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Chapter 22

Grayson

HUDSON MITCHEL a birdie told me Grayson’s girlfriend is in the stands tonight. Is that true?

THEO IRVING NO SHIT!!!

Cap, please tell me we can meet her

JACK LEWIS yeah, I want to meet the woman responsible for pussy whipping you

LOGAN JOHNSON shut up, Lewis

JACK LEWIS he’s been singing Taylor Swift in the shower

LOGAN JOHNSON you also sing Taylor Swift in the shower

JACK LEWIS exactly, it’s how I know he’s a fake Swiftie

ASHER O’CONNOR is there such a thing as a fake Swiftie?

THEO IRVING no, Lewis just wants to be a pick-me and be unique for the puck bunnies

GRAYSON Don’t scare Bella off. And who the hell told you she was coming

tonight?

MATTEO VALENTI

OOOHH, Bella?

*Twilight meme*

this is the skin of a killer, Bella

THEO IRVING

BAHAHAH

GRAYSON

screw you guys

HUDSON MITCHEL

you love us

GRAYSON yeah I do, so don’t annoy her

hat was the best I’ve played since Drew passed away, and I’m awareT enough to acknowledge that the cause for my sudden improvement was the woman in the stands named Bella.

Just seeing her sitting behind the bench, her cheeks and nose pink from the cold of the arena and a carefree smile on her face, was enough to push me

to want greatness.

I wasn’t the only one to think so.

Coach clapped me on the back after the game and said, “Welcome back.”

His praise means everything to me.

I haven’t smiled like this in over a year and it’s all because of her. We might be lying to those around us, the relationship might be fake, but to me… To me, it feels entirely different.

Stepping into O’Malley’s bar that we frequent after home games, my eyes roam the packed place, seeking Bella. With red booth seats and TVs hanging on the walls showcasing the highlights of tonight’s game, the atmosphere is charged. The patrons are already swaying, their eyes glassy.

Something sharp and quick stabs my chest, a longing that never used to be there with alcohol. It used to just be something fun, something to sip on as I spoke with the guys. It never used to be a crutch.

Never used to be something I yearn for.

It’s hard to accept that when I smell alcohol now, it makes my mouth salivate. In all the AA meetings I’ve gone to the conclusion I’ve gathered is that the craving to drink never truly fades. It might be dull some days but it’s always there, nudging you to numb your sorrows.

Kieran comes up beside me, throwing his arm over my shoulder. “You good?”

It’s the first time I’ve been in a bar since Kieran poured all my liquor down the drain. I nod, though I don’t tell him my mouth is watering. His eyes are zeroing in on a group of puck bunnies who have positioned themselves at the front of the bar. Their eyes are hungry as the rest of the team makes their way inside.

Pasting on a smile despite the tightness in my chest, I lift my chin, indicating the women who are practically drooling over him. “I’m fine, go do

your thing.”

Kieran pauses, his eyes narrowing.

He always sees too much.

O’Connor is the last to trickle in, making a beeline for a red booth at the back that Cindy sits in. Despite seeing the pair getting along during the game, I don’t spot Bella.

Lowering my head to his ear, I admit, “I’m going to find Bella.”

Kieran gazes at me for a beat before the tension he was holding finally seeps out of his shoulders. “Text me if you need me, and remember what’s at stake.” He steps forward, only to spin on his heel and whisper, “Drew would be proud of you.”

My eyes flick to Kieran’s. I’ve known him for so long that it’s easy to clock his sincerity. Before he can say more, I clear the emotion rising in my throat and turn, moving through the bar to find Bella.

On my way here, all I could think about was seeing Bella. I didn’t think that narrow-minded focus could grow but here I am, my hands fisting at my sides as a hum of nervousness overtakes me.

Making my way to the back where O’Connor, Cindy, Ellington, and Valenti are sitting, I pause, leaning over to ask Cindy, “Did Bella go home?”

She shakes her head. “She’s at the bar getting us drinks!”

I frown. “Why is she getting the guys drinks?”

She rolls her eyes, leaning further into O’Connor. “Not them. It’s for her and me.” She scoffs. “I’d never cover your guys’ drinks. No offense, but have you seen the difference in our bank accounts?”

