Page 13 of Your Biggest Downfall (Ravens Hockey #3)

“Uh, it’s tough,” I started, my eyes flicking back to her. “Losing is never easy, especially in a big game like this.”

I hated these types of situations. I’d been trained for it my entire life, but speaking in front of a crowd, especially about a loss, was hard. How was I supposed to respectfully lose to something I’d worked toward my entire life?

In seconds, I’d let down my mom, my new stepdad, my team, my fans, and the entire hockey organization. The weight of that pressure was crushing, like carrying bricks on my shoulders. And then, the cruelest part was being expected to smile and act pleasant in front of a camera.

Nova caught my eye for a moment and gave a small, encouraging smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back, even as I continued talking. “But we played hard, and there are always things to learn from a loss.”

As I answered more questions, my focus kept shifting between the reporters and Nova. Seeing her there, even though she was supposed to be there, made me feel like she was there for me.

“What’s your plan moving forward?” another reporter asked.

I glanced at Nova again, her eyes now intently watching me. “We’ll analyze what went wrong, work on it in practice over the next year, and come back even stronger.”

“Any personal plans for the break?”

Usually the guys headed on a month-long vacation, but I had no plans other than getting fucked up tonight.

“Nope. We’ll see where the night takes me and go from there.”

I wrapped up when a reporter fired back, “The fans want to know, do you have someone special on the horizon?”

I chuckled as I looked up at Nova. She kept her phone raised, but her gaze locked firmly with mine, her eyes steady and unflinching. She didn’t even seem to realize she’d drawn her teeth over her full, thick lower lip, tugging at it in that absentminded way that drove me insane. Fuck.

I needed to get laid tonight. I needed to get my mind off her.

I stared at her, not caring that the entire room was waiting for me to answer.

The only way I was going to get my mind off her was if I fucked her.

I never fucked anyone more than once, so if I got it out of my system, then next year, we’d go back to being friends again. I just needed a taste.

“Uh.” I fumbled, but I was in a trance.

I watched the way she went to rub her hands against her jeans, her fingers trailing her side. I watched the way she looked down, turning off the phone and flashing me the biggest, warmest smile. It had the same effect as tequila when it slid down my throat.

“Maybe tonight,” I finally said, which drew some chuckles throughout the room. “Thanks, everyone,” I waved and then wrapped up the press conference, making my way out of the press box and down the hallway.

I was headed in the right direction when I saw her curls come into view.

“Nova,” I shouted, not wanting to draw attention to us but needing her to stop. I couldn’t wrap my mind around what it was about her, but I had a need to watch her running away with my last name on the back of her shirt.

She stopped like she’d gotten caught and spun slowly toward me on her heel. I caught up to her in a few strides.

“Come out with me tonight,” I begged.

“No hello? Hi? How are you?” She narrowed her eyes at me.

I chuckled. “Hello. Hi. How are you?” I repeated.

“You had a pretty shitty game tonight,” she said softly.

I took another step in her direction. “I did.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Another step.

“It’s okay.” I looked down, feeling itchy in my suit.

“This looks good.” She reached out and grabbed the lapel of the black suit I picked for the occasion. “It’s okay if it’s not okay.”

I looked up. “I want to escape,” I whispered, though my voice carried in the quiet hall.

Everyone was still in the press room, finishing.

“Same here,” she whispered.

I could have leaned down, but instead, I wrapped my finger around a curl in her hair.

“I like your hair like this,” I said.

She laughed. “Thanks. It’s kind of my natural look.”

“Come escape with me tonight?” I dragged my finger out of her curl, tracing her cheek. When I got to her jaw, I tilted it up so she had to look at me. “Please.”

I wasn’t the man who begged women to hang out with him. Not until Nova.

I let go of her chin and then held my heart. “After a big loss...”

She giggled and playfully slapped me across my chest. “You’re such a baby. Fine. Where are we going?”

I told her the plan, and she took a step back. “How are you getting into a bar?”

“Shhh. That’s a little secret.”

“Austin,” she huffed. I loved the way her lips were full and pouty right now as she crossed her arms across her chest. “I can’t do something illegal with you and be a part of this. It could be on the news. Anyone could see you.”

I tapped her temple with my finger. “Always thinking about work, Supernova. Where’s the fun in that?”

“Nova?” someone shouted from the direction of the press box.

Nova quickly moved to stand in front of me.

“Y—Yes?” She hesitated.

I turned to see what had made her so nervous all of a sudden and saw Iris, the head of PR and media, standing by the door.

“Stop bothering the players. Are you getting the coffee I asked for?”

What a fucking bitch. How dare she talk to Nova like that. Fuck her.

I walked forward, and when Nova realized what I was doing, she quickly turned around. “Don’t,” she pleaded.

“She can’t talk to you like that.” I shifted closer so that I could step out in front of her.

“It’s fine,” she said quickly. Her desperate eyes met mine. “I’ll meet you tonight. You win. Okay?”

A smirk lifted my cheeks. “Okay, but I still don’t like the way she’s speaking to you.”

Nova hung her head low. “Neither do I. Please go.”

I couldn’t say no to her. For some reason, I couldn’t stay away from Nova Thatcher.