Page 44 of Shot to the Hart

I’m turning to walk away but Conrad grips my shoulder. “She wasn’t even that good of a lay, but maybe when she’s done with your crusty ass, she’ll let me take her for another ride.”

Before I know what's come over me, I turn and let my fist meet Conrad's nose. He groans in agony, blood trickling from his nostrils, “Fuck, fine. Jesus bro. I hope she’s worth it.”

“She is.”

26

KODI

PIZZA AND BANANA PUDDING

Mav bursts through the door leading out of the arena clenching and unclenching his right fist, it’s red and angry. Nik and Dom follow, giving me curt nods and scurrying off.

“Oh my God, Mav! Are you okay?” Trying not to be too loud, although Bella still has her noise canceling headphones on as she sleeps against my shoulder. The players exit is pretty barren of people aside from a few straggling security members.

“Yeah, Darlin’. I’m fantastic.” He’s smiling but I can feel the tension radiating off of him.

“I don’t believe you. It really wasn’t that big of a deal. Conrad isn’t a good guy.”

“That is an understatement, Kodi.” His nostrils flaring in time with his escalated breathing.

“Listen, I don’t know why you dislike him. I just wasn’t expecting to see him, I didn’t even know who he was when we met.”

“And when was it that you met?”

“Does it really matter?” I huff, getting agitated that he even wants to talk about this.

“It does to me. I just punched the man in the nose for you Kodi!” He’s pacing back and forth in front of me now.

“You. . .” Sucking in a breath. “You punched him in the nose?” It’s kind of hot that he would do that, but I need to focus on the fact that he is pushing a conversation that I don’t want to have.

“Yes, he deserved it.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because he clearly made you uncomfortable and was being a prick. He said some disrespectful things Kodi, and I’m not okay with that.” His pacing has slowed and he’s standing in front of me again as we speak.

“Oh my God, okay. You didn’t need to punch him though. Let me guess, he called me a bunny and probably said something about him wanting another go? Because in less words, that’s what he implied the first time I met him.”

“He deserved way more than a punch in the face. I’m already going to be benched for that. Fuck.” He runs his hands through his hair, realizing now the mistake that he made in punching a nobody like Conrad in the face over me.

“Jesus, Mav you can’t do that again, they need you on the ice. Do you really want to know how we met?” I ask, looking down at my feet.

“It’s too late, you deserve respect. But yes, I do want to know.”

I spit it out before I can stop myself. ”We met at Lockout and we hooked up afterwards.”

“You slept with him?” His arms crossed and lips pressed into a flat line.

“Yes, Maverick. I, a grown-ass woman, consciously made the decision to sleep with that man months ago when I was drunkand lonely.” Lifting my chin in his direction. I can’t believe he’s doing this right now. After the day we’ve had, I’m starting to feel worn down. “I really cannot fathom why you are making such a big deal of this.”

“What do you want me to say Kodi? Do you want me to tell you that fu—Conrad will never be worthy of your time? Do you want me to tell you that the thought of him touching you and hearing him call you ‘baby’ made my skin crawl?” I flinch at his admissions and the slight frustration in his voice. My hackles are rising, making me feel like I can’t continue this conversation,and I turn, stalking down the street away from him with Bella still sleeping soundlessly against my shoulder.

“Kodi, wait! Come on!” His footsteps are quickening behind me and his hand gently grabs my free arm to turn me around. “I’m sorry, okay. I just really don’t like that guy; he didn’t deserve whatever time you gave to him, and when he spoke to you that way, it just really got under my skin.”

“It’s whatever, Maverick. It’s not worth talking about. Can we just get back to the hotel and get food?” I beg. I need this topic to change. I don’t even understand why he’s so upset about it, it’s not like we’re together. Even then, it was forever ago, and I wouldn’t go there again with Conrad.

He heaves a breath as if I’m the one who just went barbaric back there. “Let’s go, I’ll order food to be delivered to the hotel. Do you want anything specific? There’s a place around here that has really good pizza, or a place that has smoked brisket and banana pudding that is to die for.”

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