Page 23 of Power Play Pursuit

He grins, stalking toward me. “Oh, come on. We were great together.”

“I’m seeing someone else!” I blurt out, not sure how else to get out of this mess. He’s a two-hundred-pound hockey player, and my only weapon is a wooden broom.

He snickers, leaning against thewall. “Really? That’s the best you got?”

“Yes, really,” I say, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You know him, actually. James Adler.”

His face turns white, and he sputters in response. I know I shouldn’t be lying, but I also knew that fib would catch him off guard. All because of that stupid rivalry. As the two New York teams, you’d think they’d want to help each other out. Guys make no sense sometimes.

“You’re lying,” he finally says, defying me with his gaze as he towers over me.

“I’m not. And I’m done talking to you,” I say before spinning on my heel. But before I can leave, Lucas grabs me by the wrist.

“You’re lying,” he says again.

“I told you, I’m not. Stop,” I yell, trying to pull my hand back, but he only squeezes harder. “You’re hurting me. Leave me alone.”

He yanks me toward him, and I defend myself in the only way I can—with a strong kick to the crotch before I shove him away and whack him with my broom.

12

"I’m going to kill him."

James Adler

Miles mentioned he left for the arena early to practice, so I walk there alone, stopping by Rise & Grind on the way. I couldn’t come in yesterday because I had back-to-back meetings for new endorsement deals on top of practice, so I’m making up for it today.

To my utmost pleasure, Elizabeth is working this morning, and she’s even more beautiful than ever. She’s wearing a white sweater under her work apron that makes her look like an angel.

“Top of the morning to you, Elizabeth,” I call out, stepping through the door.

As usual, she answers with her famous eye roll. “Hi, Clark Kent,” she says, withholding a smile. “The usual?”

“Yes please.”

Seeing that they got some new Raptors merch in, I sit down at one of the tables and start signing posters, something we all like to do when we stop by. “Didn’t miss me too much yesterday?” I ask, unable to shut up in front of her. “I know it must be hard after spending such an awesome day with me.”

I’m pathetic, I know. How much clearer can I make it that I was the one thinking about her all day long?

“I managed,” she says, pressing her red lips together before bringing my coffee to the table. As she sets it down, the sleeve of her sweater pulls back, revealing a red hand print around her wrist.

“What’s that?” I immediately ask, blood rushing to my head.

“What?” She frowns, then hides her wrist. “Oh, nothing.”

I fly to my feet, almost knocking over the table in the process. “Elizabeth, what happened to your wrist?”

She swallows hard, not daring to look me in the eye. “It’s fine. I—”

“It was that doucheRogers. Wasn’t it?” There’s a buzzing in my ears as the only explanation hits me.

When she closes her eyes, I know I’m right. All the blood seems to drain from my body, and so many thoughts race through my head. “I’m going to kill him,” I say, but it comes out strangled.

“No!” She glances up at me as she places a hand on my chest. “Please don’t get all worked up. It’s really nothing. I’m fine.”

I close my eyes to calm myself, taking a small breath. “You’re fine? Look at your wrist, Beth! He hurt you. That prick. I’m—”

“Please, James. I don’t want you getting in trouble,” she pleads again, her voice desperate. She takes my hand, and her soft touch is all it takes to ground me in the moment. We gaze into each other’s eyes, and I’ve never been so close to kissing her. It’s all I want right now. To hold her tight, be there for her. To protect her and kiss those beautiful red lips.

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