Page 99 of The Break Out

“I know he’s been an asshole, but frankly, I saw how he was with you on New Year’s Eve. His eyes never left you. Men like Kenneth aren’t capable of that kind of…emotion.”

“What kind is that?”

“Love.”

I scoff. “He doesn’t love me, Spence. He loves sleeping with me.”

She chuckles, “That may be true, but that man loves you. And he seems softer than he has been. Kenneth was never like that, never could be. Even with me I’m sure he was faking everything and looking back it was so obvious. So no, Brynn, I don’t think it was Colton.”

I sigh in relief, but there’s still a lingering worry in the back of my mind. “But what if he knew about it? Two of the guys may have been involved, but there’s nothing to say that more of the team didn’t know about it.”

“I guess you’ll just have to ask him,” she tells me.

I wave her off, pushing away my own problems like I always do to focus on something else. “Let’s finish your statement, send it to your lawyer before posting it and keep you out of this drama as best we can.”

Spencer agrees easily and we get to work. Though, I can’t stop the worries racing through my mind that everything has been too good to be true. The more I think about it the more the walls around my heart harden once again.

42

I’m riding a high I’ve never experienced in my fucking life. I’m happy. I had a beautiful woman in my bed this morning. The woman of my dreams that I didn’t even think existed. I have a lightness to me that I don’t think I’ve ever felt, and it was clear during practice that I’m not skating with the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I feel like Coach and my teammates could see it.Yeah, my teammates.Fucking crazy, but just feeling this way has made me accept more than just my feelings but accept being a part of this team.

After practice, we’re all in the locker room, some guys are hitting the gym for an extra work out, but some of us are just heading home. I think about surprising Brynn at her apartment because I already miss her.

“Good practice today, Wheeler,” Mann says to meas he walks by.

“Thanks, Mann, you too.” I see the shock on his face, and Dumont’s who overheard me, but he doesn’t say anything else.

I continue to get changed, and as I’m slipping my hoodie over my head, I hear Jones from across the locker room, “Did you guys see this?”

A few mumbles sound from around the room, but I ignore them because I’m just trying to leave and I’m sure it has nothing to do with me. Until my name becomes involved and I perk up.

“Wheeler, do you know anything about this?” Colver asks.

“About what?” I’m being handed a cell phone with a news article pulled up and I read about the accusations against Richardson.

I never liked that guy, but I was rarely around him outside of the rink and definitely never cared to know what happened behind closed doors. This is fucked up though, and I hope that asshole gets what he deserves for pulling shit like this.

The end of the article states how Spencer, his ex, was asked for a comment, but has not made one at this time.

It makes me want to get to Brynn even more because I’m sure this entire situation has her freaking out and I want to be the one to help. I want to be the one to hold her. The one to be with her as she navigates this and the one that can make sure she relaxes. I’ll do whatever needs to be done for her.

I show up to her apartment, and I notice her car isn’t in the parking lot. Sending her a text, part of me wonders if she’s at my house.

Colton: Came to your apartment to see you, but you’re avoiding me again. Thought you might actually like me now, Baby Collee.

I can’t help but tease her, though part of me is nervous for her response. Especially as the seconds turn into minutes and I don’t get anything back.

After ten minutes with nothing from her, I actually start to get nervous. I’m about to send her another text when I see her car pull into the parking lot. She gets out and still doesn’t notice me.

“Brynn,” I call out, and she turns quickly to face me. I can see the stress written all over her, but when her eyes lock onto me her shoulders visibly drop. I rush over, gathering her into my arms because I need to feel her.

She doesn’t fight my hold, instead, her arms wrap around me tightly as her body melts into mine. I kiss the top of her head and say, “Let’s go inside.”

She nods and lets me lead her into her building. I refuse to let go of her as we take the elevator up to her apartment. I feel like a part of me needs to constantly be touching her and I’m not sure who needs it more.

Once we step inside Ellie hops down from her spot on the couch to greet us, though she bypasses Brynn to rub her side against my leg.

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