Page 46 of Major Penalty

“I always peak at the right time.” I tilt my head slightly, fingers tapping the table.

Damien exhales a quiet “Jesus Christ” under his breath.

More questions. More flashes. More noise. And all I can feel are her eyes on me. My body burns with the weight of her stare. I don’t even have to look at her to know she’s watching me.

A reporter leans in.

“Ares, we need to talk about the fight. You went straight for Berger after he crashed into your goalie. Can you walk us through what was going through your head in that moment?”

“Don’t touch my goalie.” I shrug.

Silence. The room goes still. Then, a quiet chuckle from my team.

“Do you think the hit was intentional?” Another question from a different reporter.

“I think it was stupid.” I shrug again, inhaling slowly.

More laughs, more flashes, more questions. But I don’t hear them because my attention is back on her, and so are my eyes.

She meets my stare, and her throat bobs when she swallows. Her lips part to suck in a breath. I know she’s thinking about it, too—what I did to her.

And fuck me, I want to do it again.

My fingers twitch against the table. Another reporter calls my name.

I blink, tearing my gaze away.

“That’s all I got for you guys tonight,” I say, forcing myself to smile.

I push off my chair, stand to my full height, grab my water bottle, and walk out.

The minute I step off the bus, chaos hits me. Reporters are shouting questions, fans are screaming our names. I ignore all of it. I grab my bag, pull the hood over my head, and push through the lobby. The team is already filtering inside, pushing through the crowd, laughing and signing a few autographs.

I don’t stop. I don’t slow down. I just want to get to my room. I want to shower.

I want to turn my brain off.

I get my keycard from the front desk and pause when Rowan and Livia call my name.

“Don’t forget. Club at eleven. Don’t disappear.” Livia gives me a knowing wink.

I don’t confirm or deny it; I just grunt.

“That’s a yes,” Rowan snorts.

I take the elevator up, watching the numbers climb. The doors slide open, and my entire body locks up. Because there she is. Her back is turned to me, but I see her opening the door to her suite. The one right next to mine.

A flash of smooth legs, a sports jacket slipping off her shoulder, and dark hair pulled into a loose bun as she steps inside, and then the door clicks shut.

Silence.

The hallway is too quiet now as my body runs hot.

One door away.

I force myself to move and slide my keycard through the lock, push open my door, and step inside without looking back.

The when the door shuts behind me, I exhale, pressing my fists into my temples.

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