Valenti, sitting across the booth, throws a rolled-up napkin at her head.

“I’m gutted you won’t cover me, C. Truly gutted.”

“Go cry into your pile of millions,” Cindy retorts.

Turning away as they all begin to bicker, I ignore the leering eyes of not only women but men who are fans and are no doubt dying to ask questions about tonight’s game or get a photograph. I usually would, but not now. I just need to find — A breath I didn’t realize I had been holding whooshes from my chest as I spot Bella at the far end of the bar, her hands clutching two glasses of white wine. Warmth flows through me again, the tension in my body loosening at the sight of her. Until I see the adamant shake of her head, the wide eyes, and the disgust that comes over her features as she says no.

That’s when I notice the drunk guy next to her, wrapping his disgusting meaty hands around her wrist and pulling her into him despite her saying no again and shaking her head. I don’t need to see more before I’m livid.

Blood roars in my ears, everyone in the crowded bar disappearing. I’m beside her in a heartbeat, just as she hisses, “Stop! You’re hurting me!”

I place both my palms on his chest and push with all my might, sending the dick tumbling.

“Get the fuck off her!” I growl. “No means fucking no. Are you daft? Do you need to go back to school?”

Bella’s intake of air behind me and the small hands I feel on my back do nothing to settle the simmering rage pulsing through my body. He kept touching her, crowding her personal space. She said no for fuck’s sake.

The guy’s eyes widen, not out of fear, I realize with disgust, but awe.

“Crawford! Good game, man,” he slurs.

Shoving him away, I don’t bother to deign him with a response. I simply lift my gaze to Luke, the security guard in the corner who has already clocked us. As soon as I give him a toss of my head, he’s beside us, wrapping his

hand around the drunk’s arm.

“Let’s go, pal, you’ve had enough.”

He’s so drunk he barely kicks up a fuss. His red glazed eyes remain glued on mine as Luke drags him through and out the bar. If people weren’t looking before, they certainly are now.

My chest is heaving as I spin, ignoring the sets of eyes on my back. The first thing I see is the red mark on her wrist. “Are you okay?”

Gently picking it up, I turn it this way and that, inspecting it even as she

huffs, “Thank you for that.”

“Not something that needs to be thanked. I’m surprised no one else stepped in.” I say this with a pointed glare to the men around her, who conveniently advert their gazes to the TV above their heads, which is ironically playing my highlights from tonight.

First game of the season and we won. Three to one.

None of that matters, though. Not in this moment.

Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I tuck her into my side, loving the feel of her body as it melts perfectly against mine as I steer her back toward the booth with everyone.

Cindy’s eyes are wide as we finally part through the crowd. “Jesus, Bella, are you all right?” Her hand is on her chest. “I’m so sorry, I should have come with you!”

“So we could have both been cornered? It’s okay, you didn’t know, and it didn’t go too far.”

Cindy shakes her head with disgust, and I realize the guys all have mirroring looks of it as well. Sliding into the booth, as if it’s second nature, my arm instinctively wraps around her, pulling her body closer so it’s nestled into mine.

And so help me God, when she scoots in closer I can’t help it, I do what I’ve been craving to do since the moment we sat next to each other in my kitchen and I smelled her perfume.

After all, I warned her that I love affection. This is all part of the deal.

Turning my head to the side, I bury my face in the crook of her neck and inhale, greedy as I drink in the scent of her before I force myself to pull away.

But not before I plant a gentle kiss against her temple.

Bella’s chest rises and falls faster with every passing second and I note her hands are shaking as she slides the glass of wine Cindy’s way.

Are her hands shaking from the drunk guy at the bar or because I kissed her temple?

I feel like punching myself. Did I seriously just do that after what happened? I’m just as bad as the guy at the bar.

Stupid, so fucking selfishly stupid.

I begin to slide away, to give her distance. Fuck the agreement we made, she needs to not feel so cornered by men — I stop as Bella slides her hand onto my thigh and squeezes.

My breath hitches.

I remain frozen until she scoots closer to me. I can’t help it, my brows rise in shock. It takes considerable effort to pull my mind away from her and focus on who’s speaking. Part of me hates that she’s meeting some of the guys this frazzled; they’re like a dog with a bone.

