Page 5 of Slashed By You (Chicago Steel #5)

Chapter 5

Josh

I t’s summer, and you know what that means. Steel parties. Samantha and Lucas started the trend last year by having a Fourth of July party. And whether or not they like it, their house has become party central for our team during the offseason. These get-togethers are always fun and stress free. After much nagging, I agree to take Kayla with me, but make her promise not to stream the entire thing.

We arrive fashionably late, because I have Kayla with me and I want to avoid any unnecessary drama. Lucas answers the door, smiling. “Hey, Cap. Glad you could make it.” Then he turns to Kayla. His smile fades and his voice dulls. “Kayla.” Unaware he’s dissed her, she shoves her way inside.

“This way?” she asks while heading toward the backyard. I don’t know why she’s asking. She’s been here before. Maybe it’s for the live stream she’s apparently already begun. Grinding my teeth in frustration, I say, “Sorry.”

Once she’s out of earshot, Lucas looks at me pointedly and asks, “Is she for real?”

I shrug. “Parts of her, I think.” Lucas laughs.

“Definitely not her boobs or lips.” Smirking, I keep my mouth shut, but he nailed it. “Everyone’s out back,” he informs me while heading into the kitchen.

I nod to him and then head outside. As soon as I’m past the door, I hear hoots and hollers coming from the pool. Ace and Rocco are splashing in there with Jasmine, Rocco’s best friend, and Nicole, a friend of Jasmine’s. Both ladies are welcome additions to the Steel family. They fit in perfectly, unlike Kayla. Glancing around the backyard, I wonder where she is. It’s easy to spot her. She’s relaxing on a lounge chair in her string bikini, talking to her followers. Over the last two years, she’s built quite a following, and anytime she can go live, she does. Hence her poolside behavior. The guys notice, and Rocco splashes hard next to her, getting her wet,

“What are you doing?” she squeals, sounding like a possessed witch.

Rocco smirks. “Kayla, in case you didn’t know, you’re at a pool party, wearing a bikini, and sitting on a deck chair in the splash zone. What did you think was going to happen?”

Flipping her phone around, she focuses on Rocco, and in a shrill tone, she complains, “You got me wet and ruined my live stream.”

Unbothered, Rocco just shrugs, grunts, and swims away. Meanwhile, Kayla scrunches her nose up, fumes, and stares daggers at his retreating back. Shit. This isn’t going to be good. Needing a distraction, I notice that the food table is all setup. Stepping up beside her, I hand Kayla my towel. “Here you go.”

“Thank you, Josh.” As she dries off what little of her actually got wet, she mutters under her breath, “Some people are just so rude.” Pretending I didn’t hear her and her not-so-subtle dig, I point to the food and ask. “Are you hungry?”

“I am. My power smoothie didn’t last as long as I planned.” Standing up, she rubs her body against mine. Really? That wasn’t obvious. “Let’s take a selfie.” Her suggestioncomes with puppy dog eyes. Even though I want to say no because I know it’ll end up on social media, I don’t, choosing to avoid the tantrum she’d likely have.

“Fine,” I grumble. She pulls me closer and lines up the picture. One picture turns into a mini photo shoot where I’m basically her accessory. Can’t wait to see how this turns out.

By the time we finally make it over to the food, most everyone has grabbed a plate and moved over to the tables and chairs. We find two empty chairs at the end of the table and settle in. Of course, while loading up our plates, Kayla mentioned several times that everything contained either gluten or wasn’t vegan. It took everything within me not to come back with a snarky response. But I just held my tongue, trying to keep my eye rolling to when I was facing away from her. Looking over now, she loaded her plate with fruit and salad. Looks like she found something. While sitting and enjoying my food, I ask myself, is she always this tiring to be around? Before I can answer myself, Christian shouts out, “Sam, this food is incredible!”

“Thanks. I got a catering recommendation from one of our client’s wives and it turned out great,” she replies.

Biting into my dessert, the flavors explode on my tongue. Amazing. “Where’d you get these cupcakes? They are the best thing I’ve ever eaten,” I say after devouring one.

“Even better than Kayla?” Rocco whispers loudly to Ace.

