Page 128 of Brutal Game

No.

I swallowed.

The asshole had her phone.

“What are you doing here, Coach?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Work thing. But come on, we need to leave.Now.”

“Were you alone?”

He looked me over warily. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I dropped the act. “Where is Aviva, Josh?”

“Jack—”

“Don’t even,” I spat. “Where. Is. Aviva?”

So did Joshua. “So you do know. She’d said as much, but I’d hoped?—”

“Where the fuck is Aviva?!” I roared.

“That girl has gotten into your head,” he said. “Look atyou, standing inside a burning building when I’m trying to save both of us.”

“I know you lied about Asher Gold,” I told him. “I know he had nothing to do with Vice and Vixen, becauseI run the Vice and Vixen game.What else are you lying about, Coach?” I sneered the word.

He threw his hands up. “He wanted it! He liked it! Liked me! Was always around after practice, asking for extra training, being helpful when he didn’t have to be. Always had a question for me about ‘improving his game.’” Joshua scoffed. “He didn’t need help with his game. Kid’s practically one with the ice. Buthewantedme.”

I stared at the coach in horror as the lobby grew hotter, smokier. How had I never known him at all?

“What the actual fuck, Josh? How can you think that’s okay?”

“What, are you going to let this ruin me? I made you, Jack Feldman. I was there for you when the rest of your family wasn’t! I am your family.”

I shook my head. “Aviva’s my family, not you.”

“That little bitch? She was practically begging for it earlier.”

I froze as red filled my sight—and not from the flames.

“What did you just say?” I asked quietly.

“She was all over me earlier. Looks like she was trying to trade up.” He said. There was pity on his face, false pity.

Aviva was right. My past had made me blind to who he really was, had gotten in the way of my lie detection. I’d been so fucked in the head when it came to him…and to her.

Aviva…

I took a step toward him, ignoring the fire surrounding me. “If you so much as touched her, Joshua Jensen, you willregret it. I will tear you apart, limb from fucking limb. You hear me?”

He shook his head. “You’re crazy.”

He had no idea. So I let him see just how crazy I was, staring at him, unleashing the madness inside of me at the thought of him laying a hand on Aviva. And where the hell was she?

“Where is she?” I asked. “You obviously have her phone.”

“Jack,” he pleaded. “Come with me. You don’t need her. Choose me, choose your future. Choose her, and you can say goodbye to not only our relationship, but your future in the NHL.”

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