“Yeah,” I breathed out.
“I don’t know what the two of you have going on, but it’s clear that she cares.”
“That’s not the story she’s been selling. Keeps telling me she’s done with hockey players.”
“Can you blame her?” Cal challenged. “You saw what the last one was like.”
“I’m nothing like him,” I spat back.
“You’re right. You’re not. But she’s been hurt. She’s protecting herself.”
“I fucking hate this.” I began to pace the alley, needing an outlet for my frustration.
There was a knock from the other side of the metal door, and Jenner stepped aside as it cracked open. Benji Mason poked his head out, declaring, “Okay, we’ve got it handled.”
“Bristol?” I asked hopefully.
“No, saving your dumb ass.” He shook his head. “I’ve never been more thankful I only have boys. With a girl, you gotta worry about all the horned-up idiots out there who wanna get in their pants and lose all sense of reason.”
“Yeah, but with boys, you gotta worry about them knocking up the preacher’s daughter at sixteen.” Cal showed Benji no mercy.
Benji scoffed, rolling his eyes. “That happenedonetime.”
Cal chuckled. “That’s one time too many.”
“Fuck off,” Benji grumbled. “Knox is awesome, and I don’t regret his existence for even one minute. You’re just jealous.”
Jenner cut them off. “Okay, so what’s the plan?”
Benji stepped through the door. “I talked to Larry, the owner. He checked the security cameras from the bathroom hallway and confirmed that Levi was holding Bristol against her will. And since he’s apparently a big fan of Maddox’s, he agreed to hand over that footage to us. Which we will now use as leverage should Levi threaten to press charges. If that’s the route he wants to take, then we will make sure Coach ends up with that tape. I’m willing to bet he will see the light. We all know how protective Ace Moreau can be over young women. Isn’t that right, Cal, buddy?”
Cal only growled in response.
“That’s what I thought.” Benji smirked. “So, you’re free and clear, Maddox.”
The relief at knowing I hadn’t flushed my career down the toilet over a woman who wanted nothing to do with me was only a slight comfort when Bristol was scared and hurting.
“Thanks, man.” I sighed, dragging a hand down my face.
Benji lifted a shoulder before letting it drop. “Eh. It’s been a while since we had any drama in Hartford. Guess we needed to come to Indy tooutsource some.” A smirk crept onto his lips. “You know . . . If you really wanted to thank us, you could throw the game tomorrow night.”
I snorted. “Fat chance.”
“Was worth a try.” His unique gray eyes sparkled in the dim light.
Tilting my head toward the back door, I asked, “She still inside?”
“Nah. Dakota took her home.”
Fuck. I’d completely forgotten why we were gathered as one at Pipes tonight.
“Shit. I ruined the proposal, didn’t I?” Guilt burned through my veins.
Cal’s hand came down on my shoulder. “No. Levi did that. Not you.”
Leaning against the brick wall, I closed my eyes and dropped my head back, letting the rough bricks scrape against my scalp. But even with my relaxed posture, my fists were still tightly clenched, pulling at the skin of my knuckles, raw from fighting with Nixon. I still wanted to hurt him for hurting her, not just in the past but for reopening the wounds when he showed up tonight.
Jenner was the voice of reason. “She’s got her support system here. You need to give her space.”