Ace sputters and Jasmine slaps Rocco’s arm. Then she gives him a half-hearted glare and she whispers, “Don’t mess with crazy.”

Samantha clears her throat. “Kenzie, the owner and baker of CakeStop, is incredible, and everything she makes is heavenly. She’s already been hired to cater the desserts for the Steel Your Heart gala next year. You should all definitely stop by her shop and give her your business.”

“Thanks, Samantha. I think I’ll do that,” I say.

“Joshie, baby, you could have her make my birthday cake this year,” Kayla suggests in a baby voice.

Scratching my head, I respond, “Maybe? I didn’t think you really ate cake, Kayla.” Didn’t she just make a fuss about gluten?

“Or cock,” Ace whispers loudly, then bows his head to control his hysterical laughter. Shit. How does he know? Looking at him, I see his shoulders bobbing up and down. Is the shithead laughing so hard he’s wheezing? Looking at the rest of my teammates, I notice they’re also trying to maintain their composure. They are all well aware of Kayla’s dramatic tendencies, but I thought I’d kept our lack of intimacy locked down. Right now, I wonder if I slipped up and confessed it to one of my teammates and don’t remember. Why else would he be saying these things? Just then, Ace looks up with a smirk, and recognition hits. He’s trying to set Kayla off. They’re poking the bear. Why? Letting out a deep breath, I pray she keeps her cool.

Apparently, Kayla doesn’t appreciate their teasing, because she slams her napkin down and screeches something unrecognizable. My balls cower in fear as she stomps away from the table.

“Thanks a lot, asshole,” I mutter before heading after her.

On the way, Mika grabs my arm and asks, “Why do you put up with her drama?”

All I can do is shrug my shoulders, answering, “It’s complicated, man.”

In moments, I find her pacing in the side yard, still screeching. I do my best to calm her down, but it’s no use.

“Kayla, do you want to stay or go?”

She scowls at me, making my decision to stay that much easier. “I’m staying, but I can order an Uber for you if you’re leaving.”

“You’re staying here? After the way they treated me?” Her accusations are fully loaded, ready to destroy.

“I am. It’s a team function, and they were just teasing. You can’t take them seriously,” I explain.

Kayla pouts in silence the entire time until the Uber arrives ten minutes later. Then, without another word, she gets in and is gone. Shit. “The fallout from this is going to be fun,” I grumble to myself as I make my way back into the backyard. My friends and teammates are sitting around the table, quietly watching me.

Rocco breaks the tension when he asks, “Ace, how much do we owe you for the show?”

Nervous laughter travels around the table as I shake my head and grumble, “You’re all assholes.”

“Are you staying or leaving?” Lucas asks.

Grabbing my abandoned beer, I drain it before answering, “Definitely staying.”

The next few hours breeze by with no drama, only fun. Coach Tristan eventually shows up and makes a brief appearance.

When I get home, I’m not sure what to expect. “Kayla,” I call while approaching our bedroom. Looking in, I see she’s asleep, and I know I dodged a bullet.

Trying to be as quiet as a church mouse, I get ready for bed and slip under the covers undetected. The next morning when I wake up, Kayla is already up. Staying out of her way, I avoid her for most of the day. Later in the afternoon, as I’m watching the Cubs game, she strolls in, looking happier than I’ve seen her in weeks. What is happening?

“Hi. What are your plans for dinner?” she asks.

“I was going to throw a steak on the grill. Anything you want?” I offer, even though I know her answer will be no.

She smiles. “That’s sweet of you to offer. But I think I’m going to make a salad.”

Seeing that she’s in a good mood, my body relaxes. “Great. We can talk about what we want to do while we’re in the Bahamas.”

“I already booked a fishing and snorkeling trip for us.” Another smile and she adds, “I hope that’s okay.”

Giving her a genuine smile, I reply, “Thank you. I can’t wait.”

T he trip to the Bahamas was just what I needed. While there, I relaxed and shook off the stress I’d been under the past few years.

