Page 37 of Boarded Hearts

I check my phone. Still no reply, and she hasn’t even read it. Shit.

“You coming to Riley’s tonight?” Zach asks with a hopeful look in his eye.

It’s then I take in his outfit. Zach is a good-looking guy, and tonight he’s dressed with purpose in a tailored suit and his hair is styled. He’s out to drown himself in beer and, at my best guess, pussy too. My best friend has never done hookups, and at the look in his eyes, he needs someone to accompany him and make sure he doesn’t do anything, or anyone, too stupid tonight.

“Yeah, why not. Gimme five, and I’ll meet you out in the parking lot.” I grab my bag and pull out my phone again, scrolling for Felicity’s number.

“I’ll drive,” I tell Zach.

He throws me an appreciative smile before exiting the locker room.

I’m walking down the private hallway on my way out toward my car when I dial Felicity. She’s still not seen my text, and an uneasy feeling comes over me. I don’t know whether she’s ignoring me or genuinely hasn’t seen my message, but either way, I don’t like it.

Finally, she answers on the last ring.“Hello?” I can barely hear her, the sound of voices and blaring music overpowering her soft voice.

“It’s Jon. Are you okay? Where are you? Are you alone?” The questions spill out of me in a panicked tone I can’t hide. I’m powerless when it comes to this girl. It’s clear she’s in a bar somewhere, without me. She looked stunning at the game today; tight blue jeans, a white sweater, and a black leather jacket with her signature emerald scarf popping the color in her eyes. Guys are going to be all over her.

I throw the double doors open to the players’ parking lot and spot Zach leaning against my car waiting for me.

“Where are you?” I repeat, almost shouting now, my voice sounding way harsher than I intend.

“Hang on,” she yells. I hear a few more voices and Felicity replying before the noise dies down, replaced with traffic and horns.

“Ugh, that’s better. I can actually hear you now,” she huffs out.

“Where are you? I messaged you, but you didn’t reply.” I pop the trunk on my car, and Zach throws his bag in before we both get in and my phone connects to the Bluetooth system.

“Oh sorry, didn’t see that. I’m in some bar with Kate. We came here for a few drinks and food. Sorry we didn’t wait, but Kate saw Jensen after the game, and he mentioned you would be coming here and?—”

“So where are you?” I cut her off and feel like an absolute asshole. Jesus, what’s gotten into me, and why am I so tightly wound up?

“Alright, cool your jets, Grandma. We’re in um...” She pauses, clearly checking where she is, and I inwardly chuckle. She’s so fucking cute. “Riley’s,” she finally confirms.

“Yeah, Jensen would be right then.” I crank the engine on my Porsche, pleased with my choice of car so I can get to her and the lecherous men as quickly as possible.

“We’ll be there in ten, baby,” I confirm, tagging on the baby because fuck it. I’m done messing around.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

JON

We get there in nine minutes.

Throwing my car into park directly in front of the bar, Zach and I hop out, immediately attracting attention from those smoking and loitering outside. Ideally, I shouldn’t park my car in public sight, but I’m done caring. I just want to get inside.

“Step it down a gear, buddy.” Zach plants his palm on my shoulder, halting my advance toward the entrance. “You can’t head in there all guns blazing. You and I both know she’s understated and won’t appreciate the captain of the Scorpions flying in to stake his claim.”

I deflate because he’s right. I need to relax and while I still have no claim over her, the thought of her talking or even flirting with another man ignites a fire, singeing me from the inside.

The bar is absolutely heaving, bodies everywhere, but thankfully, security recognizes us immediately and escorts us to a reserved booth at the back. I fully expect to see Felicity with the rest of the team, but she’s nowhere to be seen. Kate is, though, sitting next to Jensen, the pair of them getting close.

“Where is she?” I ask Kate. I know I sound like a dick, but that seems to be my default these days when it comes to my girl and making sure she’s okay.

“Well, hello to you, too.” Kate waves a sarcastic hand in front of me, and Jensen snickers next to her. This girl has sass in spades, and it might just be that our goalie’s met his match.

I pull at the back of my neck, trying to steady myself. “Yeah, sorry, I just want to make sure she’s okay. It’s packed with God knows who in here.”

“She’s fine,” Kate drawls, tipping her glass in the direction of the bar. “She’s ordering a?—”

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