Page 26 of The Break Out (Denver Dragons #3)

26

I don’t know when I fell asleep, but when I woke up it was still dark, and I felt a warm body surrounding me. That’s when I realized where I was and who I was with. As carefully as I could I got dressed and got out of his house as fast as possible. Called an Uber to take me back to my car and did the walk of shame into my apartment where I swear Ellie was judging me.

“I know I said just once, but I meant just twice,” I tell her on my way to collapse on my own bed face first.

I pass out not long after my face hits my pillow, hating how cold I feel without his large muscular body wrapped around me.

I wake up to my phone ringing way too loudly. I’m not even hungover and yet I feel like my head is swimming. I search for the source of the noise and find it in my purse I dumped at the front door when I came home.

“Hello?” I answer immediately, clearing my throat because I sound terrible .

“You okay?” Brent’s deep voice asks.

“Yeah? Why wouldn’t I be?” I look down at myself as if I’m double checking. The only thing I see is rumpled clothes from sleeping in them. Or from them being tossed. And I’m out a pair of panties and a bra I really liked. Dammit, that reminder is enough to bring the entire night flooding back. And now is not the time for that.

“Because I tried to find you before I left last night but couldn’t, so I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all night.” He sounds like a scolding parent without raising his voice, only a “disappointed” tone.

Probably because I was getting fingered by your teammate just a few yards away from you and forgot I was even in public.

“Oh, yeah, I left pretty early, I was tired. I might be coming down with something.”

“You do sound like shit.”

“Wow. Thanks, bro. You sound like shit every day, but I don’t feel the need to call you out on it all the time.”

“You need anything?”

“An all-expenses paid trip to Bora Bora with a hot muscular masseuse on call the entire time.”

“Hilarious,” he responds, deadpan. “Well, drink some tea, eat some soup, and rest if you’re getting sick because we can’t have you around Evie even if it is Thanksgiving. ”

Shit , I forgot what day it is.

“Whatever you say,” I roll my eyes at his bossiness. “I would never risk seeing her if I’m sick.”

“Yeah, okay. Call me if you need anything, but we will see you later as long as you’re feeling okay.”

“I already told you I need–”

“Goodbye.” He hangs up and I chuckle, but it burns because my throat is really dry.

After chugging two glasses of water, I dare look at my phone for any other notifications and am pleased not to see Colton’s name on it at all. Maybe once wasn’t enough, but twice was and I can finally be done with him.

The ache between my legs protests that thought slightly because my whore of a pussy would like to keep him, but my mind is pretty happy with the idea.

Mostly.

I shake away the thoughts and lingering fear of abandonment that is trying to claw its way out. Reminding myself this is what I want. Him to leave me alone.

Even though it is a holiday I can’t help but look at my email, skimming for anything super urgent or important. My eyes land on an email from Kenneth’s publicist. I’m a little surprised she’s reaching out. The subject just reads:

POTENTIAL STORY RELEASING. CALL ME TO DISCUSS .

Hello Ms. Collee,

I wanted to reach out to inform you that there is a potential story coming out that does not paint my client in the best light. We are trying to handle it, but as it stands right now if the story leaks, we would like to come to an agreement with Ms. Sparks that she would be willing to vouch for my client’s character as this story could be debilitating to his reputation and career.

Please call me to discuss further. As previously stated, we are trying to handle it before anything is released.

Thank you.

I send a simple email as a response because no matter what the story could be, the thought that Spencer would take Kenneth’s side is laughable.

Ms. Reiner,

My client, Ms. Sparks, is not making any public statements at this time. Nor is she doing any press. Also, knowing the history between our clients I do not think it is reasonable to expect her to make any statement on his behalf. As I’m not aware of the story you are referring to, but if it does not directly involve my client, I respectfully ask that you leave her out of it.

Thank you.

I have to erase the “ fuck you ” at the end which is directed more at Kenneth since I’m sure he put her up to this request anyway. It does make me wonder what the story is they’re trying to get ahead of because it must be something good.

That’s something I’m going to have to research a bit.

After a long, hot shower, food, and getting some underwear on.

