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ten

Wyatt

My heart breaks at the pain on her face.

“Do you want to talk about it? Him?”

I don’t want to listen to her talk about another man. But if that’s what she needs, I’ll give her the moon and more.

“He dumped me. I lost my job. And I left Boston three weeks later. What else do you want to know?”

It’s damn-near impossible to swallow past the lump in my throat, and it’s not because of the tie around my neck. Maybe I’m the one who needs to work on my breathing.

“Why Austin?”

“My mentor is the musical director here.”

“That’s good,” I choke out.

She breathes in, then out, without my prompting her. Then does it again.

“I think I’m okay,” Elsy whispers.

“Okay.”

She tries to pull away, but I clutch her tighter. “I said?—”

I let go of her hand and instead pull her into a hug. My arms wrap around her, and my eyes flutter shut at the simple pleasure of her body pressed against mine.

“What are you doing, Wyatt?” Her voice wavers.

“You seem like you need a hug.”

Or maybe it’s me who needs it.

She sighs, then slowly circles her arms around my waist and presses her cheek to my chest.

Without her heels, she’s about half a foot shorter than me. The top of her head is the perfect angle for me to press a kiss there.

But if I were to do that, she’d probably knee me in the balls, so I restrain myself. Although I don’t know where the urge came from to begin with. Clearly, something is wrong with me.

We stay wrapped up in each other for several minutes. It doesn’t feel like I’m staring down the clock, though. It’s… nice.

At long last, Elsy sighs again and pulls back.

“Will you, um—will you help me with my necklace?”

“Sure.” I take the thin silver chain from her palm and drape it across her neck. Standing behind her, I have the perfect view down her dress, but I don’t let myself get distracted as I hook the clasp and let it fall against her skin.

She ducks down and slips her heels back on, then straightens and squares her shoulders.

“We’ve got this,” I tell her. “You’ve got this.”

Offering me a faint smile, she sets her hand on my arm. “Thanks, Wyatt.”

I offer my fist for a bump, same as I would any of my teammates. She stares at me for a moment before she curls her hand into a fist, bumping knuckles with me.

A thrill runs through me at the innocent contact, my heart so full it could burst. Even though she invited me tonight, it’s clear she doesn’t actually want to spend time with me. But when she needed help, she turned to me . She let her guard down and let me see her in a vulnerable position. That doesn’t happen when you hate someone. Maybe I’m making headway after all.

Sticking my head into the hall, I check the coast is clear before I open the door fully and allow her to step out. Elsy brushes off her dress as she exits, her head held high.

In the light of the hallway, I catch sight of her face and pause.

“Hang on,” I tell her, catching her arm.

She arches an eyebrow at me. “Excuse me?”

Tracing my thumb under her eye, I rub gently on the sensitive skin.

“What are you doing?”

I think she’s holding her breath, her eyes locked on mine. Her teeth dig into her berry-red lips. I wonder what it would be like to taste them after all this time. Would it be every bit as good as my memories?

“You had a smudge.” I hope I sound casual despite how my heart is beating a little faster now. “There. I got it.”

“Thanks,” she whispers.

Elsy stalks away, her sequined dress sparkling in the hallway’s low light, and I pick up the pace to stay by her side as we reach the atrium. Under the glow of the elaborate chandelier, she glitters brighter than diamonds. She plucks two glasses of champagne off a nearby server’s tray and hands one to me, downing her own.

“Feeling better?”

“Yes, actually.” Her smile is sarcastic, no hint of her earlier mania.

When I make no move to drink the glass in my hand, she takes it back and sips it.

“You don’t drink champagne?”

“I have a game tomorrow.” I have to stay sober. If I drink, I won’t be at my best, and I won’t be able to take care of her.

“Oh, yeah. That’s right.”

“You going to come watch?” I glance at her out of the corner of my eye.

“Pass.”

“Really? I’m here with you tonight, and you can’t come to my game tomorrow?”

She makes a face. “If I really have to.”

Turning to face her, I set my hand on her arm. She gives me a withering stare until I remove it. My cock twitches. Why do I love when she’s mean to me? More for my therapist to unravel.

“Do you really not want to go? You don’t have to. I was?—”

Elsy looks down, then meets my eyes. Nerves dance over her face. “I don’t know anyone.”

“I can introduce you to the other wives and partners,” I offer. A few of my teammates are queer, though they’re not in public relationships at the moment. Still, I make a point to keep my language inclusive. It’s not my business if someone isn’t ready to come out. The last thing I’d want is to make someone feel unwanted.

I’ve got enough experience with that, thanks.

She shakes her head. “But I’m not a wife or a partner. I’m nobody. I have no relation to the team.”

“You have me. Isn’t that enough?”

Her gaze narrows as she focuses on something behind me. “Is that—what are they doing here?”

“Who?”

She nods behind me. “Did you put them up to this?”

Looking over my shoulder, I find a cluster of hockey players near the hors d’oeuvres table.

“I didn’t tell them about this.” It’s the honest truth.

“So they showed up of their own accord?”

“I… guess so.”

