Page 38 of Ice-Cold Truth

He opens his mouth to protest, but I silence him with a look. “No arguments. I’m not letting you suffer like this.”

He holds my gaze for a moment, his steel-gray eyes searching mine. Finally, he relents with a weary sigh. “All right. Let’s go.”

The drive back to the apartment is tense with Jack’s labored breathing filling the silence. As soon as we’re inside, I guide him to the couch, gently easing him down onto the cushions.

“I’ll get some ice,” says Sam, disappearing into the kitchen.

I kneel beside Jack, brushing the damp hair from his forehead. “Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad?”

He grimaces, his hand instinctively cradling his injured shoulder. “Didn’t want to worry you.”

“You can’t keep doing this to yourself,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “You’re only making it worse.”

He averts his gaze, his jaw tightening. “I have to play. The team needs me.”

“Not like this.” I shake my head. “You’re risking permanent damage.”

Sam returns with an ice pack, handing it to me. I carefully place it on Jack’s shoulder, and he winces at the cold pressure.

“Listen to her, man,” Sam says, his tone serious. “This isn’t worth throwing your career away.”

Jack falls silent, his eyes closed as he tries to breathe through the pain. I lean in closer, my hand resting on his knee.

“I don’t want to be without you,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “Please, let me help you.”

His eyes flutter open, meeting mine with a vulnerability I’ve never seen before. “I was being stupid,” he admits. “I should have listened to you.”

His eyes widen in surprise as I lean in, my lips finding his in a passionate kiss. He hesitates for only a moment before his mouth moves eagerly against mine, returning the kiss with a hunger that matches my own.

My fingers twist into his sandy blond hair, pulling him closer as the kiss deepens. His calloused hand cups the back of my head, tangling in my dark tresses. I pour all of my swirling emotions into that kiss—the frustration and fear I’ve felt since learning of his injury, the ache of potentially losing him, and my irritation that he decided to end things between us because of Karina.

Jack responds with equal intensity. When we finally break for air, both of us are breathing hard. Jack’s stormy eyes search my face, questioning. I offer a shaky smile.

“I’m not ready to let you go,” I whisper.

Jack’s expression softens. His thumb brushes my cheek, and he leans in, touching his forehead to mine.

“Neither am I,” he says before claiming my lips once more.

Sam clears his throat, a hint of amusement in his voice. “I’ll, uh, leave you two alone.”

I offer him a sheepish smile as he retreats to his room. Turning back to Jack, I brush my thumb across his stubbled jaw as I take a deep breath. “I have to tell you something.”

Chapter 17: Jack

The pain meds and ice have dulled the throbbing ache in my shoulder, allowing me to focus as Elyse speaks. Her intense eyes bore into mine with an earnest gaze.

“Jack, I have proof of Coach Matthews’ wrongdoing.”

Anger flares within me, my jaw clenching. “What the hell were you thinking, Elyse? Getting involved in this mess could be dangerous.”

She shakes her head adamantly. “I could’ve taken what I found to the law firm, but I didn’t. I brought it to you first because…because I love you, Jack, and I’m worried about you.”

Her confession hangs in the air, stealing my breath. All this time, I’d assumed her interest in the situation was purely professional—a chance to impress her bosses and advance her career—but her eyes reveal only sincerity and concern for my well-being.

I swallow hard, feeling like a dick. “I’ve been wrong about you, haven’t I? Thinking you were just using this to get ahead.”

She looks hurt but nods. “You should hear me out.”

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