Page 23 of Icing the Enemy

I snap. “Corbin…” I don’t have a snappy comeback; instead, I lose myself in his stare.

He shakes his head slightly. Glasses clink and people chatter in the background, snapping me back to reality. I’m vaguely aware of phones videoing our exchange, so I play the devil. “Corbin, real men protect women, not throw them in jail.”

CHAPTER NINE

corbin

Anger creeps up my body,finally landing on my face. She’s infuriating. Oakley is like a microwave, heating me from the inside out, and she knows how to push my buttons after spending one damn day with her. I grab her hand, pull her flat to my chest, and grunt out. “I’m going to pretend we’ve never met. I have a reputation to uphold.”

I swear, I’ve never talked to a girl like this. My dad would hand my ass to me. But, in my defense, my dad never had a girl who he rescued leave without a word or note but steal his truck.

“You think you’re so much better than me because you’re a professional athlete.” Oakley pushes off my chest.

“I’m better than you because I don’t steal.”

“You’re just mad that I didn’t sleep with you.”

A mixture of lust and hatred skitters up my spine. My eyes go round and for a split second, my mouth hangs open. How dare she? We didn’t get to that point. Clearing my throat, I protest, “I don’t remember asking you to sleep with me. Have a nice life, Oakley.”

I turn around, place my hand on my sister’s back, and lead her through wall-to-wall people. “Excuse me.”

Becca talks over the music all the way to her house, but I just listen. “How could you be so taken with her? That woman has snake venom in her blood. Why would you pick up someone at a truck stop? I always knew I was smarter than you. I love you, Corby, but you need lessons in dating.”

She goes on and on. I blow out a frustrated sigh. “Thanks for coming with me. Who would have thought she would be at the same bar?”

My sister and I are as close as twins, and we know each other too well. She has as big of a heart as I do, but she tries to mask it as often as possible. If someone asks for her help, she’d jump off a bridge to save you, but she likes to hide behind her tough attorney persona. Wrapping her arms around me, she kisses me on the cheek.

“You know people were filming. Prepare for more headlines.”

I nod with a tight-lipped admission. “Well, if there is someone we can sue, let me know, and you’re hired. Night.”

Popping the car door open, she runs inside. My head falls back against the car seat, and I let out a groan, beating my head against the charcoal-gray leather in annoyance. It's not Becca’s fault. Somehow, I always find myself attracted to people who need help. They always take advantage of me, which is why I haven’t dated for so long. I’m predisposed to be single forever.

I go home, take my supplements, and drink a warm glass of milk with a dash of turmeric. It helps with inflammation, and I’ve been nursing a shoulder injury since last year. Tomorrow, I’ll make an appointment with the team physical therapist. Practice starts next week, and I want to be one hundred percent and have the year that makes my career, hoisting the Stanley Cup trophy over my head.

When I wake up, I message Gloria, the physical therapist, scheduling an appointment for the afternoon. Then my phone rings with my friends’ different ringtones.

Reed: You’re going to marry that girl. So much tension

Me: Screw you.

Dane: Just saw the video posted. Didn’t know if you were going to grab her and kiss her or punch her.

Me: I would never be mad enough to hit a girl.

Dane: I know.

John: Well at least there’s no such thing as bad publicity.

Me: What?

John: The Notes spokesperson put out a statement.

Fuck.

Me: How bad is it?

John: Don’t know but look it up before you call them, so you don’t get caught by surprise.

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