Page 84 of Hate to Love You

I straighten to my full height, lifting my chin. If Reed is delusional enough to think he can intimidate me, he’s wrong. “What’s your problem?”

There’s an ugly twist to his lips as he skates a little closer, invading my space. “You’re the one who wasn’t paying attention, not me.”

I knock my gloves against his chest to back him up. I’m not afraid to throw down. Although, I have to say, out of all the teams I’ve played on, Reed is the first teammate I’ve openly had a conflict with. This isn’t the first time we’ve gotten into it, and it won’t be the last.

When I don’t say anything, he keeps running his mouth. I swear, that’s the only thing he’s good at.

“Must have pussy on the brain.”

I shake my head. The guy is a major douche. “Whatever you say, Collins.”

This isn’t the time or place to start something. If Reed wants to have a conversation, I’m more than happy to do it off the ice. Where Coach can’t see me kick his ass into next week. Because that’s exactly where this is headed if he keeps flapping his gums.

When I attempt to skate past him, he slides over, blocking my path. “Well, it can’t be Natalie you’re thinking about. That girl is like a starfish in bed. Bored me out of my fucking mind.”

I clench my jaw until it feels like it’s going to shatter. I curl my fingers inside my gloves, trying to calm the rage brewing inside. I’m this close to throwing a punch. And by the look on his face, he knows it. The little prick is just trying to set me off. I see it in his eyes.

“Shut your fucking mouth, Collins,” I growl. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His smirk widens into a grin as he taunts, “Just remember, that pussy belonged to me first. Do us all a favor and teach her what to do with that pretty little mouth of hers. I could deal with a lousy lay if a girl can give a decent blow job. Maybe when you’re finished with her, I’ll have another go. She can’t be any worse than before.” He shrugs like we’re just shooting the shit, having a normal conversation. “You know what virgin pussy is like. Takes awhile to break in. Didn’t have the patience for it.”

And just like that, my temper ignites like a fucking powder keg. All rational thought disappears. I don’t think about what I’m doing. Or the consequences of my actions. I throw my gloves to the ice and swing. I land two solid punches to his face. I’m going for a third when someone steps in and pries me off him.

Reed touches his nose and looks down at the blood soaking his fingers. I huff and puff, struggling against the hold they’ve got me locked in. All I want to do is hit him again.

“Settle your ass down, McKinnon,” Luke growls in my ear.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Sawyer demands from the other side.

Coach blows his whistle. It’s sharp and short. Everyone freezes. The sound of my labored breathing is all that fills my ears.

“Fuck,” Luke mutters. “You’ve really stepped in it this time. Hope it was worth it.”

I glare at Reed, taking in the blood smeared under his nose and on his practice jersey. “It was.”

“Get your ass over here, McKinnon,” Coach bellows. His voice echoes off the walls of the arena.

“What the hell did Collins say to you?” Luke asks.

He knows me well enough to realize that if I went after Reed, there was a reason for it.

I shake my head. I don’t even want to repeat the words. Goddamn it. I should have skated away instead of standing there and listening to the shit spewing from his pie hole. I made a tactical error, and now I’m going to pay the fucking price.

I jerk out of Luke and Sawyer’s hold and pick up my gloves before skating over to the benches where the coaching staff stands huddled together. I glance at the defensive line coach and see the disappointment swimming in his eyes.

“Get off my ice, McKinnon. You’re done for today,” Coach barks.

Head hanging, I don’t say a word. I just leave.

Chapter Thirty

Natalie

There’s a knock on the apartment door. Launching myself from the couch where I’ve been studying, I jog over and open it. I’m surprised to find Brody on the other side. He usually texts before showing up.

Energy zips through me as my eyes run over the length of him. I can’t help myself. Everything feels different between us now that we’ve slept together.

He looks, in a word, delicious. I can honestly say I never thought there’d come a day when I would lust after Brody. And here I am, totally doing just that.

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