Page 23 of Play It Sinful

“What the hell was that, Davenport?” Assistant Coach LaRue asks.

“A jackass was being a creep to my stepsister.”

The excuse is lame, and that’s not why I would have punched the guy if it weren’t for the glass. I got jealous. This isn’t the firstI’ve had this reaction when it comes to Ashley. The fight at the bonfire five years ago comes to forefront of my mind.

“If you let what’s going on in the crowd interfere with the game, your career as a Warrior will be a short one. Understood?”

“Yes, sir. It won’t happen again.”

“It’d better not, or you can watch the game from the dressing room.”

My ears and face burn. I hate been scolded by coaches, especially for something that’s not even hockey related. I clench my jaw and ride the annoyance at myself in silence. Distance and lack of contact have done nothing to cure my sudden obsession with Ashley. I don’t know if anything will.

I’m fucking screwed.

CHAPTER 9

ASHLEY

Trying to explain to my friends why my stepbrother got all caveman during the game is impossible. I can’t believe Sean yelled at the douche next to me. After that display of aggression, the guy left his seat and didn’t come back. I was glad he disappeared, because he was annoying me, but I’m not happy Sean reacted like that. He didn’t act like a protective brother—he acted like a jealous boyfriend, and I’m fucking pissed. He’s the one who backed down from whatever is going on with us.

When Kadence suggests we head to The Heritage, a popular bar on campus frequented by hockey players, I’m game. Blair is the only one who says she needs to go home. The Warriors won tonight, so I know Sean and his teammates will be there.

It’s much colder this late at night, so we return the bikes and get an Uber. The ride takes five minutes by car, and when we arrive, the boys aren’t there yet. Scarlett says she’s famished, so we grab a booth and order food. The place is modeled after a typical English pub, with dark wood furniture and maroon seats. Pictures of past Warrior hockey players hang from the walls. One day, Sean’s picture will probably be displayed here. The thought makes me happy for him, despite my current annoyance.

I’m not really hungry, and when my cheeseburger and fries arrive, I just nibble on the fries. Scarlett inhales her meal like she hasn’t eaten in days.

“Damn, girl. Slow down,” Kadence says.

“I can’t. I’m so hungry. I was fasting all day.”

Kadence shakes her head. “You’re nuts.”

“Why do think Blair didn’t want to come?” Scarlett asks between bites.

“Maybe she doesn’t want to hang out with her brother’s friends.” I shrug.

Kadence gives me a meaningful look. “Well,you’rehere. That means you don’t have a problem hanging out with Sean’s friends.”

“Well... he’s not my brother, and truly, I barely know the guy. He used to live with his mother in Europe. I only saw him once a year.”

“That’s too bad. He’s so hot.” Scarlett sighs.

“He’s a dick. I hate him.” I pick a fry and break it in the middle.

“Really? That’s too bad. I’d better stay away from him then. I have a bad habit of falling for the biggest assholes,” Kadence chimes in.

I should sayme too, but I see red for a moment.You’d better stay away from Sean.

Shit. Now who’s acting like a jealous girlfriend? Eventually, Sean will hook up with someone. Hell, he might even start dating seriously. My chest feels heavy, and I realize I might have a new kind of Sean problem. In the past, I hated him because he was mean to me. Now I’m eager to see him and getting butterflies in my stomach. I have to get over this weird attraction. I have a history of dating bad apples, but Sean would be the ultimate wrong guy to fall for.

An hour later, the hockey guys begin to trickle into the bar. The place is already packed, and all the booths are taken. Our food is long gone, and I’m already on my third club soda, which means I have to pee soon.

Before there’s a huge line, I slide out of my seat. “I’ll be right back.”

“Are you going to the restroom?” Kadence asks, getting ready to follow me.

The vultures nearby are eyeing our booth. “We can’t all go together, or we’ll lose our table.”

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