Page 58 of Falling for You

“Is the ref an Eagles fan or something because it only seems like the Red Lions are getting shoved into the sin bin for something minor,” Avery rasps from behind me.

“Looks like the ref was more than likely paid off,” Dylan snaps as he paces near the window to my left.

My breathing picks up as I see the coach lift his arm and Taylor jumps up from his seat. I step closer to the glass with worry and hold Hudson a little tighter to me as he starts to fuss.

“Here, sweety, let me take him. He can pick up your nerves,” Crissy says and I look at her to see her eyes full of concern—not for Hudson but for me. I hand him over instantly, knowing she is right.

Hudson quietens instantly, I focus back on the game just as the ref drops the puck. The Eagles center tries to shove Taylor, but he spins, and Hannha mutters, “That’s it, big brother.”

He takes the puck with him before passing it to someone on his team. Then, with ease, he skates to the other end of the rink, dodging people left and right.

“Come on,” Nico mumbles, “You got this son.”

They’re a point down only because the ref has missed several bad plays from the Eagles.

“They’re cheating, that team is cheating, and the ref is allowing it,” I mutter, and Dylan hums beside me in agreement, his arm now around my shoulders picking up my tension but we all freeze up as Taylor gets the puck again and shoots.

I scream, “Yes,”as it goes in, and Taylor skates around the net but just like a few weeks ago, a player skates into him, this time bashing him into the boards hard.

I press my hand on the glass as I shout,“Taylor!” His team starts fighting with the other team, standing by their captain while Dylan’s grip tightens around me.

I suck in a breath as he slowly gets up, but once he gets to his feet, he stumbles. Two of his teammates quickly catch him, and I gasp, “No, not again!”

“Fuck,” I hear Dylan mumble, and I don’t think, instead, I turn to Crissy, who nods and states, “I’ve got him,” I nod back, then run to the door.

I hear feet behind me, but I ignore them and follow the signs for the team’s locker rooms while my heart pounds so hard I’m scared it may tear out of my chest.

Chapter 24

Taylor

“I’m fine,” I say, but my very strict assistant coach, Henry, raises a brow while Eddie chuckles and checks my right leg.

I twisted funny when I went into the boards, banging my leg and lost balance. A funny feeling went through it as I stood straight and put weight on it. Coach, being Coach, refused to let me play until I’d been checked even though I could walk after a few minutes and Henry is acting as a guard dog to ensure I don’t sweet talk myself into getting the all-clear.

“Look, we’re now tied, but with the way that team is playing, I need to be back on that ice. I swear, I can play,” I state again, not allowing this team and the fucked-up ref to lose us the chance of keeping the Stanley Cup.

“You will not be stepping foot on that ice until your doctor has thoroughly checked you out,” Pen snaps, and I look towards thedoor to see her glaring at me while my brother and father bite their fists to stop their laughter.

“Did I mention that I really like her?” Eddie confirms, and I grin, keeping my eyes connected with my girls. I reply, “Yeah, you did,” and he chuckles.

“Seriously Taylor,” Pen starts, but I cut her off, “I feel perfectly fine, Firecracker, I promise you. I know you’re in the family box with Huddy, meaning I wouldn’t put myself on that ice with an injury, knowing you’ll worry.”

She eyes me before she looks at Eddie and demands, “Diagnosis?”

Dad chuckles but coughs to cover it when she sends him a glare while Eddie grins and states, “Pinched nerve but righted itself.”

Pen twitches her nose, then looks back at me, then back towards Eddie, and growls, “I will not have the father of my child, the love of my life, put himself in danger. If you are lying to me, I will be your worst enemy.”

Eddie grins at her while my mouth parts in surprise, and her eyes widen.

Guess she didn’t mean to say that...

“Time Henry,” I demand, keeping my eyes on a shocked Penelope.

“Five minutes until the end of the game,” he confirms, and I nod and demand, “Give us a moment.”

Eddie grins as he pats my leg, everyone leaves before Dylan shuts the door behind him with a massive grin plastered on his face.

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