Page 24 of Ice-Cold Truth

He pauses in the doorway with one hand braced on the frame as he glances back at me over his shoulder. For an endless moment, our gazes lock, a thousand unspoken words passing between us in that heated silence.

Just like that, the spell is broken. He gives me a curt nod, his expression unreadable once more. “We’ll talk more later” is all he says before disappearing from sight, leaving me alone with my whirling thoughts and the lingering tingle of his kiss still burning on my skin.

Chapter 11: Jack

The movie theater’s dimly lit lobby feels almost intimate as I stand beside Elyse, waiting for Sam to return with our snacks. An awkward silence hangs between us after our earlier disagreement about her investigating the Firebirds. I’m sure that’s why Sam suggested this outing, to try to bridge the gap between us and Elyse, and it’s the only reason I’m standing here. It’s probably the same for her.

She fidgets, and I take a deep breath. “I acted like a jerk earlier. I had no right to blow up at you like that.”

She meets my gaze, those olive eyes sparkling with understanding. “No, you didn’t, but you were just trying to protect the team. I get that.”

“Still, the way I spoke to you was uncalled for.” I reach out, my fingers grazing her arm. A jolt of electricity shoots through me at the contact. “You were only doing your job. I respect your dedication, even if it puts us at odds on this.”

A small smile tugs at the corners of her full lips. “Thank you for saying that. I never want there to be tension between us.”

The words are loaded with the growing intimacy neither of us can deny any longer. My gaze drifts to her mouth, and I remember how soft those lips are against mine.

Before I can overthink it, I cup her face in my palm and pull her toward me. Our mouths meet in a tentative, exploring kiss that quickly deepens into heated passion. Her hands clutch at my shirt as our bodies press together. I’m vaguely aware of someone clearing their throat nearby.

We break apart, both of us flushed. Sam stands a few feet away, an amused smirk on his face as he juggles our drinks and a tub of popcorn. “Should I come back later or…?”

Heat rises in my cheeks, but I can’t resist shooting Sam a cocky grin. Wrapping an arm around Elyse’s waist, I possessively pull her against my side. “Nah, we’re good. Lead the way, Masterson.”

Sam shakes his head in mock exasperation but heads toward the theater entrance. As we follow, Elyse leans in close, her lips brushing my ear. “I’m glad we got that out of the way.”

I chuckle. For the first time in a long while, I feel light and carefree

***

The next night, I take a long sip of my beer as Sam settles onto the barstool next to me. The dimly lit sports bar is mostly empty this late on a weeknight, giving us a semblance of privacy.

“So…” He arches an eyebrow at me. “You and Elyse, huh? How long has that been going on?”

I shrug one shoulder, feigning nonchalance. “Not that long, honestly. It just sort of…happened. We went from fake it to make it,” I say with a careless grin. “It’s your fault, if you think about it.” That’s not really true though. Even if Sam hadn’t suggestedwe fake-date for the press, I’m sure we would have still been drawn to each other through a different way.

Sam nods, studying me intently. “I can’t say I’m surprised. The way you two look at each other…” He trails off with a wry chuckle. “Just don’t break her heart, man. She’s tougher than she looks, but still…. She’s young and never had a serious relationship. I don’t want to see your inherent grumpiness stifle her sunshine.”

“I’d never intentionally hurt her.” The words tumble out, surprising even me. Clearing my throat, I take another pull of my drink. “Listen, there’s something you should know…” Sam waits patiently as I gather my thoughts. Finally, I meet his gaze head-on. “Karina showed up again recently.”

His expression darkens instantly. “That psycho ex of yours? Seriously?”

I nod grimly. “Saw her outside the arena after our last home game. She tried to approach me, but I shut that down quick.”

“Dammit, Jack.” Sam slams his fist on the bar, making our glasses rattle. “After all the shit she put you through? You can’t let her worm her way back into your life again.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I snap, then force myself to take a calming breath. “Believe me, I have no intention of letting Karina anywhere near me or…” I hesitate briefly. “Or Elyse.”

The thought of Karina anywhere near Elyse makes my blood run cold. That woman is unhinged, obsessive, and manipulative to the core. I won’t let her toxicity taint what Elyse and I are building.

He seems to read my mind. “You really care about her, don’t you?” When I don’t respond right away, he presses on. “Look, man, I get being gun-shy after what happened with Karina. She messed you up, but Elyse…” A fond smile plays at his lips. “My sister is someone special. Don’t let your past demons ruin your chance at happiness.”

His words resonate. For so long, I’ve been merely going through the motions but never allowing myself to open up or get too attached. Karina’s betrayal shattered what little faith I had in love, and her behavior afterward made it easier to stop trying than to put dates through her craziness.

But Elyse is different. From the moment we met, she awoke something in me I thought was long dead. Her warmth, her light, and her unshakable optimism—it’s like she breathed new life into my world.

“You’re right,” I say, staring into my glass. “She is special, and I’ll be damned if I let Karina or anyone else ruin this for me.”

Draining the last of my beer, I slide off the barstool with renewed determination. “I’m not gonna hide or run away this time. Whatever happens with Elyse, I’m all in.”

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