Page 96 of The Love You Win

“All right, then. I’ll take you home. You and Mira will have all the time in the world for sleepovers now.”

“Mm, okay.” She burrows back into my body and closes her eyes. “That sounds good.”

Guilt at keeping her out so late nibbles at my chest. I’ll just have to bring her coffee tomorrow. And some donuts. Maybe I’ll bring enough to stock the teachers’ lounge.

“Let’s get you home, baby.”

forty-four

MADDOX

I knew there’d be fallout from what happened at last night’s game, but knowing it’s coming and seeing it come to pass are entirely separate beasts.

“Jesus.” Mira shakes her head, a frown twisting her lips. “What the hell is wrong with people?” She’s reading the comments on an article slamming the Rogues for our loss last night. And unfortunately, Isla’s mentioned by name as my unconfirmed girlfriend. Because, of course, they had to cover my altercation with the assholes sitting near her.

“Don’t read the comments. You know this.”

Her familiar green eyes lift to meet mine. “This is different. You need to know what people are saying about Isla so you can figure out how to best support her. All of this attention is new to her. You may be used to brushing off asshole-ish comments, but she’s not.”

Shit.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I give my sister a nod. “All right. What are they saying?”

“The kind of garbage you’d expect. That she’s a distraction. She’s the reason the team lost, and you didn’t play your best. People are commenting on her looks, her weight, her hair… basically picking her apart. Then there are the guys commenting about how they’d fuck her, or calling her a gold-digger, or a slut or whatever.” Mira’s face twists in disgust. “Same shit, different day, Maddy.”

Rage bubbles in my gut. I’ll never understand what makes people think their opinions matter. Or why these armchair assholes believe they have anything to contribute when they wouldn’t last five minutes in a rink. Candace always loved attention. Good or bad, it didn’t matter as long as her name and face were splashed across the internet. But Isla? She’s different.

Mira’s right. I need to help her navigate this, or I could end up losing her.

Maybe we need to keep a low profile for a while. At least until the team is playing more consistently. The last thing I want is for Isla to be subjected to jeering assholes with unwanted opinions.

But shit. I promised I’d take her to that fall festival. She was excited about that.

I’ll just have to think of something fun and romantic to do at my place. Hell, we could have a candle-lit dinner and carve pumpkins. Make our own fall festival. One where she’s safe and able to let loose.

My phone buzzes with an incoming text.

Isla

Everyone’s looking at me funny. When I grabbed a coffee before school this morning, some guy called me a bitch. What the hell?

My fist clenches and it’s a struggle not to crush my phone.

Me

I’m so sorry, Short-Stack. Are you okay? He didn’t touch you, did he?

Isla

No. But it did kinda scare me.

Do you want me to pick you up from work today?

There’s a pause as Isla types her response.

Isla

No, that’s okay. Thank you. I’m pretty beat. Would you be mad if I went home and slept today? I know tomorrow is Mira’s last day before she goes back to grab her stuff, so I’ll definitely hang out tomorrow. I’m just tired.

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