I skip classes on Tuesday. I can’t remember the last time I did that. I woke up to a single text.
ASH
It’s going to take a lot more than some asshole ex-boyfriend to scare me off.
I was relieved until Everly showed me some articles that popped up this morning, circulating rumors that the Wildcats are working on a trade that’d send Ash to Chicago or Dallas.
My feelings have morphed from sadness and guilt to anger. And I know just who to take it out on.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Scarlett asks. “Or wait until Ash gets back.”
She looks a little nervous on my behalf.
“No. I need to do this on my own. Thank you for getting me in.”
“Of course.” She walks me past security to the elevators. “Get off on the top floor. Third door on the right. He should be there now according to my sources.”
I don’t ask who her sources are, just nod.
“If you’re not back in ten minutes, I’m sending security.”
“I’ll be fine,” I say more for my benefit than hers.
The top floor of the building is quiet when I step off onto the marble floors. Framed photos of the team line the wall. I even see one of Ash. He has his hands raised over his head and a huge smile on his face. It’s a good reminder of why I’m doing this. For him, because he loves this team more than anything. And for me, because I want to put the past behind me and plan a future with Ash.
I don’t bother knocking when I find the office I’m looking for. I don’t even give myself time to think, I just push open the door.
Gabe sits behind his desk with a large, curved monitor in front of him. His expression switches from surprise to barely contained glee when I close the door behind me.
“Bridget. To what do I owe this surprise visit?”
My stomach twists. It’s not the same fear I had the last time I saw him, but I won’t lie, he does scare me. But I know he gets off on that fear and I refuse to let him see it. Not anymore.
“Cut the crap, Gabe. You know why I’m here.”
“I did hear something about a disciplinary meeting with your boy toy and Jim.” He clicks his tongue. “I knew you’d run and cry to him. I’ve gotta say, he has more restraint than I thought. I had a hard time getting get him to crack.”
“You wanted him to hit you?” I’m such an idiot. I fell right into his trap.
“With the shitty stats he’s put up this season, it’s probably enough to finally get him out of here. I’ve been pushing for a trade for months, but the organization is split. What Jim and Coach Miller see in him, I don’t know.”
“Of course, you don’t. You are pathetic. God. I wish I’d never met you.”
His face reddens. “Is that what you came to say?”
“No. I came to say this. Whatever game you’re playing, it ends right now. You and I are over. Trading Ash isn’t going to change that.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m doing this organization a favor by getting him out of here. But you should thank me. That guy is trash on and off the ice.”
“Ash is twice the man you’ll ever be.”
“I think you’ve been spending a little too much time with the other puck sluts, Bridge.” He rolls his eyes.
“What is wrong with you? Seriously? Why are you such an asshole?”
“You can hate me all you want, but your boyfriend is washed up. He’s on the downhill slide of his career and my job is to make sure we have the best players money can buy. This has nothing to do with us.”
“Nothing to do with us? You used me.”
“I did what I had to. You didn’t really think I wanted you back now that you’ve whored yourself around, did you?”
I huff a bitter laugh. “You’re delusional.”
The proud smile on his face fills me with so much rage. Every cell in my body screams at me to leave, but if there’s any chance I can change his mind about trading Ash, I need to take it.
“I don’t know that much about hockey or stats, but I know that if you think trading him is best for the Wildcats, then you are even dumber than you look. He’s the heart of this team. You can’t replace what he brings to this organization with stats. The fans love him. His teammates love him. This whole city loves him. He is so much more than you give him credit for.”
More than he even gives himself credit for.
“If you’re done getting up on your ridiculous soapbox, then I think it’s time for you to stop wasting my time and leave.” His grip tightens on his pen. “I have a job to do here.”
“And if I don’t? Are you going to hurt me again?” My heart is beating so fast, feet begging me to run in the opposite direction.
It’s the first time I’ve ever stood up to him and he’s as thrown by it as I am to be finally saying it. He doesn’t move, but a muscle in his jaw flexes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If I hurt you, it wasn’t intentional.”
Of course, he would deny it.
“You have a problem, Gabe. But you’ll never lay a hand on me again. I have people in my life now that have my back and you better believe I will not hesitate to tell them and anyone else that will listen just what a sleaze you are. You think you can ruin Ash? Ha! He’s irreplaceable, but you’re just another mediocre guy with a fancy office on a power trip.”
“Get the fuck out of my office, Bridget.”
“With pleasure, but first I want to tell you how things are going to go between you and me from now on. I’m going to walk out of this office, and I never want to see you again. Do not call me. Do not try to talk to me. If you see me walking down the street, turn around and go the other way. Because if you so much as look at me ever again, it won’t be just Ash coming after you, it’ll be the entire goddamn team. I know where their loyalty lies and it sure as hell isn’t with you.”
Bluffing? Yes, but it has the desired impact. His jaw is so tight. Good. I hope he cracks a molar.
I turn and place a hand on the doorway. My fingers are trembling. “And find a new coffee shop.”
As soon as I’m out of the office, I slump against the wall and let a whoosh of air out of my lungs.
“Wow. That was amazing,” Scarlett says slowly. Her brows are raised, and she has a shocked smile on her face.
“What are you…” I start to ask as I realize she was out here the whole time. I cringe a little at some of the things she overheard.
“I wasn’t leaving you alone with that prick, are you kidding me?”
I crush her against me in a fierce hug. “Thank you.”
She laughs as her arms tighten around me. “You’re welcome. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good.” A slight fib, but I will be.
We head back downstairs and out of the building. Neither of us speaks again until we’re in her car.
Scarlett looks over at me as she starts the engine. “You know, you were absolutely right back there.”
“About?”
“We all have your back.”
“Oh. Yeah. I embellished a smidge. I just wanted to scare him a little.”
“I know, but it’s true. I said it before and you didn’t believe me, but I’m going to keep saying it. We’re here for you. If Gabe touches you again, it won’t just be Ash or the guys he’ll have to worry about.” She pulls her sunglasses down over her eyes and a wicked smile takes over her face. “Hockey wives are much scarier and far more creative with doling out pain and punishment.”
