Page 100 of Shift Change

Gabe slapped his thigh in agreement. “Damn right. If Holky’s scared he’ll break you, remind him you’re not made of glass. You can handle it.”

“You’reMad Dog,” Packy said. “You didn’t get that name by accident. We see what you’re made of every day. If things go south, you come out swinging, so draw on that now. Show Holky you can take a hard check and still come back for him.”

Harpy nodded. “Don’t feel like you need to fix everything at once. You just have to be willing to show up. Holky’s scared to death, and you’re the only one who can help him. Show him he’s not alone in the fight.”

“For what it’s worth,” Packy said, “you two are good together. You say he keeps telling you he loves you, and that’s why he’s driving you away?”

“Yes.”

Packy scoffed. “Screw him. This isn’t over unlessyoudecide it is, Dog. We all know Holky, and whatever the fuck’s going on with him, he’s not stupid. If you want to, you’ll be able to get through.”

I looked around. Gabe raised a brow, and Brody offered a smile. Packy widened his eyes—you can do it.

These guys weren’t worried; they were invested in Nate and me. As many hockey teams as I’d been on, I’d never known men like this. They really were my brothers.

The weight on my shoulders shifted. The grief was still there, but now there was something underneath it. Hope?

Everything they’d said was right. I’d never backed down from a fight in my life, no matter how brutal the odds were. Why the hell would I even consider it now, when it mattered most? If I let Nate destroy what we had, I’d only be confirming his worst fears.

I took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m going to get him back if I have to fight every demon in his head to do it.”

35

holky

Riley and Logansauntered into the living room like they owned the goddamn place, each claiming a chair without so much as a nod in my direction. Abby raised one of his giant arms in a gesture that saidafter youlike we were at a fancy dinner party instead of in the middle of my nervous breakdown.

“Have fun, guys,” I said, turning toward my room.

Before I took two steps, Abby locked his arms around me from behind.

“Smug asshole,” he said against my ear. Then he lifted me off the floor—feet dangling, dignity in shreds—with all the effort it would’ve taken me to grab a gym bag.

“Okay.”I flailed until he set me down. “I can walk. You don’t have to manhandle me.”

Instead of answering, he gestured toward the living room again, triggering a memory from when I was little. Mom used to do that when she told me to take a time-out.

Muttering curses, I shuffled into the living room and dropped onto a loveseat, half-expecting Abby to sit on me. Instead of that, he flopped down beside me. He was gigantic, so we were jammed together, thigh-to-thigh. I had no doubt he’d physically hold me down if I tried to make a break for it.

I crossed my arms. “Fine. I’m sitting, but that doesn’t mean I’ll listen to a damn word any of you have to say.” My tone saidfuck you,but inside, I was splintered and sore.

“Stop acting like a toddler,” Logan said, shaking his head.

Riley speared me with his eyes. “Why the fuck would you throw Dog out?”

“Have you lost your goddamn mind?” Logan asked. “I know you’re goofy, but I never thought you were crazy.”

I looked away and stared out the window. “You don’t know anything. Get the fuck out.”

“No.” Abby had called me smug, but his voice was smooth as silk.

Anger boiled inside me, and I glared at Logan. “I told him to stay with you because I thought you’d take care of him, not so you could barge in here and lecture me.”

“He’s not staying with me,” Logan said. “I haven’t seen him, but I’ve heard things. Do you want to tell us what’s going on? We’re on a break before playoffs, so we have plenty of time.”

“Fuck off.”

“Is good thing I can cook,” Abby said. “What should we have for dinner?”

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