Returning to Chicago, I jump back into training with renewed vigor, and before I know it, the new season is only days away. Heading into my sixth year with the Steel, I know I need to rebuild and repair some relationships I ignored the previous season because I was a mess. Losing the baby had destroyed me, and for the rest of the season, I’d just gone through the motions. As the captain, I know I need to do better. Thankfully, the guys and Coach Tristan haven’t lost their faith in me, despite my shortcomings.Truth is, my heart’s shattered. Instead of sharing that, I kept it all to myself.

During some downtime in the Bahamas while Kayla was off streaming whatever she deemed important, I worked through my feelings. Although I’m still sad about losing the baby, I understand it wasn’t the right time or with the right person for me to start a family. After finally saying goodbye to that painful chapter of my life, I’m ready to move forward and live the life I want. I know I have changes to make. I also know some would be harder than others.

November arrives, hitting hard and I’m already exhausted. After our third away series, I’m ready to be home. Management moves up our flight from Dallas, and I arrive home four hours before I expected. It’s still nighttime, but eight was better than midnight, especially when Coach ordered a scrimmage for the next morning at seven. A few lights are on, and I wonder if Kayla is home.

“Kayla, are you home?” I call out as I enter from the garage. Lights and music are coming from the back deck, so she might be in the hot tub. When I’m gone, she has girlfriends over to keep her company. Just as I’m about to open the patio door and say hello, I hear my name through an open kitchen window. Curious, I move closer to hear what’s being said.

“Kayla, you are so lucky. This house is gorgeous,” a woman I don’t recognize gushes.

I see Kayla beaming. “Well, he is my boyfriend. Where else would I live? He wants me all the time.”

I scoff to myself. Her explanation is complete bullshit. One, she isn’t really my girlfriend. I actually don’t know what I’d label us. Roommates, maybe? But then why do you sleep in the same bed? I don’t fucking know. Maybe she’s become like a weird safety blanket for me. And what is she talking about? I want her? No. The last time we were together was almost three years ago when we grief fucked after she lost the baby. Shivers run down my spine. Just the thought of our baby tears me up inside. Feeling guilty for eavesdropping, I’m about to step away when Kayla’s friend says something that stops me dead in my tracks and turns my blood cold.

“Who are you kidding? This is me you’re talking to, and I know you’ve only slept together twice. The only reason you’re here is because of your fake pregnancy story. Josh is a good guy and you’re using him. If he were interested in you, you’d be having sex all the time, not just when you’re scheming.”

Did she just say fake pregnancy? My stomach drops and it feels like I can’t breathe. Clutching the kitchen counter, I bend over and suck in a few deep breaths.

There was no baby, no pregnancy, no miscarriage. Shock morphs into anger. I ball my fists at my side, my body shaking with rage. She’s been using me. How could she?

Needing an explanation, I move to the patio door and slide it open.

“Ladies,” I say as calmly as I can as I move near the hot tub. Kayla has a smile plastered to her face, and I force myself not to glare. Her friend, whom I now see clearly, I recognize as Ally, her best friend from New York. She must be visiting. Such a shame I can’t make her visit more enjoyable.

“Josh, what are you doing home already?” Kayla asks, sounding worried.

It’s impossible not to notice Ally is extremely tense. Her back is ramrod straight, and she isn’t making eye contact. “Hey, Ally. Are you visiting long?” Looking around, I see that they have wine glasses and snacks on a table to the side of the hot tub. “Am I interrupting anything?”

Kayla sits up taller, showcasing her cleavage, and bats her eyes at me. “Just girl talk.” I try my best to ignore her and not roll my eyes.

“If that’s all it is, you won’t mind if I join you. I’m sore from the game, and a good soak sounds great.” I look at Ally, and she’s frozen, while Kayla continues her charade. Walking back into the kitchen, I stop when I’m out of sight, and I listen.

“Do you think he heard us?” Ally questions nervously.

Kayla scoffs. “There is no way Josh is on to me. He was one hundred percent convinced I was pregnant and had a terrible miscarriage. And before long, he’ll see we are meant to be and make things official between us. We’ve been together for so long. How could he not believe we’re perfect for each other?”

Ally answers, “You better hope so, because if he ever finds out what you’ve done, it won’t be pretty.”

