Page 110 of Don't Let Me Go (Don't Let Me 2)

“Stop,” I mouth at him, but he only winks at me and continues. “She’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.”

“Careful, Taylor,” Coach warns.

Theo chuckles and waves him off. “Yeah, Coach. I know you don’t want us dating, but I really think if you gave us a chance––”

“I have my rules for a reason, and you know I’m not afraid to enforce them,” Coach barks.

“Shit,” I whisper.

Raising his hands in defense, Theo says, “And I get it, Coach. You’ve always ruled with an iron fist, and it’s brought our team to victory time and time again. But what I feel for Blake? It won’t affect the game or the team.” Theo looks around the room. “Right, guys?”

The team stays quiet, their attention shifting from Coach, to Theo, to me, to Colt, and back again.

Coach’s knuckles are white as he throttles the clipboard, his stance less than accommodating. “There’s a reason I put the policy in place, Taylor.”

“I know, but––”

“While you and Blake are on this team, dating is off-limits,” Coach orders. “I’m not going to budge on this.”

Theo’s eyes widen in surprise. He glances at me again and jumps off the bench, stepping closer to Coach. This time, his voice is quieter but still plenty loud for the rest of the team to hear. “Come on, Coach. We’re fine. I really care about her.”

“Enough,” Coach snaps, his tone brooking no argument. “This is not negotiable.”

As if Theo can feel the shift, he scrubs his hand over his head. But instead of looking contrite, Theo looks more determined than ever to make me his. “That isn’t fair. You were fine with it before the bet.”

“Yeah, and the rest of the team went and pissed on the situation, and look how it turned out. It affected how you and everyone else on this team played on the ice. I’m not going to allow––”

“Then, we won’t let it affect how we play.”

“I’m not going to discuss this, Taylor.”

“But it’s bullshit,” Theo argues, his voice rising. Clearly, he didn’t expect his little announcement to be taken this way. Everyone is being given front row seats to the conversation, and it isn’t exactly painting him in the best light.

He’s…pissed.

And with the way he’s going head-to-head with Coach, getting right up in his face?

He isn’t the only one who’s frustrated.

This is bad.

Really bad.

How the hell can Theo not see he’s proving to Coach why the no fraternization policy needs to be in place at this very moment? It’s causing friction in the locker room. And we’re all witnessing it right in front of our eyes, minutes before a game.

Fucking hell.

My stomach rolls, and my fingers dig into the sleeve of Colt’s jersey even more as I pull him closer. “Colt. Fix this.”

Colt steps forward, but his hands are just as tied as mine.

“Coach,” he starts.

“Not now, Thorne,” Coach barks, glaring at Theo. “Get your skates on, and get your ass on the ice, Taylor. We’ll discuss this in private.”

“Bullshit,” Theo spits. His skin is mottled with red, and there’s a vein in his forehead throbbing as he curls his upper lip, refusing to back down. “Me dating Blake isn’t a big deal. Why won’t you––”

“Blake, you’re fired!” Coach snaps. His words wash over me like a vat of acid, but I’m too stunned to speak, let alone register his words.

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