Finally feeling somewhat human again, I start to try and dig for information on what story could be coming out about Kenneth, utilizing all my sources to figure it out.

Seems like whatever it is they are working hard to keep it quiet, though, because I’m not able to find a single thing.

I do, however, start down a rabbit hole that is researching Colton because I realize how little I know about him and considering I’ve now slept with him twice I should learn something about the man other than how obnoxious he is and what his dick feels like inside me.

I’m able to find a lot of articles about him when he was younger, his hockey achievements. A shocking lack of scandals from once he started in the league. Mostly just his stats and the different women he’s been seen with, but that’s it.

Something does catch my eye further down and it’s an obituary for a Josh Wheeler. I click on it, my screen is filled with a picture of a smiling boy who looks like a younger, happier version of Colton. They share the same light brown hair; this kid has freckles decorating his cheeks and is missing his top two front teeth as he smiles widely at the camera.

Their eyes are strikingly similar, the blue-silver that I’ve never seen on anyone before. My eyes catch on the dates that show he was only ten years old when he died. I read through the obituary which is where I learn this is Colton’s brother. It doesn’t give much information other than how much he will be missed and how much he lit up everyone’s lives.

There’s a pang in my chest as I think about this boy losing his life so young, my immediate thought is that it had to be an accident. My heart hurts for his family, and then my own grief hits as I think of my own brother.

Mine dug his own grave in a way, but I can’t help the lingering guilt I constantly feel when I think of Brandon. Of the things I should have done to help, even though Brent has told me there’s nothing I could have done. I just feel like there should have been.

It didn’t have to be like this.

I hardly notice I’m crying until a tear drops and hits the top of my hand just sitting on my keyboard.

Wiping my cheeks, I take a deep breath to compose myself once again. Ellie jumps up next to me, meowing as she pushes her head against my arm. I swear this cat knows things.

“I’m okay, El,” I reassure her while petting her head.

My phone dings and I don’t know why my immediate thought is that it may be Bryson or Bailey. Probably my subconscious is just hoping since now I have the pull to reach out to make sure they’re okay after what I just learned about Colton’s brother and the reminder of my own.

My shoulders drop when I see it’s neither of them, but the man I was just researching.

Colton: Was that enough time to let you freak out about what happened and not ignore me again?

Brynn: It’s a holiday, this number is out of service.

Colton: Almost forgot, but the only thing I’m thankful for today is how tightly your pussy strangles me. Especially when I tell you what a good little slut you are for me.

Brynn: It’s a holiday, said pussy is also out of service.

Colton: Damn, I broke you? I’ll come kiss it better.

Brynn: Go spend time with your family or something.

He doesn’t reply right away, and I gnaw at my lip, worried that may have been too far, even for me especially with what I just learned. I don’t know how close he is to his family, maybe it’s like mine and strained. Maybe it’s perfect, I didn’t see any other obituary that could show his parents are dead, so I assume they aren’t.

Colton: They don’t live here. I could join yours. I’m sure mommy, daddy, and big bro would love to see me show up with you to the family dinner.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding when he continues with his flirty banter. I’ve never cared about offending him or hurting his feelings, so I’m not sure why I suddenly do. Probably has something to do with my own issues that I’m shaking away again.

Brynn: No parents, just going to Brent’s.

My thumbs hover over the screen as I think about what I’m about to type. I know I shouldn’t, but something about what I recently learned has created this string connecting us in a way I didn’t expect and didn’t entirely want. But it’s there and I can’t ignore it.

Brynn: You could join though if you want.

Colton: Uh, to your brother’s house? That he shares with his girlfriend who he shares with two other guys?

Brynn: Never mind.

Colton: I’ll pick you up at three.

Brynn: Two conditions.

Brynn: No being a dick to everyone. They are your teammates, act like it.

Brynn: Nothing has happened or is happening between us. I invited you because I feel bad.

Not a total lie.

Colton: One condition of my own, then.

Colton: You come back to my place and don’t sneak out this time.

Brynn: Only if my conditions are met. If not, then you take me home and delete my number.

Colton: Ha ha. I’ll see you soon, Baby Collee.

One way or another I’m going to regret this.