“He’ll never find out. No one besides us knows, so unless you tell him…”

Let’s just see about that. I grind my teeth together as I head for the stairs. I’m going to change into my shorts and then catch Kayla in her lies. Before the evening ends, she’ll be out of my life for good.

Stepping back onto the patio, I hide all emotions. “Need anything before I get in,” I offer them while still dry. Kayla and Ally both shake their heads. “Great.” I set my towel on a deck chair I’ve moved nearby and then make my way up the steps. Kayla’s hungry eyes roam over my bare abdomen. The feel of her eyes on my skin crawl and I feel queasy.

Lowering myself in front of a jet, I let it massage my weary muscles. Tipping my head back to rest on the ledge, I close my eyes. “That feels so good.” I groan.I feel Kayla move next to me, brushing her fake boobs on my arm. Really?

“Do you know what else feels good?” she whispers in my ear. Shivers rocket through my body and I feel bile climb up my throat.

“Winning the Stanley Cup,” I offer sarcastically.

“Josh,” she whines.

When she places her hand on my bicep, I hold back a snarl. Reaching up, I pluck it off and drop it into the water. “We aren’t doing that again,” I warn her in a stern voice.

“Why not? We’re so good together. Don’t you want me?”

I open my eyes and look at her point blank. “Do you really want to have this conversation in front of Ally?”

She flips her hair and looks over her shoulder at her best friend to gauge her reaction. Apparently, she doesn’t get one and shrugs her shoulders. I glance around her and notice Ally looks incredibly uncomfortable, as if she’s trying to disappear.

“Okay, Kayla. You want this conversation, you got it. No, I don’t want you. Twice was more than enough.”

Shocked, Kayla puts her hand on her surgically enhanced chest and gasps. “What? Why?”

Shaking my head, I mutter, “You asked.” Then I make sure I’m making eye contact. “We have only ever been a hookup, nothing more. And then I find out you lied.”

Both ladies’ eyes go wide, and they share a panicked look.

“Lied… about what?” she squeaks.

“From what I’ve heard… so, so many things.”

Before she can even defend against my claim, I launch into what I know before the truth rips me to shreds. “There never was a baby, was there?” I’m not really looking for a response. I already heard the truth. She just doesn’t know it. I just don’t know the why. Panic registers across her face. Climbing out of the hot tub, because I can’t stand to be close to her, I snarl, “Since there was never a pregnancy, your miscarriage was also fake and just a continuation of your original lie. Correct?”

Ally gasps and Kayla sputters. “Josh. L-let me explain.” Her whining just makes me angrier. How the fuck is she going to explain this? Glaring at her, I say nothing, wanting to see how she’ll try to dig her way out. But she doesn’t say anything, because she can’t. She is a lying, conniving bitch, and I want her out of my life. Now .

Kayla tries to climb from the hot tub to reach me, but I step away and growl, “Don’t come near me. You have five minutes to get yourself out of my house. I never want to see or hear from you again. You can make arrangements with my personal assistant to get the rest of your things.”

“But, Josh, we’re perfect together. You can’t kick me out. I have nowhere to go. I love you. Can’t you see that?” she whines, only making me angrier.

I whip around to face her. “Love me? Is this how you treat someone you love? Lucky me. Guess what? I don’t love you. I loathe you. If you aren’t gone in four minutes, I will call the cops and have you removed. With force if necessary.”

Ally steps up behind Kayla. “Let’s go, Kayla. It’s time.”

Kayla drops to her knees and sobs uncontrollably. I roll my eyes and go back into my house, unaffected by her dramatics. Even in the distance, I hear Ally’s warning. “I told you that you were going to get caught. It serves you right. Now, get up. You’re making a scene and acting ridiculous.”

Before the five minutes are up, I hear Ally dragging Kayla through the house and out the front door. Aminute later, she returns and grabs her bag from the entryway and Kayla’s purse. She makes eye contact with me and mutters, “Sorry, Josh. That was a shitty thing she did to you.” When she leaves, I go to my fridge, grab a beer, and sit on my couch, stunned by the last half hour of my life.

What do I do now?