Page 87 of The Runaway

I throw my arms around “my man” when the other team steps off the ice. The other Queens surrounding the champions in their own way.

Chase lifts me up in a spin and kisses me—and I embrace it, wondering how much of this is fake anymore.

He sets me down and cups my cheeks. “That was for them.” His eyes dip to my lips. “This one’s for us.” Holding my face, he leans down and kisses me softly.

“To our Kings.” Coach Riley lifts his pint glass at the Players Pub, across the street from the arena. The team has the VIP room exclusively reserved nearly every game night. But it’s my first time here.

“And their Queens,” Lonnie adds. Her petite frame holding her own between the two coaches.

“And their Queens.” Coach nods in agreement, clinking his glass with hers and a few players.

“Admit it, you’d be nowhere without us,” M.J. shouts, holding up her shot glass.

The boys grumble somewhat of an agreement as the girls cheer.

Chase hooks my waist and pulls me against him, whispering in my ear, “You weren’t bad tonight, Woods.”

I stayed behind for the first intermission, joining Ruby and Jess with flyers and merch. But Tracy dragged me out for the second, and I couldn’t hesitate. I can’t let anyone know I’m…let’s call it…camera-shy.

We dodged a bullet from the other night with all the social media posts being far enough away from my face that no one looking for me would recognize it.

I melt into his touch. The one that’s felt right since my first night back. “Getting the hang of it. You know you weren’t so bad yourself.”

He wraps his other arm around me and glances around us. “How’d you sleep last night?”

I fell asleep in Chase’s arms last night after we drove in late from town.

“Any nightmares?”

I shake my head. “None. You?”

His face flattens and he steps back, breaking contact. Breaking the connection we’ve just started to form. “No.”

My hands itch to pull him back, but I don’t. I know better than to rush someone who’s not ready to talk about the dreams keeping them up at night. Still, I can’t help but feel the trust is entirely one sided.

I slide off my chair with a grin. “I’m going to go find the ladies’ room.”

He closes the distance again. “You okay?”

“Of course. Just…gotta go.”

“Right. I’ll walk you.”

“I can walk. I did cross the country all on my own too, by the way.”

He steps back and winks before I turn away. Wishing he’d let me comfort him the way he has me.

Tracy and Lena see me headed to the back and fall in line with me. “Hey, girl, you and Reeves want to join the party soon?” Tracy teases.

I laugh them off. “We’re at the party.”

“Hardly. You all are tucked in your own corner, whispering with your little secrets.”

“We don’t have secrets,” I retort.

She waves me off. “Well. I’ve got news. Are you ready? This is big. I am next month’s cover of Sport It Up and I’m allowed to pick a team member to be in the issue with me.” She takes my hands and starts to jump.

My head bobs along, but I don’t jump with her. “Wha—what is that?”

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