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CHAPTER SEVEN
Ally
I sit in the cramped bathroom stall, my heart pounding like I just ran a marathon.
The sound of muffled laughter and music seeps through the walls, but it does nothing to drown out the rush of thoughts spinning in my head.
I can’t believe I let that happen.
But that kiss wasn’t just a kiss, it was something else entirely. And I didn’t want it to stop.
That’s the part that terrifies me the most.
I press my fingertips against my lips, still tingling.
A tiny, traitorous part of me wonders what would’ve happened if I hadn’t panicked and bolted. But then my stomach churns at the thought of walking back out there and facing all three of them, Tyler, Nick, and Brooks.
How could I possibly look them in the eye now?
The bathroom feels like a safe cocoon, but I know I can’t stay here forever. It’s only a matter of time before one of them comes looking for me.
I take a deep breath, trying to summon the courage to leave, but I’m too mortified to face them right now.
After what feels like an eternity, I finally gather enough nerve to slip out of the stall.
My reflection in the mirror stops me for a moment. I straighten my shoulders, smooth my hair back into place, and make a beeline for the door.
The noise of the bar hits me again as I step into the crowded space. I keep my head low, scanning for the guys, but I don’t see them where I left them. Perfect.
Keeping close to the wall, I weave my way around the tables and make for the exit. The cold air smacks me in the face as soon as I step outside, and I shiver, pulling my jacket tighter around me.
The parking lot is dimly lit, and I quickly head toward my car. Guilt creeps in as I realize I left without paying my check, but then I huff in annoyance.
Tyler can pay for it.
After all, he’s the reason I had to leave in the first place.
The kiss with Tyler plays over and over in my mind, each replay tightening the knot in my stomach.
It was good.
No, it was amazing .
His lips were warm, his touch confident but not overwhelming, and for a brief moment, I felt myself leaning into it, wanting more.
But then reality hit me like a slap.
I’m still a virgin.
The thought makes my chest tighten.
I’ve carried that fact like a secret burden, one that feels heavier with every year that passes. It’s not like I haven’t wanted to cross that line, it’s just…complicated.
There’s this mental pressure, this nagging feeling that it has to mean something, that it has to be with the right person.
I stare at the ground, watching my breath fog in the cold air.
Most women my age wouldn’t give that kiss a second thought. It would be fun, fleeting, nothing more. But for me, it’s one of the most intimate experiences I’ve ever had, and it leaves me feeling exposed, vulnerable, and completely out of my depth.
I take a few steps, the gravel crunching softly under my boots, and tilt my head back to look at the sky. It’s clear tonight, the stars scattered across the dark expanse like tiny pinpricks of light.
I need to focus on work. That’s the whole reason I’m here, to build my career, not to get tangled up in complicated feelings for one of my patients.
Dating someone on the team would be a disaster. It would cross every professional boundary imaginable, and it would put my job, my reputation, and my future at risk.
Still, I can’t stop thinking about Tyler.
His smile, his charm, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the room.
I shake my head, trying to clear away these thoughts. No. I can’t go down that road.
I need to set boundaries now, or I’ll never get through this. There are plenty of other people in this city I could date, people who aren’t connected to my work.
Heck, the bartender already hit on me tonight. Tyler isn’t the only guy in Minneapolis.
The sound of my car chiming in the distance pulls me from my thoughts, and I realize I’ve unconsciously pressed the button on my key fob. I exhale, watching my breath curl in the air, and start walking toward the car.
I’m standing near my car, trying to pull myself together when I hear footsteps crunching on the gravel behind me.
I turn and see the twins approaching, Tyler leading the way, his expression a mix of guilt and concern.
“Ally,” he says, his voice softer than I expected. “I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
I cross my arms over my chest, trying to steady my voice. “It’s fine,” I reply quickly. “I’m fine.”
But I’m not.
My cheeks are still warm, and my stomach feels like it’s full of knots.
The kiss wasn’t bad. It was incredible, actually, but I can’t let myself get swept up in it.
