Page 23 of Treacherous
Tears pick the corner of my eyes, so I force myself inside the stall. I will not cry in front of these boys. Locking the door, I place my duffle bag on the wooden bench and strip my clothes off.
Usually, I would be racing out of the showers with my towel, but I don’t have to worry about that anymore.
I’ve been at Lakewood for two months, and it’s become more of a home than Nevada ever was.
I practically moan when the water hits my skin, the pressure hitting exactly where I need it. The tension melts from my muscles as I scrub my body, wincing at the bruises on my arms and ribs. When hockey season begins after a large break of no contact, I forget about the pain that comes with the game.
Turning off the shower, I dry off and change into my maroon coloured, game day suit. It’s more of a jumpsuit, but it fits me perfectly.
No one told me otherwise, but I know they had it made for me. In the past, I wore suits that were men’s size, which did not fit me at all.
I braid my hair, not wanting it to completely soak my shirt. I brace myself as I leave the locker room, expecting to see someverynaked men. I’m frozen in place for a second, looking around to find I’m the only one left in the showers.
Weird, but I won’t complain about it. I head to the locker room, wanting to know what the suspicious looks between Cooper and Sam meant after the game. All they said was to meetin the locker room and the vague comment spiked my curiosity, so here I am.
“Finally!” Cooper says at my presence. “Okay, let’s go back home. Party at the Hockey House.”
I smile and shake my head. “I’m in. Our first win together deserves a celebration.”
“That’s the spirit,” Cooper says.
My eyes wander to Jayden, who looks less enthused than everyone else but he doesn’t say anything. I push him from my brain as we all leave the stadium. I want a night of fun with no thoughts of Jayden Allen.
***
Idrown what I believe is my fifth shot of the night, slamming the glass back onto the table.
The alcohol burns my throat, but it eases the tension from the muscles in my body. Unlike other players, I don’t believe in limiting my alcohol intake to zero during the season.
I’m the type of person who needs to let myself lose control every once and a while, otherwise I tend to go off the rails. I’ve always been the wild child, but when men started to believe they could dominate me, I truly embraced the chaotic energy.
The only relationship I ever had was with a manipulative piece of shit. Apparently, I am attracted to red flags because that didn’t stop me from fucking one of my teammates either.
Argh. Even the thought of that asshole brings a bitter taste to my mouth. Music and cheers pound in my ears and I stumble slightly as I look for my cup. I thought I was holding it, maybe I put it down when I picked up my last shot?
I turn quickly, colliding with a hard chest. I sway on my feet as hands wrap around my wrists and drag me away from thekitchen. The music fades slightly, while I focus on the person in front of me.
Jayden.
“What the…hell?” I slur.
Okay. I'm way drunker than I thought I was.
“What the fuck are you doing, Willow?”
Jayden’s harsh tone forces me to rear back. My teeth grind against each other, nostrils flaring. I rip my hands away from Jayden, not wanting our skin to touch. The quick action causes the floor to shift beneath me and I come close to losing my footing but Jayden catches me again.
I look up, meeting his eyes and remember that I'm angry at him. “Me? Why did you drag me away?”
“You’re on your seventh vodka shot, plus drinking five of whatever was in your cup.”
The wide hallway is consumed by shadows, while purple and red flashing lights linger out the corner of my eye, stretching from the dining room. The porch light casts a beam over Jayden’s face, subjecting me to seeing his usual scowl and sculptured jaw.
Why do I find him attractive? It must be the alcohol.
“Caught your attention, did I? Well, I’m not interested, go find a girl who cares.”
“This isn’t going to fly for the whole season. You need to stop drinking. In fact, I’m cutting you off right now.”
