Page 22 of Make Me Yours (Chicago Railers Hockey #1)

STEELE

T he doc clears me to return to light practice tomorrow, but not before shining a penlight in my eyes one last time. I’m still a little foggy, but the throbbing in my skull has dulled from the relentless jackhammer it was last night.

Once out of the medical suite, I stretch my shoulders, trying to roll out the tension still coiled tight in my muscles. The scent of floor wax and fresh sweat hangs in the air. It’s comforting in a weird, twisted way.

Kind of like home.

“Hey,” a familiar voice calls out.

I glance up and spot River walking down the corridor, dressed in a Railers tee and mesh shorts, a water bottle tucked casually under one arm. His hair’s a little damp, like he just worked out.

“How’re you feeling after that hit last night?”

“Better,” I say with a crooked grin. “Doc says I can skate again tomorrow if I take it easy.”

He gives me a once-over. “You actually gonna listen?”

“Absolutely not.”

River snorts. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. ”

We fall into step, heading toward the locker room, our conversation easy and light.

River’s one of the few guys on the team I’ve always clicked with.

Low drama, sharp wit, and lately, a lot more focused on what’s important.

He’s dialed in now in a way he wasn’t a couple seasons ago. He used to be more of a wildcard.

It’s nice to see.

We’re halfway down the corridor when someone calls out, “Yo, Thompson!”

We both glance over our shoulders to find Zane Holloway jogging to catch up, all swagger and designer everything. His oversized Versace sunglasses are perched on top of his head, and a Gucci duffel bag swings from one shoulder, completing the look.

“Jesus,” River mutters. “Could the dude be any more flamboyant?”

“Doubtful.”

Zane catches up and claps a hand against River’s back. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you. What’s going on? You ignoring my calls now?”

River shrugs him off. “Sorry, I was working out. You should try it sometime.”

Zane chuckles. “Please. Who has time for that when Gigi’s in the middle of filming? I’m gonna be all over the new season. She’s talking to her agent about a spin-off. A whole show built around us. You know how dope that’ll be?”

River shoots me a look like he’s begging me to drag him out of this conversation.

“Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out,” he says flatly.

“Damn right, I do.” Zane taps the side of his head. “Gotta stay three steps ahead, baby.”

He finally acknowledges me with a chin lift. “Hey, Cap. Feeling better? Couldn’t believe they had to carry you out on a stretcher. That was rough, man. Low-key embarrassing. ”

I keep my tone neutral, even though my knuckles twitch. “I’m fine, thanks for asking.”

Zane turns his attention back to River. “You still dragging ass, or are you finally coming out with us next weekend? Gigi’s got a friend. She’s a model, twenty-two, barely speaks English. You don’t need conversation, right?”

“Hard pass,” River says without blinking.

“Man, when did you get so boring? You used to be a good time.”

“I don’t know,” River says dryly. “Maybe when I started giving a shit about the right things.”

Zane barks out a laugh. “I am focused on the right things. Money, exposure, and banging ten-out-of-tens. Tell me, what’s more important than that?”

River’s jaw tightens. “Have you checked in on Callie lately? Or seen Nora?”

Zane waves him off like he’s being asked about the weather.

“Callie’s good. She’s solid. Honestly, if I had to knock someone up, I picked the right girl.

She can handle it. The last thing she needs is for me to hover.

” He shrugs like it’s no big deal. Like fatherhood is something that happened to him, not something he should take responsibility for.

“And she’ll be working that charity thing on Thursday,” he adds with a straight face.

“I’ll check in then. She can meet Gigi in person. ”

River’s jaw tics. “Yeah, I’m sure Callie will love that.”

Either Zane doesn’t catch the sarcasm or he just doesn’t care. “Probably. Maybe Gigi’ll give her an autograph or something.”

My gaze shifts to River. His whole posture has changed. His shoulders are drawn and his arms are crossed as tension rolls off him in heavy waves.

“You’re a real dick,” River says, voice calm but cutting.

Zane just grins like it’s a compliment. “Come on, man. Don’t be so fucking serious.”

When his phone buzzes, he glances at the screen before answering with a grin. “Hey, babe. Yeah, I’m on my way. They’re filming already? Perfect.”

He ends the call and slips his phone into his back pocket before slapping River on the shoulder like they’re still bros. “Catch you losers later.”

We watch him stroll off like he didn’t just insult the mother of his child and brag about his airtime without missing a beat.

River’s jaw clenches again. “Was he always that big of a douche?”

“Yup,” I say on an exhale. “Although, it used to be less obvious.”

River doesn’t say anything for a moment. Just stares down the hallway where Zane disappeared, like he’s fighting the urge to go after him and unload everything he’s been holding back.

“I really fucking hate how he treats Callie,” he mutters.

I nod. “I know. She deserves better.”

He doesn’t respond, but then again, he doesn’t need to.

Both his thoughts and feelings are written clearly across his face.

It’s only a matter of time before he acts on them.