Page 10 of One Touch

It was unlikely since my body seemed to know where he was at any time he was within a hundred yards of me.

“I don’t care. My space is my domain, and I can’t have anything messing with my routine. You know this. He can go to a hotel.”

“It’s not the same, and you know it. Besides, we spend enough time in hotels on the road. No one wants to sleep in one when they’re home.”

“Not happening.” My hands were shaking at the thought of him in my space—the one place I didn’t have to pretend. There was no way I could make it through one day with him there. It just wasn’t possible.

“Okay. I had to ask.”

Thankfully, Landon let it go after that. We chatted for a few more minutes before we hung up. I stared out into the locker room in a daze as it filled with noise. A body sat next to me, and I jumped.

“You good?” Samson asked.

“Yeah. Fine.”

“Hm, then why are you still in a towel?”

I glanced down, somehow forgetting I hadn’t gotten dressed yet. “Fuck.” I jumped up and pulled out my clothes, dressing with jerky movements as I covered myself. I wasn’t shy or body-conscious; I just didn’t like being on display. It was another reason I typically finished first: to be dressed before the rest of the team.

“Anything you want to talk about?”

“Nope. I’m good. See you in a few days.” I grabbed my bag and keys before strutting out of the locker room. I needed to get out of here. There was too much clouding my mind; if I didn’t get time to clear it, there would be no telling what I might do. That wasn’t something I could gamble with. I had to be in control. There was no other choice.

Almost on cue, my mother sent me a message about my performance at last night's gala.

Mom: You were dressed impeccably last night, darling.

Mom: You need to work on your face. Half of the guests thought you were two seconds away from snapping a chair in half and hitting someone over the head with it.

Mom: Considering one of my platforms is anti-violence, that is not a good look for my son to have.

Mom: See you in a few weeks, darling.

Gripping my phone in my hand, I made a detour and opened the first door I came to. It was a dark supply closet and, thankfully, empty. Pressing my fists against the door, I leaned into it as I breathed.

Do better. Be more. Hide who you are.

I knew my mom loved me, but when she got into campaign mode, she made me feel like I’d never measure up. She hated that I played hockey but had been willing to overlook my profession as long as I kept my public image clean.

It wasn’t hard to do. I didn’t put myself in situations to be taken advantage of. But every now and then, the pressure became overwhelming. This was happening far quicker into the season than usual. If things didn’t simmer down, it did not bode well for the rest of the year.

Breathing deeply, I focused on my mantra:“I am enough. I am in control. I can overcome this.”After ten minutes of breathing and repeating the phrases over and over in my head, my heart rate decreased, and the pressure in my chest lessened. I wasn’t one hundred percent in control, but it was better.

Voices filtered toward me, and I paused when I recognized one of them.

“Thanks again for the other night. I know it didn’t end the way we both intended, but I still had fun.”

“What are the odds?” Miller laughed, and my heart picked up speed. “I had a good time though.” What the fuck? Who was this guy, and why was Miller hanging out with him? My hand gripped the doorknob, and my fingers throbbed from how tightly I held it.

“Good. So I hope I’m not out of line when I suggest this, but I heard about your predicament, and I happen to have a spare room you could rent until you find a new place.”

“Oh, really? Yeah, I might?—”

Shoving open the door, I smiled at the two when they jumped at my appearance. I inserted myself between them and peered from Miller to the other guy. Why did he look familiar?

“What are we talking about?” I asked.

“Toby and I were just talking.” Miller glared at me and crossed his arms.

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