Page 76 of Heartless Game

All I felt was satisfied.

“You don’t talk to my girl that way,” I told him, my voice low and shaking with leftover rage. “You don’t touch her, either. I don’t care what kind of insulting sign she’s holding in the stadium. You ever get near her again, I’ll kill you.”

“But I’m your number one fan,” the man sobbed in some kind of confused pain.

“Isaac.” Coach said. “You’re out of the game. Locker room.Now.”

“Yeah,” I shrugged. “I figured.” I grabbed Tovah’s hand. “She’s coming with.”

Coach started to argue with me, then sighed. “Ms. Kaufman can wait in my office while I talk to the rest of you,” he agreed.

With that, I tugged Tovah by her hand and she followed me and the rest of the team down the stairs and through the hallway toward the locker room. I was aware of the whispering, the shocked silence of the crowd during what should’ve been a chaotic intermission, but I ignored them. I ignored everything but the comforting assurance of her small, soft hand in mine as I led her into the locker room and away from anyone else who could possibly hurt her.

“He’s lost his fucking mind,” Asher muttered to Lawson.

“Happens to the best of us,” Lawson laughed ruefully, following us inside.

30

Isaac

After Coach reamed me out for my behavior in front of the whole team and I nodded along and pretended like I felt remorseful—when all I wanted to do was take my skate blade to that fucker’s neck—the rest of the team filed out for the second period.

“Not you, Jones: You’re suspended for the next few games. If I can’t make a good argument for you, you might be out for the rest of the season. Beating up a fan; Jesus fucking Christ,” Coach said, shaking his head.

“Sorry, Coach,” I said, hanging my head.

“No you aren’t,” he sighed, but he slapped me on the shoulder and then he was gone.

“You can come out,” I called to Tovah in the office.

She stepped out into the locker room, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms.

“You know, for someone who hates violence, you’ve gotten pretty violent lately.”

I stood, keeping my eyes on her as I peeled my jersey off over my head and stripped out of all my gear above my waist until I was shirtless, feeling a warm satisfaction in my chest when her eyes caught on my chest and held. I trained and stayed in shape for hockey, but having the kind of body that kept Tovah entranced was a nice perk.

I advanced on her slowly, pleased that she had nowhere to go. Even more pleased when her breathing picked up as I grew closer, until I placed my hands on the wall above her head, effectively trapping her there.

The move worked; her eyes dilated, eclipsing the dark brown of her irises.

“Isaac?” she said sweetly, breathily.

“Yeah, little snoop?”

She wrinkled her nose. “You stink.”

Chuckling, I leaned in further. “Comes with the territory.”

Standing, I held out my palm for her. “I’m taking a shower. And you’re gonna watch.”

She hesitated.

“Tovah,” I warned.

“A deal’s a deal,” she sighed, but her hard nipples gave her away.

Tugging her behind me, I led her to the showers, positioning her on the edge where she’d have the perfect view of me without getting wet—from water, at least.

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