Page 7 of The Break Out (Denver Dragons #3)

7

C handler’s best friend, Audrey, meets us at the outdoor shopping center. I invited Spencer, but she said she was extremely inspired and needed to focus. Audrey insists we start at the store that sells lingerie because she needs some new options for her shows as a cam girl.

I feel bad for the amount of walking we’re doing because Chandler seems to struggle to keep up a bit with her extremely pregnant belly. She says she’s okay, but I’m finding it hard to believe when she presses her hand to her lower back as she walks.

While Audrey is in the changing room with a whole armful of lace and string that I couldn’t even imagine trying to get onto my body, Chandler turns toward me on the plush couch outside the changing rooms.

“So, we haven’t gotten the chance to talk about that Colton situation,” she starts with a raised eyebrow .

Audrey must hear because she calls from behind the curtain, “Yeah what the fuck was up with that asshole?”

They’ve known about my aversion to a certain annoying hockey player since last season, but that was the first time anyone except Spencer has seen his handiwork firsthand. And it’s definitely the first time he’s tried any of his tactics around my brother.

“I think he either has a death wish or has some weird goal to try and fuck me.” I shrug, those are the two possibilities I’ve thought of when it comes to Colton Wheeler’s attention.

“If he keeps trying to pull that in front of Brent, he definitely has a death wish,” Chandler nods.

Audrey comes out wearing a tight purple corset top that pushes her boobs up and some lace underwear that match. I respect her confidence to wear things like that because I’m comfortable with my body, but I wouldn’t dare.

“I think he really wants to fuck you.” Audrey shrugs.

“Hot. That’s a yes,” Chandler says pointing to the outfit.

“Done.” Audrey nods.

“I think he wants to fuck anyone who looks at him,” I grumble.

“Charlie has said he’s a total prick and acts like he’s still a part of another team,” Audrey adds while walking back behind the curtain.

Chandler nods, “Yeah, even last season after he got traded Matt would come home and talk about how badly he wants to beat him into the ice.”

“You know, I would love to see that, actually,” I smirk.

“Same!” Audrey exclaims while changing.

I chuckle, “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care what he does or who decides to fight him, he can keep trying to get with me, but it’ll never happen.”

Chandler raises her eyebrow at me. “Those are famous last words.”

Audrey peeks her head out of the curtain. “Yeah, they are. I would know, I said it’d never happen with Charlie and…well…here we are.”

“I mean it though; I’ve gone the last twenty-five years knowing I will never date a hockey player because of my brother. That won’t change, especially for a guy like Colton.”

Audrey gives me a skeptical look before disappearing back behind the curtain. Chandler also looks at me suspiciously.

“You guys suck, I mean it. I have zero interest,” I insist.

“All I’m saying is that I will get to say, ‘I told you so.’” Chandler shrugs.

“I give it a month,” Audrey adds.

I just roll my eyes at the two of them. Clearly, they underestimate how stubborn I am. Because when I set my mind to something I mean it. And I’ve had my mind set on this my entire life. It’s not changing.

We are all in the WAGs suite at the game against L.A. Audrey and Chandler spend the warmups down at the glass because they insist they need a prime view. Spencer was tempted to go with them but knew that might create some chaos and she’s trying to keep a low profile these days.

I have no desire to watch that up close. Or really at all, which is why I spend the time getting myself a drink. I’m only allowed one at the beginning of the game since I’ll have to drive myself home.

I return to Spencer’s side with my cider in hand and as soon as I sit down, I overhear a particular group of women gossiping about my friends and I just roll my eyes.

“Give it a rest,” I sigh.

“Why are you friends with the outcasts, Brynn? Your brother is the captain,” Rosie says.

“And he’s one hot ass captain,” another woman, Helen, adds.

I grimace, “Gross and he’s very taken.”

“She gets to have more than one guy, why can’t they do the same?” Rosie scoffs.

I roll my eyes, “Stay out of their lives. It doesn’t concern you. It’s been years and if you don’t knock it off, I’ll let Audrey loose on you. ”

Last season I heard about Audrey putting them in their place, but apparently it hasn’t stuck like it should. It shuts them up for now, though, and they don’t say anything when my friends return right before the first period starts.

“How were warmups?” I ask them as they take their seats.

“Amazing as always. Spencer, I’m always impressed that Jared can do the actual splits.” Audrey fans herself with her hand.

Spencer chokes out a laugh, “Thanks, I’ll make sure to pass that compliment along to him.”

I chuckle, taking a sip from my drink.

“Colton looked good out there, stretching his hips,” Chandler says, side eyeing me.

I cough. “Don’t even try. I love you, Chan, but I will tell my brother what you just said.”

She giggles. “Good. I’d love to see him lose his shit for once.”

I cringe. “Never mind.”

The game starts and it’s clear the team is putting in serious effort to win this one after their less than stellar start to the season. I’ve always been forced to watch hockey because Brent would drag me along to his practices and games because he didn’t trust to leave me at home with our pieces of shit parents. Sometimes it was fun, but I got bored of it eventually. I’m not like my friends who are glued to everything going on down on the ice and drooling over their men .

They’re happy and good for them, that’s all that matters.

The crowd gets louder, and I focus on what’s happening when I see a Dragons player racing toward the goal in the opponent’s zone, and when he shoots it, the horn that signals a goal goes off and the arena erupts in cheers. I jump up along with everyone celebrating the goal.

