia?

Looking down where Mitchell is laying on the ice, I realize—he wasn’t charging at me.

There’s nothing worse than seeing someone unconscious on the ice. The fact that it’s Olivia makes this ten times worse. One moment she’s skating backwards and the next she’s checked so hard that her helmet flies off, her head hitting the ice.

Panic grips at me as I notice blood on the ice, but I drop my stick and gloves and move quickly. The whole arena is quiet, waiting with bated breath to see what’s happening.

“Get the team physician,” I tell Trip, pushing him towards the bench. I notice Robbie jumping over the wall and skating over, so I make quick work of lifting Mitchell off of Olivia.

“You fucking piece of shit,” I yell in his face, pushing him away from her. More players have come to surround Olivia, not letting the people see her current state. Fuck, I hope she’s okay.

The team physician comes over and we make room for him to assess her. When I turn around to look at the commotion behind me, I see Robbie pummeling the hell out of Mitchell. Shit.

“Hey, whoa, that’s enough,” Ash says, helping me get Robbie away.

“You need to calm down,” I say, using both my hands to hold him back.

“How the fuck am I supposed to calm down when she’s fucking bleeding and unconscious because of him?” Robbie exclaims, and my heart breaks for him.

The whole game gets delayed as a stretcher is brought out and Olivia is taken to the hospital, Robbie leaving the game to follow her.

“How much trouble do you think he’ll get in?” Ash asks me as we watch Robbie take off down the tunnel.

I blow out a breath. “A few suspensions, at least.”

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” he asks, blue eyes worried as he looks at me.

With a hand on his shoulder pads, I say, “Yeah, she’s a tough cookie, she’ll be just fine. I saw her talking as they rolled her out, so that’s a great sign.”

“Right,” Ash mumbles, looking over at Eli. Sometimes it’s like they communicate telepathically, and this look says All will be fine .

Alice

I think my heart stopped beating the whole time Olivia was down. I blink back my tears and take a few deep inhales, pulling out my phone and texting my brother.

Alice

Which hospital are they taking her to?

He doesn’t reply right away, which only heightens my anxiety. I leave the lower section of the arena and pace around the concourse area until my phone buzzes with a text.

Robbie

St. Mary’s.

I rush down the stairs and jog a few blocks away to the hospital, looking for the emergency room. A middle-aged nurse is the only person at the check in desk and I walk up to her, panting a little.

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow and narrows her eyes on me in what might be recognition.

“Hi, I’m looking for Olivia Wilson, she was brought over not too long ago. Am I in the right spot?” I ask, glancing down at her name tag that reads Janice.

“Let me guess, you’re her fiancée too?” she says with an amused expression.

“Pardon?” I ask, confused.

“Olivia is getting an MRI. Her fiancé is in there keeping her company and getting his hand checked out,” Janice says, looking at her computer. I frown but then realize Robbie must have told her he’s engaged to Olivia so they could let him in.

I smirk and tap the counter a few times.

Janice raises an eyebrow at me and I shake my head, smiling.

“That’s my future sister-in-law right there, take good care of her,” I say, and retreat to the waiting area.

Janice laughs and winks at me and I immediately feel better, knowing they’re both okay and looked after.

Hospital chairs, as I’ve found out over the years, are notoriously uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, I find a position that works best, pulling my knees up to my chin and resting my phone there.

I type a message to the rest of my family and the friends group chat with the hospital name and floor number and settle in, opening up an ebook to pass the time.

An hour later, my parents show up with Michael and Tangela in tow. My nieces are nowhere in sight and while I’m bummed because I haven’t seen them in a while, they probably shouldn’t be out this late at night anyway.

“Any news?” my mom asks, and I shake my head no.

“Robbie mentioned they’re waiting on some results and that for the most part she’s okay.”

“That’s good,” Mom says, squeezing my forearm. I pull her into a hug and smile to myself, wondering if I should tell her the whole “fiancé” bit. She’ll probably go ballistic and pester Robbie to actually propose soon, so I hold my tongue.

“I’m glad you could all come. I’m sure this will mean the world to Robbie,” I say, walking over to Michael where he sat down in a chair. Just to be a menace, I ruffle his hair like he used to do to me when I was a kid, and he playfully swats me away.

“Robbie will be just fine, it’s Olivia I’m worried about,” Mom says, tucking her silver-streaked blond hair behind her ears in a familiar gesture.

“Hey, did we miss anything?” a voice says from behind me, and I turn to see Ash and Eli standing shoulder to shoulder.

“No news yet, waiting on them to come out or for Robbie to text with updates.” I give each of the boys a hug.

“I brought them clothes,” Eli says, gesturing to the plastic bag he’s holding.

“Good, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. Where’s Jordan?”

“Parking.”

I nod and pace around the corridor, checking my phone to see if Robbie sent updates.

When I get back to the sitting room, Jordan is in one of the chairs, his back to me.

