Page 107 of Hold Me Tight

If I wasn’t already terrified of how deep I’ve fallen for River, I am now. There’s a different kind of torture in watching someone you love become the target of a man you once trusted.

A man you once thought you’d build a life with.

Nora tugs at my leg. “Uppy, Mama.”

I blink out of the trance that has fallen over me, and lift her into my arms, holding her tight before resting my cheek against her curls as the game halts for a commercial break.

“Look, Nora! You’re on the Jumbotron!” Rina exclaims from beside me.

My head jerks up, and sure enough, the massive screen above center ice is lit up with an image of me and Nora in our matching jerseys, framed in the muted glow of the suite. River’s number is impossible to miss on our sleeves in bold white.

The announcer’s voice booms through the arena. “Looks like number twenty-three has his own fan club in the house tonight! Check out those matching jerseys. Talk about too cute to handle!”

The crowd cheers and laughs. Nora squeals in delight, her small hands waving to the sea of strangers.

Lilah, Willow, and Rina grin, clearly loving every second of this. Even Evelyn chuckles from behind the rim of her wineglass.

I remain frozen, somehow managing a small, awkward wave before my gaze drops to the ice and I find River staring up at the screen with a smile.

No, not just a smile.

He’s beaming, as if he’s proud we’re here and wants the whole arena to see us.

The screen fades to something else, and the noise around us dips back to normal.

On legs that shake, I sink onto my seat, arms still wrapped around Nora.

Rina leans over, her hand covering mine. “Don’t look so panicked,” she says. “That man is smitten. Anyone with eyes can see it.”

I force a shaky exhale, but the tension inside me refuses to ease.

Whatever River and I are doing is now out there for public consumption.

My gaze drifts to my ex, and the expression on his face says it all. If he was irritated before, it’s nothing compared to the storm brewing there now. Instead of shrinking away from it, fire simmers in my veins.

He moved on in the blink of an eye. And the man certainly hasn’t shied away from parading his new life in front of me. How dare he act like a spoiled child because I’m finally doing the same.

I lift my chin, meeting his glare head-on.

Let him be angry.

I’m done allowing him to control the narrative.

38

River

I barely register the door to the locker room slamming shut behind me with a metallic clang that echoes through the large space. My blood is still running hot, adrenaline pulsing through every vein like wildfire.

My jaw throbs from where Zane slammed me into the boards. My ribs burn with every inhale. But none of that pain touches the warmth flooding me at the image of Callie and Nora wearing my jersey. It’s one I’ll carry for far longer than any bruise Zane leaves on my body.

He’s standing in front of his locker, peeling off his gear at a maddeningly slow pace, like he’s trying to wait me out.

As if he knows I’m coming.

Well, guess what?

He’s right about that.