When Henry invited me over to grab dinner and play video games, I told him I was coming to this thing. And Viggy knew because I asked him where the nearest dry cleaner was.

But Puppy and the rest of the guys… I have no idea.

“I didn’t invite them,” I tell her quietly.

Elsy’s baby blues search mine. Finally, she nods. “I believe you.”

“Maybe they’re fans of the arts? They’re patrons?”

Her tinkling laugh is like music to my ears. It’s clear she doesn’t think so. Neither do I, truth be told.

“I’ll get them to clear out,” I promise. Though I don’t know how…

“It’s fine. They’re here. They can be a buffer,” she says. “Hell, maybe they’ll be able to convince more people to donate.”

“Here’s hoping,” I mutter, before the crowd descends upon us.

“Elsy,” Henry says, stepping forward and brushing a kiss against her cheek. “You look lovely.”

“Thanks,” she says, her cheeks pink. “You are… adequate.”

He gives her a lopsided grin. “You’re falling in love with me. Admit it.”

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s what’s happening,” Viggy says, cuffing him on the back of the head.

“Didn’t bring your TV crew?” I tease him.

The captain’s withering glare would strike fear in a lesser man, but competing on the same side of the ice every day has dulled some of its potency. “I could barely get away from them.”

“What’s this about a TV crew?” Elsy asks.

“They’re filming a reality TV show about the team,” I explain. “The producer is kind of obsessed with Viggy. It’s adorable.”

“She’s the worst,” he insists.

Elsy giggles. Some of the color is returning to her cheeks. “I’m sure she’s not that bad.”

Viggy scowls.

“What’re you guys doing here?” I change the subject.

“Your girl’s performing tonight,” Henry says, throwing his arm around my shoulders. I shove him off, and he smirks at me. “She’s part of the team, too, whether she admits it or not. We came to support her.”

“She’s not my girl,” I mutter. Though I can’t deny the warmth that spreads through me at the thought.

Wait. That’s weird. Elsy has never been and will never be mine. I made sure of that when I fucked up all those years ago.

Besides, I don’t want her to be mine. Right? Just because I enjoy antagonizing her doesn’t mean I want anything else.

If she wanted to sleep with me, sure, I’d go there again. I’d show her all the ways I’ve changed. But?—

Fuck.

“I need a drink.” Stalking off, I go in search of the bar. There has to be more than champagne here.

Puppy falls into step beside me. “She’s pretty,” he says.

My booming laugh echoes throughout the atrium, drawing attention from curious patrons. “She’s out of your league, man.”

“I can look. Doesn’t mean I’m going to touch.” He gives a short laugh. “Besides, Henry and Cap have already laid down the law. Last thing I want to do is mess with team dynamics by going after your girl.”

“She’s not my girl,” I say again.

“You just want her to be,” he finishes.

I glare at him. “Shut up.”

He shakes his head, amusement written on his face. “You’re so fucking obvious, bud.”

We reach the bar and I order a scotch and soda to take the edge off. So much for that whole not drinking the night before a game promise I made. I want to get Elsy a drink, too, but since she’s performing tonight, plus she’s on the heels of her panic attack, so I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not after she slammed two glasses of champagne. I order her a Coke instead.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn Puppy when he opens his mouth. He’s only nineteen. “Coach will kill you if you get busted drinking. The newspaper’s society reporter is here tonight. I’m sure it won’t take long for them to figure out who you are.”

“I know, I know.” He orders a Coke, too.

Together, we wait for our drinks.

“You doing okay?”

He nods. “Ready for the season to start for real.” We have three more preseason games. He’s still borderline and could be sent down to the minors any day now.

“Shitting bricks?” Personally, I think he’ll stay in the big club, but I still remember those early days, always wondering when the other shoe would drop.

“Something like that.” He gives a sarcastic smile. “I just want to know where I’m going to be. Will they keep me up with the team or send me down to the farm team? I want to stay up, I want to prove that I can do this.”

“Then you will.” I cuff him on the shoulder. “Just do your best. That’s all we’re asking.”

Puppy hums. “Yeah. Thanks, man.”

“What are teammates for?”

Our drinks are ready and I slip a twenty into the tip jar before we weave through the crowd. The hockey players form a loose circle around Elsy and—I blink—Anastasia, who looks radiant in an emerald gown. Beside her is a stunning blond woman in a red silk dress.

“Oh. It’s you,” Anastasia says, her lip curling in distaste at the sight of me.

I laugh, handing Elsy her drink. “Yep. I’m back.”

She sighs. “Wonderful.”

“It’s almost time for our performance,” Elsy says. “Do you mind keeping Katrina company?”

The blond waves. “Hi. I’m Katrina.”

“Wyatt. Nice to meet you.”

“So you’re a symphony spouse, too, huh?” she comments.

My insides tighten. “Something like that.”

“Well, we’ll be spending a lot of time together, then,” Katrina says. She kisses Anastasia. “Have an excellent performance. Break a leg. I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.”

I waggle my eyebrows at Elsy. “Want a kiss for good luck?”

She rolls her eyes. “Fuck off, Wyatt.”

My heart thumps loudly. She loves me. She’s totally in love with me.