It takes everything in me not to rush over and hug him.

That game was brutal and I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy to see that hit up close.

I look down at the jersey I’m still wearing and bite my lip, making my way over and walking by him to take a seat. When our eyes connect, I can tell he’s affected by my choice in attire.

I’ve had his jersey for years, usually only wearing it to games when I know he won’t see me in it afterwards. But tonight, I dug it out and planned to surprise him at his apartment, wearing nothing but the jersey with number 20 on it. His jersey.

Jordan swallows hard, his nostrils flaring and eyes turning a dark shade of brown. If my entire family weren’t here, he’d probably maul me.

I listen to the chatter around me and pull out my phone, sneaking glances at Jordan.

He looks hot in his post-game attire, wearing a dark red button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and slacks that show off his muscular thighs.

His hands grab the arms of the chair and he flexes, knowing how much I like the muscles in his forearms.

Blushing, I peek at his face and find him smirking at me. Hot nerdy bastard. I focus on my phone instead and text him.

Alice

If you keep looking at me like that, you might give our secret away.

Jordan

If you keep wearing my jersey, I might bend you over right here in this waiting room.

Alice

Ooh, are you a bit of an exhibitionist?

The tips of Jordan’s ears turn pink, and he bites his lip as he contemplates a reply. I love flustering him, especially when it comes to sex.

Jordan

No. I just really, really like you wearing that damn jersey. I’d do anything to get my hands on you right now.

Alice

Are you getting hard just watching me?

I bring a hand to the collar of the jersey and play with the laces, crossing one leg over the other.

The material rides up my thigh and Jordan follows the movement with dark interest. I’ve never been this turned on in a public setting, but there’s just something about this man that makes me absolutely lose my mind.

Jordan fidgets in his seat and I notice him subtly adjusting himself and covering his crotch with his coat.

Alice

You are, aren’t you? Thinking of all the ways you could have me.

Jordan

Fuck, you’re torturing me.

Alice

Not yet, but I could be.

He groans loudly and every head in the silent waiting room turns towards him.

“You alright there, Jordie?” Ash asks with raised eyebrows.

“Fine,” Jordan mumbles, his cheeks pink from embarrassment. “And I told you to stop calling me that.”

Ash grins and winks at him. “Aw, but it fits you so well.” Jordan rolls his eyes and flips him off, but Ash just smiles wider and blows him a kiss.

Just as I’m about to send another text, I see Robbie coming out, his arm around Olivia. They stop by the front desk to check out, and we all make our way over to them, eager to make sure they’re okay.

“Olivia, honey, how are you?” mom asks, clutching at her necklace and looking her over in concern.

“Is your middle finger broken?” Ash asks Robbie with amusement on his face. I whip my head around to look at my brother’s hand, and he does in fact have a splint on his middle finger. I stifle a laugh and shake my head.

“Do you have a concussion?” I ask, bringing my focus back to Olivia, who is smiling at us with tears in her eyes.

“Guys, slow down,” Robbie says.

“Thank you all. I’m fine, but two of my ribs are broken and they’ll take about six weeks to fully heal. As for my head, I did get a few stitches, but the concussion is not severe.”

“Here, I brought you both some clothes,” Eli says, and hands them the bag. Robbie throws a hoodie on first and then helps Olivia with hers. I watch the two of them and tear up at how perfect they are together and how horribly wrong this night could have gone.

The rest of my family gives them hugs and heads home, the rest of the guys wanting to follow.

“Here, I need to use the restroom, so you guys can head to the car,” Jordan says, handing his car keys over to Ash.

“Thanks. Get well soon, all right? We’re gonna need you to keep us in check,” Ash says to Olivia, and pats her shoulder. Eli waves at us and the two of them head out.

“I will.” She chuckles, slumping further into Robbie. I can tell she’s getting tired.

“I’ll drive you both home and take the truck back to my place,” I offer, and Robbie smiles at me in gratitude.

As we wait for the elevator, I see Jordan heading out of the bathroom.

“I forgot, I need to use the restroom, why don’t you two head down first?” I tell them.

“Okay, we’ll see you down there,” my brother says.

As soon as the elevator doors close, I turn and sprint over to Jordan, jumping in his arms. He catches me easily and I wrap my legs around his waist, intertwining my fingers at the back of his neck and holding tight.

“I offered to drive them home, so I won’t be able to come by the apartment,” I pout, touching my nose to his.

Jordan’s arms tighten around me as he pulls me closer. He leaves featherlight kisses on my cheek and nose and says, “That’s okay, you’ll just have to wear that jersey another night.”

I chuckle and find his lips, capturing them with my own. He softly moans when I sink my teeth in his bottom lip. We kiss for longer than we should until we hear the nurse clearing her throat.

Jordan quickly sets me down and takes a big step back from me, flustered that we were being watched. I bite back my smile and say, “All right hotshot, another time then.”