Page 40 of Blindside Sinner

SLOAN:Beck landed himself into the penalty box after boarding the dude who came after our goalie.

SLOAN:Too bad we don’t have a penalty box in real life. He could use a fucking timeout.

I snort. She should be grateful we don’t have one or I’d lock her ass in it every time she disrespects me.

Regardless, it’s a shock to see just how much she actually paid attention after all. For someone who doesn’t like hockey, Sloan sure knows the lingo. Hearing her talk about boarding and steals isn’t enough to fully get rid of the low-grade irritation that’s been clouding me all night, but it does help somewhat.

I’m about to dig through the rest of the next text threads, one from Cassie and another from someone named “BH,” when I hear Sloan’s voice echoing through the tunnel. Acting quickly, I pull up a blank text and send it to myself, waiting for my phone to vibrate in my locker before deleting the thread like it was never there.

I’m stripped and under the shower by the time she finally talks her way into the locker room. At least, that’s what I assume all the low curses and shouts are about.

“You in here?” I call.

“Just came to get my phone, Beckett.”

Oh, she’s using the full name. She must be mad.

Good.I like her mad.

“You’ll have to come a little closer if that’s what you want.”

I can practically hear her grinding her molars. “If you get my phone wet and it stops working, you’re buying me a new one.”

“Oh, no,” I deadpan. “However will I afford a new phone with all my money?”

“Shut up, asswipe. Not everyone has money like you.”

“Don’t throw a hissy fit. I promise your phone is safe.”

“I don’t even know why you took it,” Sloan snarls, stepping closer to the shower area, though remaining out of the splash zone.

“You weren’t paying attention.”

“Yes, I was.”

“Who had more of your attention: the team or your friends? Texting throughout an entire game doesn’t leave a lasting impression on your boss.”

She’s wishing she could kill me. I can see the madness in her eyes. “You are most definitelynotmy boss.”

“You’re right. Vivian is. I wonder howshewould feel about you spending your time on your phone?”

“She’d say that I was exercising my right to entertain myself at a game I’m not fond of.”

“Or would she say you were violating the terms of your contract?”

Her silence tells me everything I need to know.

“It doesn’t matter,” I relent. “I’m not going to tell her. I can fight my own battles.”

She scowls, all attitude all the time. In another life, I think my father would’ve loved her. At the very least, he would’ve found a use for her, which is almost the same thing to him.

“Can I have my phone back now?” she demands.

I hand it over. Not because she asked, but because I’ve got everything I need for the time being. I’m going to crack Sloan open like a clock and see exactly what makes her tick.

Then I’m going to crush her and start my life over again.

I let the water run off me in rivulets. She’s gawking at my body like she’s ready to drop to her knees and worship at my altar. The idea of it sends blood straight to my cock.

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