Page 15 of Power Play (Titans Hockey #2)

Chapter twelve

Lacey

I 'm living in my own personal version of Hell.

We're back in North Carolina, but Tracey has gathered every available team member to the ice for a TikTok idea she has.

Things have been going great with Scott and Ben. They send me heated glances that make me blush whenever they don't think anyone is watching but haven't made a move past that.

I've been keeping my head down, focusing on the players and my job.

I knew going into sports physical therapy that it's a male-dominated field in a male-dominated industry.

I have to work twice as hard as a male physical therapist to earn even half the respect.

And I don't mind at all. I absolutely love this job and am eager to prove my worth.

In a year or two, when I've earned the team and coaching staff's respect and trust, I can think about letting off the gas. But for now, I've only been here a week and I'm just getting started.

Back to my personal version of Hell.

Tracey’s latest ‘brilliant’ idea has me recording on her phone while she turns practice into a circus. The boys, in full gear and skates, pass her around to see how far they can get before someone drops her.

Tracey's over-the-top giggles and laughter as Ryan hands her to Alt causes my molars to clench.

She's squirming and not making it easy for the guys.

Ryan and Alt are smiling broadly, looking down at her like she's the cutest thing they've ever seen.

That's not what has acid churning hot in my gut, though .

It's when Alt goes to hand her off to Ben, she manages to position herself to wrap her legs around his waist and her hands go to the back of his neck.

Ben frowns down on her in shock before his eyes raise to find mine and a world of conversation happens between us in just a look.

He's uncomfortable. He doesn't want to hold her. And he's angry on my behalf.

He shuffles a few strides to Jonesy, eager to get her off of him.

"Is he the reason you only do one night?

" Scott’s voice is low, his breath warm against my ear, a quiet ripple in the chaos around us.

I jump a little. I hadn't heard him come up behind me, but now that I'm not distracted watching my sister dry hump my ex, I can sense his presence.

He's standing only a few inches behind me, pretending to watch the scene through the phone.

"No?" I whisper back.

His low chuckle eases some of the burning in my stomach. "You're a shit liar, Lacey."

The low gravel he adds to his voice when he says my name sends a full body shiver up my spine. I can feel his smile of satisfaction at my reaction.

"Am I that obvious?"

"It's one of the reasons I like you so much."

I freeze, heat rushing to my face. He’s not supposed to like me at all. One night. That’s all it was supposed to be. So why did the thought of him wanting more send my heart racing? Is he breaking my one-night rule? Does he want more? Do I want more? Would I give him more?

My shoulders droop. In another lifetime, I absolutely would. I'm sure it would only ever have been a sexual relationship. He seems like he's not very interested in the whole dating/marriage/opening his heart thing. But man, a fuck buddies situation with him would have been amazing.

No. I determine it was an off-the-cuff response. No one likes liars. He doesn't like me like that. He doesn't want more.

It's the safest explanation.

I ignore his comment and put my attention back on the ice. Jonesy has Tracey now, and instead of his normal teasing and cocky look he normally wears, his expression is a storm of confused anger, almost bordering on disgust.

That's strange.

That's a far cry from how cozy things were between them at the cabin. I wonder what happened between them. Did they hook up and now he's angry she's obviously flirting with other men? Did they hook up and she got too attached?

My stomach evolves from acidic jealousy to downright nausea.

I don't know what's happening here and I hate feeling out of control.

I hate not being able to control my reactions to things and people.

Or at least knowing my own thoughts. But I've been feeling out of control since my sister dropped the bomb that day in the closet. Or have I felt that way my entire life?

"Or is he?"

Fuck, Scott can't even see my face from behind me, and he can tell I'm upset. I don't even like Jonesy. So why the fuck does it bother me so much that he's got his hands on my sister?

I sigh. It's been a long goddamn week, and I've been exhausted since the moment I woke up. It's a bone-deep tired. Shit, maybe I'm still sick .

"It's a long story," is all I offer in return. It's a long story Scott will never hear. Jonesy goes to hand her to Gabe, which is awkward in all his goalie padding, but instead of even making an attempt, he out-right drops her.

I wince as she lands hard on her ass.

Gabe, who I've gotten to know, is a breed of his own. Usually broody, he loves his woman and their blended family more than life itself. It's obvious to me that instead of possibly upsetting his woman, he dropped Tracey on her ass unforgivingly. He shrugs before skating off.

A bitter, petty part of myself wonders why Ben hadn't done that.

Because you're not his woman, the voice inside my head reminds me.

And it breaks my heart all over again.