The jumbotron highlights the player that just scored, and my cheering instantly stops. Because the smug handsome face that is filling the screen is the one man in this entire arena, I wish I never had to see again.

Tensions begin to creep up on the ice between the teams during the next play, now that the Dragons scored. My eyes catch on a small altercation between Spencer’s ex, Kenneth, and Colton. They shove at each other, but it doesn’t progress. I’m sure it was just playful and them being all buddy-buddy.

Dickheads have to stick together. I’m sure it’s a code somewhere.

The teams continue trying to get control of the puck, and a couple line changes later things start to heat up a bit. Matt shoves some player into the boards at an awkward angle and they end up sprawled out on the ice. Instantly, players are descending on Matt, punches are being thrown and the crowd screams louder than when Colton scored his goal.

More players jump in on both teams and it’s an all-out line brawl with the Dragons against the Spartans. Matt swings the guy he’s fighting around by the jersey and throws him onto the ground before he’s on him. The refs and linesmen are struggling to break up all the fights happening .

Brent’s on the ice, mostly just holding back an L.A. player instead of full on fighting him. My brother, the controlled peacekeeper. Except when he’s antagonizing me.

The cameras on the jumbotron change their view to the benches and all the Dragons players are hitting their sticks against the boards in solidarity, except Colton. He’s resting his chin on his hands that are balancing the stick underneath him where he stands as he watches what’s happening on the ice. The camera cuts away, but not before I see the smirk on his face.

The fights are finally broken up, and the first period ends with one goal for the Dragons.

“Matt is going to be riding that high for the rest of the night.” Chandler shakes her head.

“Which means you’ll be riding him.” Audrey winks at her best friend and I chuckle.

Chandler scoffs, “He doesn’t get that privilege alone, it’s more fun to mess with him by messing with Vince or Brent.”

I gag, making sure to exaggerate my retching noise.

Chandler cringes. “Sorry, sometimes I forget you’re not just one of my best friends.”

I wave her off. “It’s fine, it’s just my initial reaction to anything having to do with my brother regardless of the subject matter. But also, gross.”

“Well, you’re not related to Charlie so I can tell you all about what his reward is if they win tonight,” Audrey beams .

“Thanks, but no thanks on that one too,” I say, laughing.

During the next period there’s a small altercation between Kenneth and Audrey’s boyfriend Charlie. It gets broken up before anything really happens and I just shake my head at all the drama between these guys. I know it’s the nature of hockey, but these teams have a hatred that runs deeper than just the game.

The crowd loudly opposes when the Spartans get a goal, and it fires up the Dragons even more. Every time Colton is on the ice I notice that he’s not as aggressive toward his old team as he usually is during a game.

I hate that I notice that but considering he’s usually one of the players causing massive fights, with some dirty hits. Not this game. If anything, sometimes it almost looks like he’s playing against his teammates rather than with them. Even though I can’t see my brother, I know he’s probably pissed, but hiding it like he always does.

The teams are tied going into the third period and they are both playing like its game seven of the playoffs, not just one of the first games of the season. Everyone’s eyes are glued to the ice, I’m hoping the Dragons win purely because I don’t want to deal with any moping.

That dream fades when the Spartans score once again putting them ahead by one with only five minutes left in the game. Hockey can change in a second and I know this doesn’t mean it’s over at all.

And yet, after five minutes it is over. The Spartans won .

“Well, that fucking sucked,” Audrey huffs as we all start to make our way down to the tunnel to meet the guys.

It doesn’t take long before some of the players start to exit the locker room, clearly wanting to get out of here as soon as possible after the loss. Vince greets us with a smile on his face the second he sees Chandler, like the shitty game doesn’t even phase him now.

“Hey baby,” he greets her with a kiss on her cheek. She blushes, leaning into him.

“Are we going out to commiserate?” Audrey asks.

Chandler groans, rubbing her hand on her stomach. “Not me. You all can enjoy, but I’m going to sleep for the foreseeable future.”

“I’m going wherever you go.” Vince wraps his arms around Chandler, placing his hands on her very pregnant belly.

Charlie joins us, his girlfriend turns to him and asks, “Are we going out?”

“Uh, I didn’t really have any plans to. Are you wanting to?” Charlie looks around at the rest of us, clearly caught off guard by her question.

“I’m down,” I announce, even though I’m exhausted too, and want nothing more than to crawl into bed like Chandler.

“Down for what, Baby Collee? Me? It’s about damn time,” Colton says, sneaking up on me and throwing that damn arm around my shoulders again. I immediately push him away, but he just chuckles .

“Give it up.” I roll my eyes.

“I’m going out with some of my old teammates, so if you decide you want to have some real fun tonight, Princess, hit me up.”

“Won’t happen.”

The words don’t leave my mouth, instead, Brent beats me to it as he approaches. His eyes locked on Colton who’s already walking away.

I turn toward my brother. “What did I say? I can handle myself.”

“You’re still my little sister,” he grunts. I know he’s already mad about the loss and catching Colton hitting on me yet again is not helping the situation.

“Ew don’t call me that,” I joke, trying to dissipate some of the tension that’s surrounding us.

“Anywayyyy,” Audrey exaggerates the syllable, also trying to relieve some of the weird tension that’s fallen over all of us. “You’re still coming out, Brynn?”

“Yup, let’s leave these party poopers to their lame night in.”