Page 84 of Ice Me Baby

Growling, I ask, “What the fuck happened to your face?”

He shrugs. “My face may have made contact with a fist… or two. I’m fine. How’s our boy?”

Huffing, I look back down. “You’re Dean when you are in trouble. Just like Oli is Mac when he’s in trouble at work. Among other things. I think he has a concussion. I can’t get him to stay awake.”

“Coming through!”

I look up to find a few medics with a spinal board. They shuffle to slide up on his other side. The medic in front of me smiles softly as he says, “I got him.”

I nod and allow the medic to take over with Mac. Just then he rouses, mumbling, “Chérie.”

“It’s okay. It’s okay, the medics will take care of you now.”

He’s agitated as he pleads,“Reste avec, moi Chérie.”

I’ve never hated not understanding French more than right now. Dean thankfully translates for me. “He said, stay with me, darling.”

My chest tightens as Mac reaches out for me. I take his hand, giving it a squeeze which causes the medics to pause. “They need to take you to the hospital, Mac. I’ll be there as soon as I can, but I need to take care of the other boys too. You listen to the doctors and do as they say.”

His eyes are still unfocused when they try to meet mine. “Promesse?”

I nod.“Promesse.”

Mac gives my hand another light squeeze before he lets go. His gaze moves to Dean beside me.“Botter le cul.”

Lewi laughs. “Like I wouldn’t kick their ass for hurting our goalie.”

Mac attempts a grin as the medics take him away. Immediately, I’m engulfed in Dean’s arms. My face smashed against his padded chest. I try to sound reprimanding as I say, “You shouldn’t be hugging me like this in front of everyone.”

His voice is soft when he says, “Shut up, and let me hug you.”

My hands grip the back of his jersey as he holds me on the ice. A voice behind me yells, “We need to continue the game. Please, get off the ice.”

Dean’s arms tighten around me once more as he growls, “We just lost a goalie! Fuck off!”

I chuckle and pat his back. “It’s okay. You need to finish the game. Win for Mac.” I turn to the voice behind me to find the ref. “I’m sorry. I’ll make my way off the ice.”

He grunts and skates away. I head back to the bench when Manny, our other goalie, skates up beside me. He gives me a soft, playful shoulder punch. “Don’t worry too much about him, Roe Roe.”

Laughing, I give him a punch back. “Just protect the net. And don’t get hurt. Danni can’t afford to lose her goalie too.”

He gives me a salute as he skates away. The players give me a pat on the back as I head to my designated spot to watch the rest of the game. Danni bumps my shoulder as she asks quietly, “You good?”

The adrenaline is starting to wear off, and my hands won't stop shaking. Shoving them in my jacket pockets, I give her a nod. “Yeah. I’m good.”

She snorts. “No you’re not, but I’ll let you keep believing that. For your sake.”

Biting my lip, I watch as the game continues. Shouts and screams surround us as I admit, “I think… I think I like him.”

Danni laughs as she moves in closer. “Anyone with eyes can tell you like him. You'd have to be blind not to notice the way he looks at you. Even Lewi smiles for you, and that man doesn’t smile for anyone.”

I side-eye her to gauge her thoughts about the two guys who appear to like me. Her smile is wide, and she rolls her eyes. “I’m not going to judge you for liking them both if that’s what you’re afraid of. Nor am I going to tell anyone that there is somethinggoing on between the three of you. It’s none of my business so long as you do your job. But don’t lie to yourself. You more than like them.”

“Ugh… this is turning into such a mess,” I grumble.

She shrugs. “Love is messy.”

“I could get fired for this! I shouldn’t be with either of them, let alone love them!”

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