Page 68 of Falling

“No, I definitely will go.” Charlie laughs with a huge grin. Right answer. “You probably wouldn’t believe it, but I used to skate as a kid. I wasn’t very good, but I appreciate the sport.”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t have guessed,” Wren says.

Charlie smiles at her and turns to me.

“Funny question, actually,” Charlie starts, rubbing the back of his neck. “If you’re dating Wren, does that mean Em is single?”

“She’s been single for almost a year, Charlie,” I huff. Wren does flinch at the mention of my ex. There’s not much of a story there to be told other than every guy on the team wanted her, even when she was with me. “If you’re asking for my permission to date her, then sure. I really couldn’t care less.”

“Okay, cool. It’s just— You looked like you would kill anyone that even looked at her when you were dating, so I wanted to make sure.” Wren looks up at me with an evil smile, and I can tell she’s going to make fun of me later.

“Yeah, well, I don’t care anymore. If you want to date her, go ahead,” I say. I know that Emily would eat him alive, but I don’t say that. “The game is starting up again. We better get back to our seats.”

I don’t let him say bye before I turn around with my arm still around Wren. When we sit down, she nuzzles herself right back in my lap, and my breathing stops. For someone who loves physical touch so much, whenever she touches me, it feels different. It's uniquely hers, and it's slightly terrifying.

It feels like a slow, torturous, perfect way to die.

“Jealousandprotective. Wow, Davis. You really are something,” she whispers into my ear. As she draws back, the smell of her clouds my thoughts, and I don’t respond.

It would be too risky to tell her that I would protect her with my life. I would never let anything, or anyone, hurt her.

When we score another goal, Wren and I both get out of our seats and cheer, the excitement taking over us completely. Chaos erupts around us as the stadium grows loud with chants and cheers. She jumps into my arms and hugs me tight. I kiss her quickly before pulling away. Her eyes widen in shock for a moment before she returns her celebratory smile to the rest of the team.

This is easy.

We can do this.

The locker roomis loud and chaotic when I walk in. Most of the guys are still in their jerseys, spraying water around as they whoop and yell. There is no better feeling than winning a game alongside your best friends. When they see me, they start cheering even louder.

“Look who decided to show up,” Harry announces, gesturing toward me, looking out of place in my jeans and hoodie.

“You guys did good. Could have been better if I was there though.” I laugh. Tyler Vaughan stalks toward me, patting me on the back.

“No need to get cocky, dude. You need to get back out there. This season is going to be a nightmare without you,” he says, rolling his eyes at the rest of the team before slipping away into the showers.

“It’s up to Coach. I’m still training and getting my head back in the game. Coach just needs to give me the all-clear,” I reply, shrugging. All of the team nod in agreement.

Then Jake starts laughing hysterically from the corner of the room. Who the fuck does he think he is? Is he a villain in a kid's movie? Everyone’s heads turn to him as he makes himself the center of attention. Like always.

Jake and I were good friends in first year. We both got onto the team, and, like all my other teammates, we bonded instantly. Carter was never really a fan of his. He always thought Jake was too much for the team. He has too much chaotic energy and not in a good way. He always took things a step too far, especially during prank week.

Then he started dating anyone he could get his hands on. He dated Scarlett, which didn’t last very long when he cheated on her. Considering who her family is, he’s lucky he got away without a scratch. He’s a machine on the ice, which is the only reason anyone on this team tolerates him.

“Are you, Davis? Because I haven’t seen you on the ice in months,” he drawls, stepping closer to me. I swallow, feeling the rage and nausea at the same time.

“Dude, calm down. No one has been feeling it since Carter died, especially Miles. They were practically brothers. Just leave it, and fuck off,” Xavier cuts in, coming to my rescue.

“Don’t give me that dead friend bullshit. If Davis wanted to play, he would have by now. Instead, he’s too busy fucking around with his girlfriend,” he says, moving closer in my face. I take a breath in, trying to calm myself down. I can’t fuck this up for myself now. “What’s her name? Wren? Hacks’s kid?”

“Keep her name out of your mouth, Callahan,” I bite out, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. I feel bile rising in my throat, but I swallow it. I’ve never felt this kind of anger and exhaustion all at the same time. I hate the way it makes my pulse quicken and my jaw clench. I hate the way he thinks he can talk about my girl with no repercussions.

“Or what? You going to go crying to Coach about it? Grow the fuck up, Miles. If you ever want to play in the pros, you’re going to have to stop moping over Carter and stop drooling over that whore. If you’re not careful, she might follow in her friend’s footsteps.”

I get closer to him, our faces inches apart.

“Talk about her or her friends again and see what happens,” I bite out. An evil smile spreads across his face slowly. “I swear to God, Callahan, if you so much as breathe near her, I’ll crack your fucking head open.”

“Oh, shit.” He laughs. “Does she really fuck that good, Davis?”

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