Page 81 of Released from the Sin Bin

“I want to go home.” I pick up the pace so he can’t leave without me. “You brought me here, so you’re responsible for taking me home.”

“Willa,” he stops at the rear of his car to face me, “I’m not taking you home.”

“Then I’m going wherever you are.” I brush past him to the front door, but he stops me from opening it with a soft push of his hand against my waist.

“We had a fun ride, but you have your friends. You don’t need me anymore.” He stands against the door to stop me. “No one wants me in there or around you.”

“I do.” I stand my ground to show him I’m not leaving. He can push all he wants. I’m not leaving.

“I don’t want to be around you when you’re like that,” he yells out, pointing to the restaurant. But immediately stops himself by running his hand through his dark chestnut hair.

“Yeah, they didn’t like me like that either.” I guess no one likes the new me I was trying to be.

“What?” he snaps and rises from leaning against his car door.

“I was trying something new. We weren’t talking about you. They were calling me out for acting differently, and thought it was because of you.”

“That’s bullshit.” He sneers, looking out at the doors.

“Do I look that bad?” I look down at my ripped jeans and baggy sweater under my puffy coat. I thought it looked cute when I got dressed.

“No.” Carter raises my chin and tucks my short hair behind my ears. “You look great, but you were being so quiet and eating like a fucking dainty princess. I’m surprised you didn’t use a fork to eat your nachos.” I laugh and relax at his compliment. “That’s not you.”

“They said the same thing.”

“Do you want me to kick their asses?” He lets go of my face.

“What? No.” I grab his arms to stop him from walking back.

“I don’t like that they were talking bad about you. Me, I can handle, but I’ll fuck them up for saying that about you.”

“Stop.” I hold him back. “They weren’t saying it in a bad way. They were concerned because I was acting weird. I spent the last three years being Vic’s girl, Luca’s chick friend, or that hockey bitch. Now, I’m no one. I’m not Vic’s girl. Luca is gone, and I can’t play hockey either.”

“You’re a badass coach.” He raises my chin again with his knuckle. “And you’re Willa. Just be yourself.”

“I don’t know who that is anymore. I don’t know myself.” I let that sink in. I have no idea who I am. I was always about playing hockey. I gave it my life, and then I gave those other pieces of myself to Vic.

He consumed every other part of me. I don’t know who I am without him. Even if I still have hockey, who am I outside that rink?

“Do you want to go back inside?” Carter bends down to get eye level and checks my face for a response.

“Are you going to leave? I’m not letting you go get your ass kicked.” I punch his shoulder, annoyed that he was planning to go home, knowing he’d get hit. If he wants someone to beat his ass, I’d gladly do it. At least I won’t hurt him.

Carter laughs and licks his teeth, avoiding my eyes so he can try to lie, but I rise on my toes so he can’t look away.

“You’re on to me.”

“I saw your phone.” I widen my stance to block him from running if he tries.

“Fine, I won’t go.” He shrugs like it’s not killing him to stay. “Shall we go eat some cold, soggy nachos if they’re still there?”

My face scrunches up as I look back at the restaurant. “I’m hungry, but I don’t want to go back inside. Those nachos were gross.”

Carter laughs and shakes his head. “C’mon, our restaurant is still open if you’re up for a walk.”

“Yes, sir.” I slip my arm through his and let him lead the way to the best damn tacos in town.

I’m more nervous than the guys are as they come out to the ice for warmups. It’s my first game as a coach on the team and if something goes wrong, it’ll be my fault.

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