Huh? What is he talking about?
“Jamie? Why should he be relieved? And how did you two hear about my ex getting pregnant? Do you know Audrey?”
Now it’s Luke who looks confused as he blinks a few times, trying to make sense of what I just told him.
“Your ex is pregnant?” he finally asks. “Is there any chance it could be yours?”
I shake my head. “No. Between the deployment and everything, we haven’t seen each other for a little over a year.”
“Right.” He says.
I’ve known my team captain for just a few months. But we moved in together straight after summer training, so I like to think we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well.
“You weren’t talking about Audrey when you asked me if I was ok.” It isn’t a question.
“I wasn’t.” He looks visibly uncomfortable, as if his skates were two sizes too small.
“What’s going on, Luke?” I ask.
“I… um. Jamie and I came here because there’s something we need to tell you and Connor.
My fingers tighten against the box of props I’m holding with white-knuckle force. I have the nagging feeling that he couldn’t find a place for his sister, and he managed to convince Jamie to back him. Of course, it’s no surprise that Jamie would come around to letting a pretty girl move in.
The truth, however, is even worse than what I imagined. I’m so fucking furious when I hear his story that I’m speechless. He takes my delayed reaction as a sign that this is something I can come around to. He’s fucking wrong.
“Look, Keene, I know you’re going to be angry.” He begins with a tone that he might think reasonable, but comes across as condescending. “But I had my back against the wall. And it turns out that so did Jamie. Letting Bex stay with us—with you guys, really—was a mutual beneficial decision. Once you get to know my sister, I’m sure you’ll?—”
“Angry?” I laugh. “Why? Because you decided to ignore mine and Connor’s feelings about having a stranger move in with us and stabbed us in the back?”
Every word I bite out is increasingly louder, but I do a good job of keeping my temper in check. At least for now.
Luke’s head rears back as if I had punched him in the face. Which, by the way, I’m seriously considering right now.
“I didn’t. Stab you in the back, I mean. Look, I was prepared to beg Candace to let Bex stay in the Zeta house, or to use every penny I have to get her a hotel room. They both would have been temporary situations, but this was an emergency. When the situation changed, can you blame me for killing two birds with one stone? Jamie risked being expelled, and that would have hurt the entire team.”
The worst part about this whole situation is that Luke isn’t completely wrong. His actions were self-serving, but it’s undeniable that he helped Jamie at the same time as helping himself. That doesn’t change the fact that he went against mine and Connor’s wishes.
“You did, and you fucking know it.” I seethe. “You could have helped Jamie without asking for your sister to stay in our dorm in exchange. You knew Connor and I didn’t want her there, but you did what suited you, anyway.”
I’m right, and we both know it.
Luke lowers his gaze. “I had no choice. The Dean and Coach agreed this was the only solution. Star Cove is a small town and at this point in the year, campus is full. The situation isn’t any better in town. All the places that rent to students tend to be full too, and it’s low season, so a lot of hotels and B&B’s are closed.”
I grind my teeth, feeling close to boiled point. “How the fuck is that my problem?”
Am I being an asshole? Maybe. But I think I’m in very good company.
Luke doesn’t back down. Our captain is a sweetheart all around, but I’ve seen him protect his teammates on the ice. If a fight erupts, Luke isn’t the type to back down.
“Do you want an apology for ignoring yours and Connor’s wishes?” he scowls. “I’m sorry. But I’m not going to apologize for helping my sister. If that was your daughter, you’d have done the same.”
Fuck.
The tenuous control I had on my temper snaps. Because Luke is one hundred percent right. And I don’t like it one bit. I lose my shit.
The box with my props hits the ice as I lunge. In the blink of an eye, I have Luke pinned against the boards. My forearm is pressed against his throat as he struggles against my hold.
Connor and Jamie are on us faster than lightning. I struggle when they force me back, pulling me away from our captain.
