They shoved at each other, but Marcus slammed into Cope,sending him flying back a few paces as he stole the puck. Marcus wasn’t quite as artful as Cope, but he managed to dodge the few players between him and the goal and slapped the puck in.
Linc shook his head. “I really hope those two don’t kill each other one day.”
I winced. “The whole violence piece of this sport isn’t really my favorite.”
Linc glanced down at me for a moment and then burst out laughing. “Sutton, I needed that.”
I fought a grin. “Are you saying I’d better get used to it?”
“That or buy a blindfold for the games. It’s up to you.”
I sighed. “Blood and gore, yay.”
Linc just grinned. “I can see why you’re so good for Cope. Keep at it. If there’s one person who deserves light in his life, it’s him.”
With that, Linc turned and strode off. But something told me Linc also needed light in his life.
48
COPE
“Dude, where is your head at?”Frankie muttered as he ran a towel over his short hair.
I grabbed my tee from the locker and pulled it on, annoyance flickering through me. “It was a scrimmage. For kids.”
But I knew he was right. I’d played like shit, getting bested by people who normally didn’t have a shot.
“Just do us a favor and get your head on straight before the season starts,” Marcus clipped, grabbing deodorant from his locker.
“Worry about your own game,” I shot back.
Marcus grinned, but it had a sharkish quality to it. “I don’t have to. I’m too busy stealing yours.”
I flipped him off as I lifted my gear bag over my shoulder and headed out of the locker room. I only made it two steps before nearly running into Sutton. She looked so unsure, nibbling her bottom lip and twisting her fingers together as if she were wringing water out of a towel.
Fuck this.
I grabbed her hand and pulled her into an office withManageron the door. It was a miracle it was open, given it was the weekend, and Arnie usually gave his management the time off. Flicking the light on, I closed the door behind us.
“I’m sorry,” Sutton blurted.
I moved into her space, my hand sliding along her jaw and into her hair. “I’m the one who’s sorry, Warrior. I should’ve told you about Angie. But I don’t even think about her anymore. Maybe that makes me a bastard, but it’s the truth.”
Sutton’s lips twitched. “Maybe just a little bit of a bastard.”
I chuckled. “There’s only one person who has ever slept in my bed, and that’s you.” Sutton’s eyes softened as my mouth ghosted over hers, and I dropped my bag to the floor. “Only you. Because you’re the only one I’ve truly let in. The only one who soothes my demons.”
“Cope,” Sutton breathed against my mouth.
“I don’t want you to ever doubt how much you mean to me. How much I love you.”
Those turquoise eyes searched mine. “Your world…it’s a lot. I might’ve had a mini freakout that I wasn’t ready.”
My fingers tightened in Sutton’s hair, a flicker of panic igniting. “Warrior,” I growled. “Tell me you’re not bailing.”
“I’m not,” Sutton said quickly. “I think I was just scared.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You’ve given me so much that the idea of losing it, losing you…it’s like I can’t breathe.”
“I’m not going anywhere. It’s you and me. Whatever comes our way, we’ll handle it together.” Because I knew exactly how Sutton felt. Just thinking about life without her had cinder blocks pressing on my chest and panic setting in.