Nick hovers a few steps behind his brother, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. He gives me a small, sheepish smile, clearly unsure of what to say.
Tyler rubs the back of his neck, his usual cocky confidence nowhere in sight. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. Really.”
“I appreciate it,” I say, my tone gentler now. “But I think I’m just going to head home.”
“Are you sure?” Nick asks, stepping closer. “We can make it up to you. Another round? Non-alcoholic, maybe?”
I shake my head, forcing a smile. “No, thanks. I just need to call it a night.”
Before I can slip into my car, Brooks appears, stepping out of the bar with his jacket slung over one shoulder. He walks over, his brow furrowed.
“You’re not driving home,” he says flatly, his gaze sharp as it lands on me.
I blink, taken aback. “I’m fine, Brooks.”
“You’ve been drinking,” he points out, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Call an Uber.”
I sigh, shaking my head. “I’m fine, really.”
Brooks crosses his arms, his stance unyielding. “You’re not leaving here unless someone drives you or you take a ride share.”
I huff, trying not to let my frustration show. “Brooks, I appreciate the concern, but I’m perfectly capable of driving myself home.”
The twins exchange a look.
“Fine,” Brooks says eventually, his tone reluctant. “But text me when you get home. I want to know you made it safe.”
He holds out his hand and I stare at it stupidly for a moment. Then I realize that he wants me to give my phone to him so he can put his number into it.
“Oh…here,” I say awkwardly, handing him the device.
With a frown on his face, he uses his big fingers to add his contact information to my phone, then passes it back. It looks small in his big, strong hands.
I slide into my car. “I’ll text. I promise.”
He steps back, watching as I start the engine, his arms still crossed like he’s guarding the parking lot.
As I pull out of the lot, I glance in the rearview mirror. Brooks is standing near the twins, his hands moving as he gestures sharply at them.
Even from this distance, I can tell he’s laying into them, his scowl deepening with each word.
Tyler rubs the back of his neck, looking like a scolded teenager, while Nick just shrugs, clearly less bothered.
A small smile tugs at my lips despite myself. As frustrating as tonight was, there’s something endearing about the way Brooks takes on the role of the reluctant big brother to the twins.
I sigh as I turn onto the main road, the city lights stretching out before me. I wish I didn’t like them so much. Tyler’s charm, Nick’s dry humor, even Brooks’ gruff protectiveness, they’re all dangerous in their own ways.
But it doesn’t matter.
I didn’t come home to get tangled up in messy feelings or risky decisions. I came home to start my professional life, to be close to my dad, and to prove to myself that I can succeed.
Dating hockey players, especially ones on my team, is not part of the plan.
The drive back to my apartment is quiet, the city skyline a constant presence in the distance. The towering buildings glow against the dark sky, their lights reflecting off the Mississippi River as I cross the bridge. It’s a view I’ve missed, one that reminds me why I came back.
But tonight, the city feels different.
My nerves buzz as I think about walking into the rink tomorrow.
What will it be like? Will Tyler act like nothing happened? Will Nick say something that makes it worse?
And then there’s Brooks. His reaction tonight was…unexpected.
I know he was just looking out for me, but there was something about the way he insisted on making sure I was okay that stuck with me.
I can’t afford to let tonight define my time here. Tomorrow is a new day, and I need to focus on what’s important: my job.
Still, a tiny part of me wonders what would have happened if Tyler had decided to push things further.
Would I have had the strength to stop him? Or would I have let myself fall even deeper into something I knew I shouldn’t allow to happen?
The sound of my turn signal clicks rhythmically as I pull onto my street, the familiar sight of my apartment building coming into view.
I text to the number that Brooks entered into my phone as soon as I park my car.
Home
My phone dings right away.
Good.
I look at the screen for a moment, hoping he might say something else, although I don’t know what.
When the little typing bubbles don’t show up again, I sigh and climb out of my car.
Taking a deep breath, I remind myself: one day at a time.