“Fuck that guy, he’s always getting kicked out,” O’Connor states, leaning past Cindy to shake Bella’s hand. “I’m Asher. Thanks for keeping her company tonight.”

Cindy rolls her eyes as she takes a sip of wine.

Bella smiles softly. “I’m pretty sure it was the other way around but good luck getting rid of us now.”

Cindy winks. “Yeah, Grayson. You and Kieran aren’t the only devil pair in the league.”

I laugh at that, the tension in my chest and the adrenaline coursing through my body from earlier fading as Bella nestles further into my warmth.

Bella’s just doing what you told her to do, a small voice in my mind reminds me as my heart gallops at her affection. Fuck me. Who would have thought I’d ever have to remind myself a beautiful girl’s touch was fake because I’m paying her?

“Thank God we have you two, otherwise all we’d talk about is hockey,”

Ellington grumbles, holding out his hand to Bella. “I’m Caleb.”

And just to piss him off, I wink. “One of the best defensemen in the league.”

Ellington rolls his eyes as Valenti scoffs beside him, the best friend duo always grappling with each other.

“I think you’re forgetting Ellington isn’t the only one in the first line defense, Cap.” He leans forward, a charismatic smile spreading across his dark cheeks. “I’m Matteo, the one Caleb can’t defend without.”

Caleb chuckles. “Bit full of yourself tonight, Valenti.”

Cindy leans over. “Before you ask, yes, they’re always like this.”

Bella snorts as she takes a sip of her drink. “Nice to meet you all.

Although, Matteo…” At this, his head pops up, his smile widening. “Were you the one that sent that Twilight meme?”

His face falls along with his smile as laughter explodes around the booth.

“This is the skin of a killer, Bella,” Ellington imitates, tears pooling in his eyes with how hard he’s laughing.

Valenti glares my way. “Since when do we share the privacy of our group

chat?”

“Since forever,” Cindy deadpans.

Valenti’s jaw drops as he turns his accusatory glare to O’Connor. “You too?”

He shrugs, a wicked grin on his face. “We have no secrets.”

“It’s not a secret, it’s a group chat.” His eyes widen. “I’ve said some personal shit on there, O’Connor.”

“Oh, we know,” Cindy sing-songs before she bursts out cackling as Matteo’s face pales. “I’m just messing with you. He only shows me the funny stuff.”

His eyes narrow on O’Connor and then on me. “I’m going to get you back. Just wait.”

After taking a sip of his beer, he leans forward, the conversation suddenly forgotten as he turns his attention on my girlfriend. “So, Bella, what are your

intentions with our man?”

Ellington and O’Connor snort in sync.

Bella’s brows rise. “Nothing short of good.”

Valenti nods along. “I like to hear it. I like to hear it.”

I shake my head, laughing. “Go on, get all your questions out now. I can practically see them in your eyes.”

Ellington leans forward, the first to break. “Why did you start working as his assistant?”

“Jesus Christ, here they go again,” Cindy mutters into her wine.

Bella’s lips part in shock before she answers, “Because I was fired from my last one and his was the only well-paying job.”

Valenti’s eyes cut to mine. “She’s truthful, I like it.”

“It’s not a job interview,” I remind him.

Ellington holds up a hand, silencing me. “Why were you fired?”

Valenti sits back, pointing the top of his beer bottle at her. “Ooh, that’s a good question. Did you steal from the company?”

“What? Of course not. I worked in tech as their designer and they were

too trigger happy on hiring people.”

Valenti frowns. “That’s…boring.”

Bella chokes out a laugh. “I’m sorry my firing story isn’t more entertaining.”

“Past boyfriends?” Ellington asks, truly taking on the role of questioning her seriously.

“In college.”

“Criminal record?”

“No. I doubt Lucy would’ve hired me if I had one.”

“Too true. The woman is as ballsy as they come.” He slumps back, pondering. “What about hockey? Are you a fan?”

That silences everyone around the booth.

Bella’s cheeks warm. “Honestly? No, I’m sorry.”

Valenti hoots in triumph before high-fiving Ellington. “We have a winner, my friends!”

Cindy rolls her eyes before leaning over to Bella and whispering, “They just don’t like puck bunnies moving into the circle. You passed their test.”

