15
Granger
As I sat through business management class, I wanted to bang my head against my desk repeatedly. What the fuck was I thinking, telling her I’m going to smack that delicious ass of hers? Would she even like that? Her pulse was racing right under my lips as I placed a feather of a kiss on her swan-like neck. Maybe she would, but what if that sets her back? Fucking hell, she might not even want me like that. She did say she’s my fake girlfriend after that kiss, and that alone punched me right in the balls. I keep forgetting she’s not really mine to have, but do I even want that to begin with? The urge to smack her perfect ass when she walked away from me had my right hand twitching, and it took everything inside not to do it just to hear the sound of my palm slapping her butt cheek.
Lord, help me. I’m in danger with my Princess. She doesn’t need a boyfriend, but she does need a friend. I can be that, sure, no problem. I’ll be the best damn friend she’s ever had—one that kisses her every once and a while.
By the time the professor dismisses us from class, I’ve missed the whole lecture and am walking out of class with my head in the clouds. I’m so deep in my thoughts, a girlish scream almost bursts out of my throat when Beast slaps me on the back. He raises his dark brows in a ‘what the fuck is wrong with you?’ expression. I wish I fucking knew.
“Brother, practice was brutal today, but the whole team is talking about Jeff’s dumbass move. Could have fucking hurt you out there with that dirty move he played, and where would we be in the championships? He wasn’t thinking about the team, that’s for sure,” Beast grumbles under his breath while stroking his short beard as the student body dodges out of his way.
He has his thinking face on, the one where he doesn’t notice anything going on around him, and I wonder what’s eating him.
“I’m done dealing with that ass-hat. He needs to get over himself and stop trying to be me. It’s time the team started thinking as one again.” Beast stumbles in shock as my words register, and snaps his face around to look at me with his mouth open in surprise.
“What?” I ask grumpily, heading toward the cafeteria and rolling my eyes when I notice him shaking his head with a small smile appearing under his beard.
“The captain has returned. Did you hear about Victoria and Jeff?” he asks in a serious tone while glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. It almost looks like he’s holding his breath.
“Princess and I ran into Victoria earlier. You should have seen her, Beast. She was incredible.” A smile forms over my face the more I think about it.
“Victoria? Man, you are not going back to the bitch after everything she did. I thought you had a thing for Kat?!” Beast practically shouts, his arm shooting out to stop me in my tracks and his face almost furious.
“What the hell? I’m talking about Kat! This different side of her came out—it was possessive and pure fire. She brings these feelings to the surface that I didn’t know I really had. I need to wrap her in my arms and hold tight until I know she’s okay.” Confessing my feelings in the middle of the crowded hallway to Beast was not part of my plans, and the fucker has the nerve to chuckle at my expense.
“That’s good, man. Keep feeling those things, and you never know…Kat might just be the real deal. Are you not even going to ask about the Jeff and Victoria rumor?” He continues walking when he glances around to see people staring at us.
“I’m really not interested in knowing. My mind is already full. I have a surprise for Princess and I’m hoping she likes it.” My idea might be too soon, but I think it’s just what she needs to feel more normal.
“They broke up, it’s all over campus,” Beast mumbles, stomping past a herd of giggling girls trying to get his attention. The guy doesn’t even notice them.
“That’s nice. Do you think she’ll think I’m a fucking idiot for helping her out?” I’m worried I might be overstepping with my surprise for Princess. She’s trying to gain the independence that’s been taken away from her, and I’m afraid I’ll ruin it by trying to help out.
A group of male students walk by, waving and raising their hands for a high five. Beast raises his head from looking at the ground as he walks to slap another student's hand without even glancing at the passing student. This place is a zoo, and the only way to survive is to smile and wave while being cautious of who you can trust. A pack of animals could eat you alive in this type of environment, unless you show them who's boss.
“You the man, Granger!”
“Kick some hockey ass!”
“Beast. Beast. Beast.” The chants come and go with each step we take.
The hollers keep coming, and I feel my chest expand in a relieved breath when we finally make it through the cafeteria doors. My eyes scan the crowded tables, looking for my girl, but she’s nowhere to be found. I should have gone to that coffee joint she loves. Eyes swing our way, making me feel like I’m under a microscope. The coach keeps saying to get used to people gawking, since it’ll keep happening once we go pros. This attention might have been great a year ago, when the pussy was easy and people wanted to be us, but fuck, I’m over it—the drama and pretending. I want something real. Is it so bad that I want my Princess sitting in my lap so I can watch her smile as she laughs with her friend?
My groan reaches Beast’s ears, and he chuckles as he gives me a slap on the back that almost sends me flying forward. It’s like having Thor’s meaty fist slamming onto your back.
“Bro, you have it bad. Trust Kat. I have a feeling that girl is one of a kind,” He mutters to me before rubbing his hands together as he stares at the lunch menu, then he eagerly rushes over to place his food order.
“Don’t I know it.” I whisper under my breath, and follow Beast to place my order.
* * *
Sweat drips down my temple,my arms straining to lift the bar above my head before lowering it with a grunt and then repeating the whole process all over again. Beast spots me, his hands hovering over the bar in case I drop the heavy fucker. Weight training every day for two hours is a pain, but it’s a stress reliever at the same time, pushing me to keep going until my whole body is energized and shaking. My hockey career is my main focus when I’m in this gym, and every muscle in my body strains and flexes with the weights. The results are to keep me in shape for the ice, to bulk up for all the hits I take from the other teams, and to make sure I fucking glide across that ice with every slide of my skates. I’ve worked hard to be in fit shape, and quitting isn’t an option in my life. I keep fighting with everything I have.
“Beast, go work on your calves. I want you walking like a newborn calf by the time you leave. Don’t forget to fucking stretch, I got it from here,” Coach says as he walks around to stand at my head, and I look at him from upside down, as he watches everyone like a hawk.
The guy really does care about his team, making sure we have everything we need and pushing us beyond ourselves. He’s more of a father figure than my own dad. It’s not like he’s giving us a band-aid or any shit like that for a cut, but he’s there, yelling in your face to not give up. Grunts and groans sound around the gym as my team works out, but it’s quieter since Coach came over to spot me. Nosey asses are waiting to hear what he has to say, and I just wait as my arms pump the weight bar up again.
“You did good this morning at practice, Wilder. It took a lot of you to not engage in a fight and skate away. That’s the kind of captain this team needs from you, keeping them on their asses and focused on the game.” Coach doesn’t look at me as he talks, he’s glancing around the room with an all too knowing gaze.
