Page 369 of Branded
And Ethan and Jules didn’t need me to take out that frustration on Lake. I had already done that enough that evening—enough to feel a little bit guilty about it for sure—so I was making amends by giving them space. Because Jules deserved to connect with her old friend, and because I wouldn’t burst Ethan’s excitement.
But seriously, Lake played with Miller.
I didn’t know how the man could stand it. I understood that Lake had no control over the Sierra’s roster (and knew that management sometimes kept assholes on that roster because they produced by scoring goals and helping to win games, just like I knew that Miller was good at both).
But I also understood that Lake had made his dislike of Nate clear.
A point in the man’s pro column.
Though, the fucker was still a pain in the ass on the ice.
Two more—as much as I hated them—were that Lake was good with Ethan and he was clearly keeping his gaze on his surroundings, ready for Miller to make a reappearance.
I wouldn’t breathe easy until Miller was back in California.
Which was why I’d only left Jules alone for a minute with Lake while I’d retrieved Ethan from the locker room.
I wanted to sweep them out of here, to take them back to my place where it was safe.
But…old friends and hero worship.
So, I was propping up the hallway’s wall—the same wall that one Eva Moreno had tried to disappear into during the confrontation with Theo.
“You were pretty harsh with Eva for there being nothing between you two,” I said lightly.
Theo’s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek, and I wasn’t so focused on Jules and Lake and Ethan—and that fucking hero worship—to miss the flicker of guilt cross my friend’s face.
Theo wasn’t normally an asshole.
Though, no one could argue that I’d been one tonight.
“She’s a fucking reporter,” Theo muttered. “She spreads bullshit for a living.”
“I wouldn’t consider the stories that Eva writes bullshit.”
Theo grunted but didn’t argue.
Mostly because he couldn’t—or couldn’t without looking like even more of an asshole. Eva was smart and talented, and her blog had become popular—even among the trolly asshole male fans, who liked to discount a female fan just because she was female. But no one could discount Eva. She was a fan, and she knew her stuff.
Which was why she’d gotten a media pass.
Which was why she’d been picked to color commentate on the pregame show more than a few times in recent months.
It was also why her social media had exploded.
And it was why I knew that she was under Theo’s skin.
Deep.
I didn’t know how or why, just knew that I was right. Eva Moreno was smart, took absolutely no shit, and was gorgeous.
Which was why I also knew that Theo was fucked.
My friend had hurt a good woman’s feelings, and he wasn’t normally an asshole so the fact that he’d acted like one was going to eat at him.
So, yup, Theo was fucked…in the best possible way, and I, for one, couldn’t wait to watch the show.
The team’s most eligible bachelor matched against the league’s up-and-coming broadcaster, successful blogger, social media expert, and general Jill of all trades.
