Page 34 of The Break Out

The restof the road trip was uneventful. Especially since we lost the other two games we played, and it feels like the win in Toronto was a fluke. I fucking hate losing, and I’m determined to win the first game of this home stand.

To make sure of it, I give myself some motivation, which comes in the form of a single text to Brynn. She hasn’t ignored me as much, because I know she likes fighting with me just as much as I do. But I’m done with the texting. I replay the kiss in my head more than I should and I need more. I need to touch her. I need to feel her. I need to see how she comes apart. I need to see what it is she comes apart for.

I bet the little princess is a dirty fucking slut in the bedroom and I’ll give her exactly what she needs.

It’s time for another bet, this one is my motivation to win the game tonight, and I’m going to make sure it happens.

Colton: If I get a hat trick tonight, I’m coming over.

17

Iscoff at the text from Colton, refusing to reply. The chances of that happening are so slim I’m not even worried about it. I’m not going to the game tonight; I’m doing some work to update Spencer’s social media and send some emails telling everyone on her current status. Still deep in her creative cave.

While the guys were gone, I spent a lot of time with Chandler, helping her with Evie. Usually that consisted of me watching her while Chan got some sleep. Newborns are brutal, but they are so cute that it’s all worth it.

Ellie has been great company to me, and I swear she can tell when I start to get into my head a bit too much and start to think about how alone I am. I tried to reach out to Bailey and Bryson again. Bailey has resorted to ignoring me completely, and Bryson is always too busy.

It’s hard not to feel the sting of being unwanted. Especially frommy own family.

Then, the devil himself appears on my phone screen and makes it clear how much he wants me. At least in the physical sense. And I engage, instead of ignoring him like I should. Because at the end of the day it feels good to get some sort of attention. Even if I hate who it’s coming from.

But a hat trick is hard to get, so I’m sure it’s not going to happen, and there’s no point in worrying about it.

“Right, Ellie?” I ask like she can read my mind.

She doesn’t acknowledge me since she’s curled up in her fluffy bed next to my desk, which is her favorite spot.

Pushing all thoughts aside in regard to the game later, I put my headphones on and jump into work.

I find anything and everything to do to keep myself distracted well into the evening when the game is starting. Keeping my music turned up, I take a couple breaks to dance around my apartment, which results in Ellie staring at me like she’s questioning what’s wrong with me.

Eventually, I run out of things to do and have been mindlessly scrolling and the music isn’t hitting as hard as it was. My ears are sweaty from my over the ear headphones and my stomach is growling. I feed Ellie while I heat up the leftovers from the takeout I got yesterday.

Staring at the black TV, I shake my head. Refusing to turn on the game. I don’t need to see anything.

I end up eating in silence, other than Ellie’s soft crunching of her food. After I finish cleaning up, I stare at the TV once again.

“No, nope. Not going to do it.”

Another five minutes goes by, and I find myself turning it on. I’m just going to check really quickly. Ease my mind so I can go to bed peacefully. My eyes fly to the score in the top left corner of the screen, and I see the Dragons have two goals. I let out a sigh of relief because I know there’s no wayboththose goals were by Colton. And because the game is going to be over in another ten minutes, I think I’m in the clear.

Just as I think that, I see the familiar player skate toward the opponents’ zone and the puck goes flying into the net. The announcement makes my stomach drop.

“Wheeler with a hat trick!”

My jaw drops, still refusing to believe it until I see the hats being thrown onto the ice. I turn off the TV, throwing the remote down. Forget what he said, I’m going to bed.

“Come on, Ellie.”

I ignore everything as I do my nightly routine, taking my time in the shower, letting the steam seep into my pores while the scent from my body wash surrounds me. After, I even put on a face mask because I’m having prime self-care time.

When I climb into bed, where Ellie is already curled up in her corner, I plug my phone in. It lights up with the single notification I missed and my jaw drops, heart races, and panic ensues. Three words. Three simple words that have me both angry and excited. I’m not sure which is worse.

Colton: On my way.

18

Iremember her complex from the night I tried to be a nice guy and make sure she got home safe. I know she didn’t see it that way, but whatever. I watched the elevator stop at the fifth floor that night, so I know that’s where her apartment is.

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