Bella’s eyes widen as her head whips back to my teammates, now onto an entirely new topic. As soon as they get into one of their heated debates, I tune them out.

O’Connor holds up a finger. “I would like to state for the record that I did

not ask any questions.”

“Noted,” Bella teases.

As a server walks past, I quickly stop her and order a Coke, suddenly feeling awkward to be the only one without a drink in my hand.

Bella peers down at her drink before returning those big brown eyes to me, her brows furrowing in concern. “Should I be doing this in front of you?

Are you okay? I’m more than happy to pour it out.”

Without waiting for a response, Bella turns to Valenti, who’s frowning at Ellington, and slides her glass of wine toward him. “Here, some sweetness to brighten up your sourness.”

Ellington chokes on his beer as O’Connor bursts out laughing.

Bella sits back once more, nestling within the confines of my warmth, a pleased smile stretching across her face before she pulls out a pack of gum and plops one in her mouth.

Dropping my head, my lips brush the shell of her ear, and with such delight I note how the move elicits goosebumps down her arms. “Thank you,” I whisper.

I’m grateful beyond words that I didn’t have to express I was uncomfortable. I clear my throat and pointedly ignore the ribbing my teammates try to get her into. I cut in, “How was watching your first hockey game?”

Ellington and Valenti’s brows rise in sync. “This was your first game?”

O’Connor lifts his drink. “Glad we put on a good show for you.”

Cindy whistles. “And show it was. That was a great start to the season, boys.”

Nobody says it and they don’t have to. Everyone besides Bella is extremely aware of how severely I was lacking before. It’s a miracle I scored

once, let alone twice.

Perhaps Bella is my lucky charm.

She beams as she tucks a lock of her brown hair behind her ear. “I honestly loved it. I feel like I’ve been missing out. It’s so fast-paced I felt like my heart was going to fly out of my chest.” She gasps, her eyes widening slightly. “And the violence and fighting! I never knew it was so physical besides the skating.”

O’Connor grins at me over Cindy’s head. “You’ve gone and converted

her.”

“Not a bad sport to be converted to.”

Cindy grins at Bella and the girls fall into a random fit of laughter. I look to my teammates for answers. “Any clue?”

“I’ve known her since she was in diapers and I still don’t understand half the shit she says. You just have to go along with it and nod,” O’Connor says

over their laughter.

Cindy elbows him. “Hey!”

He smirks down at her, love very clearly written in his gaze as he kisses her forehead, effectively silencing whatever Cindy was going to say next.

The women fall into such an easy conversation something in my chest warms. I knew Bella would be perfect for this arrangement. Something within me just knew she would fit in.

Although, now I’m worried she might have slipped in too perfectly.

What happens when this is all over and we have to end things?

Cindy and Bella exchange numbers as the evening wraps up, the pair promising to get coffee over the weekend before the next home game.

Everyone flowed into such easy banter I forgot to do the rounds, forgot that she isn’t my real girlfriend and that the entire point of her presence here tonight was to introduce her to the entire team and convince them all.

All I successfully managed to do was forget that this isn’t real. At least for a short period of time.

Reality always has a way of crashing down around me.

Bella and Cindy hug their goodbyes while I see my teammates off. At

first, I get a few puzzled yet excited expressions as I do so, and it takes until I’m saying goodbye to Mitchel for it to truly sink in.

This is what I used to do.

I used to come to the celebratory drinks, have one or two and take care of my friends. I used to send off my teammates and watch over them if a puck bunny had a history.

This is the Grayson I used to be before my life came crumbling down.

I slipped back into the past version of myself so easily it frightens me. I don’t want to forget what happened to Drew, which only occurred because I was careless and I wasn’t watching out for him.

That version of myself was so naïve it was dangerous.

I’m in my head by the time I move back to the booth and wrap my arm around Bella. In fact, I don’t even realize I’m no longer steering Bella.

Instead, she’s maneuvering me into an Uber, and when I finally look around, I realize we’re already halfway home.

An apology is on the tip of my tongue, but it seems I’m not the only one in my head.

“Are you sleeping with puck bunnies?” Bella blurts out, making our Uber driver choke.

GRAYSON

good game boys!

let’s keep it up

THEO IRVING

aye aye Captain

GRAYSON

*Crawford