Page 17 of Power Play (Titans Hockey #2)

Chapter fourteen

Garrett

I 'm in a shit mood.

I finally got under Lacey's skin and had the hottest sex of my life. I realized after she walked away from that elevator what I had been missing in my sex life. Emotion. Passion. Feeling anything more than a physical release.

But she walked away like it was nothing. And I don't know if I did more harm than good. I wanted to see her claws come out. I wanted to see her take all of her pent-up pain and fight for herself for once.

And when she did, it was glorious. Like watching a star explode or a volcano erupt. It instantly made me itchy for more.

But the next day in California, she was PT-Lacey again. Buttoned up, sad, small. And she gave me the cold shoulder, even when I teased her about the elevator.

We flew back to NC this morning, and I got another phone call from my father.

The practice afterwards made me look like I was in junior league again. Coach narrowed in on my weak performance and doubled down on me.

Now we're at Hat Trick, a local hockey-themed pub. So, add alcohol to that shitty combination.

I'm vaguely listening to the conversation happening around me. Just stewing in my own self-loathing. Someone was saying something about the rise in genetic disorders in children .

I mutter something about Darwin and natural selection, not realizing I’ve said it loud enough for anyone to hear. The words feel bitter on my tongue, but before I can think, a small gasp sounds but before I can look up it's followed by a crack and blinding pain in the middle of my fucking face.

Ben's got one hand bunched in the neck of my shirt as he brings a hook to my left temple.

I shove hard, knocking him on his ass. Blood pours out of my nose onto my shirt.

"Fuck, man! That just healed!" Someone gives me a napkin to stop the bleeding, and I bend over, hanging my head.

Ben’s back on his feet in seconds, fists clenched, jaw tight.

He glares at me like I’m the scum of the earth, and honestly, I don’t blame him.

"She lost her baby sister to Tay-Sachs, you piece of shit.

She had to watch her suffer, watch her die.

And you sit here spouting garbage like that?

Fuck you, Jonesy." He spits the last three words and surprise surprise, my self-loathing really can get worse.

I groan. Fuck.

"I didn't know," I say, locking eyes with him. "I'll make it better."

"Yes, you will. Right. The. Fuck. Now." He growls, pointing at the women's restroom door.

I walk to the bathroom and knock on the door. "Lacey?" I say, sounding all nasally and lame.

"Go away, Jonesy."

I shoulder my way into the room, closing my eyes. "Gentleman in the room. Eyes are closed though!" I say, feeling around the space with my left arm while my right one keeps the towel to my nose.

"There's no one else in here, dumbass, come here. "

I find her leaning against the sink, eyes red rimmed and glossy.

"Fuck, Lace, I'm sorry. I'm an ass."

"That was low, even for you." She narrows her eyes at me.

"It was. I don't even know why I said it, I don't believe it. I just...I've had a shit day. Not that that's an excuse. I'm just a shit person, too."

"No, you're not. Come here."

I tilt my head at her as she rummages around in her purse.

"I'm a dick to you and you're still taking care of me?"

She shrugs.

"You're the strongest person I know, Lace. And I'm sorry I keep fucking that up." I want her to know that I mean more than my stupid comment outside. But Garrett Jones doesn't know how to do emotions or apologies. So, I pray she can read into my words what I'm unable to say.

She removes the towel to take a look. A fresh wave of blood flows out. "Ben?"

"He's a little protective of you, in case you haven't noticed."

She smiles.

"There something going on there?"

She shakes her head. "I told you. I'm not dating."

"Not sure he got the memo," I grumble. Just add jealous asshole to my resume.

"But there used to be something there?"

She gives me a soft look, as if she's lost in her memories. So that's a yes.

Lacey pinches the top of my nose with one hand while she rummages around in her purse with the other. Before I know what she's doing, she's unwrapped a tampon and unrolled it into two cotton plugs and shoved them up my nose.

I look at myself in the mirror.

"I can't go out there like that." I stare in horror at my nose, two tampon strings hanging out of either side.

She gives me a soft smile.

"Consider it penance for what you said. You have to spend the rest of the night like that." It feels good to see her smile, even if it is a little sad.

"Ten bucks I can still pick up a chick like this."

She rolls her eyes, but her smile stays. I'll take it.

Sobering, I grab her by her elbow. "No, Lacey, I really am so very sorry. I'll do better."

Her lower lip trembles, and I see the moment she decides to let it go. Not because I deserve it, but because she’s Lacey, and that’s what she does. Forgives. Even idiots like me.

She waves a hand. "I'm usually not so sensitive about it. I must be PMSing or something."

I don't buy her excuse, but I give her the out. She needs to appear strong. I get that.

The room erupts in laughter as we return to our table, but it's only Lacey's that I hear clearly, as if my ears have tuned themselves to only her.

And she's laughing. So that's all that matters.