Page 85 of Lucky Hit

"Scare her?"

He nods his head before glancing around the empty gym. "C'mon. Everyone knows she's terrified of what's gonna happen when you leave."

"I've already told her I'll fly back and forth whenever I can," I say weakly.

"You're an even bigger idiot than I thought you were if you think that's the only reason she's so worried," he laughs, stands, and raises his arms behind his head, stretching.

"What do you mean then?" I huff, feeling myself getting more annoyed. Then again, that's the usual feeling I get with Adam.

"It's the girls and fame she's scared of. Your little stunt only made it worse," he replies casually and slips his hands back into his gloves.

My stomach drops. I mentally kick myself in the ass for being such an idiot. How did I miss that? It was so obvious.

"Don't let her run away from you. A girl like Ava only comes around once in a lifetime," he mutters. A flash of pain passes over his face.

He turns away from me and goes back to punching the bag mercilessly, signalling the end of the conversation. My phone rings, making me groan. I wrench my gaze off of Adam and reach down into my bag.

"Hey," I breathe after I accept the call.

"Where are you? I'm outside your place and you aren't home. You okay?" Matt's booming voice cuts through the phone.

I roll my eyes and toss my hand wraps and water bottle back into my bag.

"I'm fine," I answer gruffly.

He scoffs and I know he's rolling his eyes at me too. "Where are you? I'm outside your place with a twelve-pack of brewskis."

"I'm at a gym I found. I'll be there soon."

"Hurry up before I drink them all," he warns and hangs up.

With a huff, I grab the strap of my bag and toss it over my shoulder. I offer Adam my fist, unspeaking. His eyes move to my hand as he raises his eyebrows. He slowly hits his gloved fist against mine.

"Thanks, Adam. I appreciate the advice."

"Anytime. Good luck," he adds and I'm startled as his lips turn up slightly. With that, I give him a small smile before heading for the door.

???

Matt's truck is parked out front when I pull up to my apartment. I join him on the pavement and chuckle at the beers in his hand.

"I see you brought the good shit."

"Nothing but the best for my main man," he winks and slaps my ass as we head out of the cold.

"Thanks." I unlock the front door and flip on the lights.

"What gym were you at? You smell like my hockey bag." He scrunches up his nose and flops onto my couch.

"Some boxing gym. Don't know what it’s called. I'm going to go shower," I add, heading towards my room. Matt turns the T.V on and gives me a thumbs up in response.

Ten minutes later, I rejoin Matt in the living room to watch our game tapes, and he rolls his eyes.

"You know I don't appreciate you showing me up all of the time. Go put a shirt on before you hurt my ego anymore than you already have."

I pretend to blush and throw a wink at him on my way to my room to change.

"Better?" I motion to the shirt now covering my chest and plop down beside him, taking a beer from the case.

"Much."

I turn my attention to the T.V to study all of the wrong placed passes and missed goals from our last game. "Lowry needs to step it up. He's gonna lose his spot if he keeps letting them slip past him."

"Tell me about it," Matt scoffs. "If he's not going to block the shots he needs to move out of the way and let someone else do it. He keeps standing right in my line of vision."

"Tyler's really developed. Did you see that? His dekes are out of this world now!" I shout in excitement, pride filling my chest.

We continue watching game tapes for the next few hours. When we run out of beers, we move to my liquor cabinet. The more drinks I have, the less I feel. And I love it.

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