Page 101 of Don't Let Me Go (Don't Let Me 2)

When I arrive at the rink a few minutes later, I stare at the stupid snacks for a solid thirty seconds, unsure if I should send Theo a thank you text or let the bastard sweat a bit more.

Nah. He can wait.

I tuck my phone into my purse and head to Russ’s office.

“You’re early,” he notes without bothering to look up from the sports section of the newspaper.

“Didn’t know they still printed those.” I motion to the gray recycled paper in his hands.

“Only the big papers. Everyone else has gone digital.” He says the word like it’s a curse and folds the newspaper onto his desk. “You ready to help with today’s game?”

“Always. Anything I need to do beforehand?”

“Burrows will need a rubdown after. Graves is still having shoulder issues, but I’ll deal with him.”

“Okay.”

“You good with Burrows?” he prods, his sharp gaze pinning me in place.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because of the bet.”

“It’s not an issue.”

He holds my stare for another beat, then nods. “All right. Anything else I need to know about? Maybe pass along to Sanderson?”

I know what he’s referring to. What he’s insinuating. He’s talking about what he saw when he interrupted me with Theo in his office not so long ago. I can only imagine how we must’ve looked. Me tucked between Theo’s legs. Theo grabbing my wrist. Our hushed voices. I’ve never been very good at hiding my feelings for the bastard––or at least it’s what Mom tells me––so, I shouldn't be surprised Russ is asking me this. Especially when we both know what’s on the line if I slip up and give in to LAU’s hockey captain’s advances.

A weaker person would cave under Russ’s scrutiny, but I keep my head held high and lie straight through my teeth. “Nope.”

His eyes narrow for a split second. “Fine.” He opens up the newspaper again. “You can sanitize the equipment in here. Once the game starts, we’ll stay on the bench. Hopefully there won’t be any more brawls.”

“I mean, it’s hockey,” I remind him, my lips lifting in the corners.

He smirks but doesn’t comment, so I get to work.

Fifteen minutes later, Russ and I join the rest of the team in the locker room. Sanderson gives a quick speech, and everyone heads to the rink. Even though there’s plenty of room in the tunnel, it still feels like being packed into a can of sardines thanks to the boys, their gear, and the extra four inches of height their already massive bodies are taking up due to their skates. Yeah, it definitely feels like I’m being squeezed between a group of amped-up hockey players as we walk toward the ice. But I’m not complaining. In a way, it almost feels like home.

“Did you get my present?” a deep voice murmurs beside me.

I glance to my left and find Theo towering over me. Somehow, he managed to slip beside me in the sea of players.

Sneaky, Theo.

I try to act casual, ignoring the spike of adrenaline and the knowledge of how close we’re standing. It doesn’t matter if Tukani's on my other side because Tukani doesn’t give me butterflies. Theo on the other hand…

“I meant the cinnamon bears,” he clarifies when I don’t answer right away.

“I know what you meant,” I answer, glancing at an oblivious Tukani and peeking up at Theo again. The guy’s tall on a good day, but with his skates and pads? He looks massive. Untouchable. And so damn sexy in his hockey gear it’s not even funny. I know what it’s like to have his mouth on mine. And after his declaration last night?

I shake off the thought and add, “If you’re not careful, I’m gonna send you my dentist bill.”

He chuckles. “Pretty sure Papa Taylor would be happy to take care of your cavities for free.”

“Is that how you get away with it?” I quip. “Eating all the sugar?”

“To be fair, I used to have a different diet. It was boring. Everything tasted the same. Like shit,” he adds, driving his point home. Clearly, we aren’t talking about his eating habits anymore. “But after a taste of those cinnamon bears the other day?” He smirks down at me, his eyes heating a fraction. “Gotta say, I don’t think I could quit, even if you asked me to.”

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