Page 83 of The Sin Bin

The server arrived with their food, momentarily breaking the connection. But as they ate, something had shifted between them—an unspoken understanding, a deeper awareness of the challenges ahead and their commitment to facing them together.

"About Wilson," Lauren said casually, surprising him with her knowledge of the specific matchup. "He's the one who targeted your ribs in the last regular season game, isn't he?"

Jax nodded, impressed by her recall. "You've been doing your homework."

"Well, I care about what happens to you out there." She took a sip of her water. "So what's the game plan? And don't tell me 'just play hockey' because I've watched enough games now to know there's more to it than that."

Jax hesitated, torn between keeping the uglier side of hockey separate from her and sharing the reality of what tomorrow would bring.

"Coach wants me to send a message early," he admitted finally. "Let Wilson know there are consequences if he goes after our skilled guys. Stephanie wants me to keep it clean for PR reasons. The team needs me to be both enforcer and shutdown defenseman." He exhaled slowly. "It's a lot of boxes to check."

Lauren listened without judgment, her expression thoughtful. "And what do you want?" she asked.

The question caught him off guard. What did he want? No one—not Vicky, not Kane, not Stephanie—had asked him that.

"I want to play good hockey," he said slowly. "I want to protect my team without risking our chances to advance. And..." he paused, the truth surfacing, "I want to finish this series healthy enough to enjoy the off-season. With you."

The admission hung between them, weightier than he'd intended. It wasn't quite a declaration of future plans, but it was closer than he'd come with anyone in years.

Lauren's fingers tightened around his, her touch grounding him. "Then that's what I want too," she said softly.

The moment stretched between them, filled with unspoken promises. Then Lauren's practical side reasserted itself.

"But first, you need to get through tomorrow with those ribs intact," she said, squeezing his hand once more before releasing it. "So eat your protein, Thompson. Doctor's orders."

Jax smiled, feeling the pressure of tomorrow's game ease slightly under her steady gaze. Whatever came with Philly, with Wilson, with the playoffs—he wouldn't be facing it alone anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, that would make all the difference.

Chapter Nineteen

Lauren

May 2nd, Second Round Playoffs – Game 1 of 7

Lauren clutched her program, the paper crumpling slightly in her grip as the players circled during warm-ups. The air smelled of beer and nachos, undercut by the faint chemical scent of freshly smoothed ice.

She watched Jax like she would an injured animal—noting the slight hitch in his crossovers, the careful way he twisted to take passes on his left side. To the average fan, he probably looked fine. To her trained eye, those ribs were still bothering him more than he'd admitted. He was taped and padded as much as he could be. She could only hope Wilson spent more time in the penalty box than on the ice.

Her stomach knotted each time Jax winced slightly after a hard turn. She knew how badly bruised ribs could limit movement, how each breath could send sharp pain through the torso. The mental image of Wilson targeting that vulnerable spot made her physically ill.

"Gonna be a bloodbath tonight," said the man behind her, his voice carrying easily in the pre-game buzz. "Wilson's gunning for Thompson after last time."

"About time Thompson remembered what he's paid for," his friend replied, the words shooting an unexpected chill down Lauren's spine. "Been playing soft since February."

On the ice, Wilson skated deliberately past center ice during warm-ups, his red Philadelphia jersey vivid against the white background as he stared down the Chill players. Even from the stands, his body language screamed challenge.

Lauren's phone buzzed.

Watching the pre-game. Your mountain man looks focused. And his nemesis looks like he's auditioning for hockey villain of the year.

She smiled at Barb's text despite her nerves. Barb was at the clinic, holding down the fort so Lauren could be here tonight since the next game would be in Pennsylvania.Accurate assessment, she replied.Wilson's been moved to center their second line. Coach thinks he'll target Jax early to establish dominance.

Hockey is weird. Also, keep me posted. I'm invested in this rivalry now.

Two women in the row ahead turned around, glancing at Lauren before whispering to each other. One held up her phone, showing what appeared to be a social media post with Jax's photo alongside Lauren's. The #BeastAndTheBeauty hashtag was clearly visible even from Lauren's seat. The women smiled at her with uncomfortable familiarity before turning back.

"Dr. Mackenzie," Mr. Collins nodded as he settled into the seat beside her. "I left the television on so the cats could watch the game."

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