Page 54 of Always My Comfort

“He did what?”Logan screeched in my ear. Pulling the phone from my ear, I focused on my locker, checking my gear. Practice started in ten minutes, and I wanted her to know everything was okay.

“Don’t wait for me today. Let Scarlett take you home. I’ll shower and be right there; I promise.”

“The doctor told you I was alright and so is our boy. I’m going to be there today, and you bet your damn ass I’ll be waiting for you with the rest of the women.” Grinning at the picture of her in my locker, my heart soared.

“I love you, sweetheart.”

“More, cowboy. Now, go kick some ass. I’ll be there later. Just look for the girl wearing your numbers. Wait—I bet there are a lot of girls wearing your shirt. Well, shit,” she started to ramble, and my grin widened.

“Trust me, Logan, I’ll find you. I’ll always find you in a crowd. Plus, none of the other girls are carryin’ my son.”

* * *

After the game,I showered quickly and rushed out to get to my girl. Outside the locker room, I saw her, her black hair pulled back into a ponytail, my jersey pulled tight over her rounding belly. Scarlett was standing beside her, her arm linked with Logan, with Matt standing behind them.

Even though she was surrounded, it didn’t stop Richard, who was a few feet in front of me, from charging at her. I pushed past fans and other players to get them.

“You fucking bitch! You told him everything! You weren’t supposed to tell anyone about Kyle, yet you couldn’t keep your mouth shut. You and I were together to clean up my image, yet you’ve ruined it!” He was screaming. Heads were turning in their direction. And my girl wasn’t cowering back from him.

Her green eyes were slitted in a glare, and her cheeks were flushed, betraying her embarrassment of him for making a scene.

I dropped my bag to run faster and slid between him and her just as he raised his hand to push her. I absorbed it, standing my ground. Her small hands were at my back, gripping the fabric of my shirt.

“Get away from her,” I gritted, but his anger only intensified.

“Oh, look here—the star of the game, Jaxon Dexter. Fucking bane of my existence. Stealing my position, my team, my girl—what next?” The rest of the team was slowly coming to stand at my side, but it did nothing to stop Richard’s anger. “At least I had her first. When you fuck her next, just think—I’ve already been there!” I saw red just as Logan’s hand slid around my torso, trying to hold me back.

“Don’t do it. Don’t—don’t. Please don’t!” she cried, her touch grounding me. I fought every cell in my body that wanted to knock this chump on his ass. She didn’t deserve this.

She was so much better than his cruel words.

“You need to leave, Balmer,” I told him, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. We were chest to chest, the scent of stale sweat wafting off him.

“Didn’t know you let a bitch control your dick,” he kept pushing, but Logan was wrapped around me, and if moved, I would only hurt her, our baby, and my future.

He wasn’t worth it.

“Balmer, get your shit and get out of my stadium now!” Rick yelled from the entrance to the tunnel, where a few paparazzi were holding up cameras, and fans were recording with their phones.

We had made a big scene, but Balmer was the fool. I was just a man protecting his girl.

Two security guards stepped up behind Balmer and pulled him away as he spit at me, seething and still screaming his threats. I turned in Logan’s arms, and she snaked her arms around my neck, her fingers sinking into my hair.

I cradled her face, taking in her perfect pink lips, flushed cheeks, and frantic eyes. “It’s over. He’s gone. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, sweetheart.” I pressed a kiss to her temple just as the first sob escaped her chest.

I pressed her face into my chest as she began to cry. Her words were muffled, but her fingers tightened around me. So, I held her closer to my body, hiding her from the view of any cameras.

“Got your bag, man,” Matt mumbled. I saw him standing behind Logan with Scarlett under his arm. She was crying, too, but her eyes were solely focused on her best friend.

I nodded at him in thanks before returning my focus to Logan.

“He won’t hurt you again. He’s gone, Logan. He’s gone, baby.” She craned her neck to look at me, and I saw the fear in her eyes slowly drain away to anger.

“I’m not scared of him; I was scared for you, Jaxon! I thought he was going to hurt you!” This beautiful woman. I didn’t deserve her.

“I can handle a crazy like him.” She shook her head.

“Your career—he was going to ruin it if you fought him. I didn’t want to be the reason you lost your purpose.” Sliding my fingers through her silky thick hair, I inhaled her sweet scent.

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