15. Bristol

Chapter 15

Bristol

Bursting with people, Pipes seemed completely different from the last time I'd been there. The second I stepped inside, Dakota began waving her arms like a crazy person at a table down front. They'd taken a bunch of smaller tables and created a giant long one to accommodate the large group of Comets and Speed players who had come to witness the celebration of love. Not that Dakota knew anything about it.

And sure enough, Hannah was on stage, loving the spotlight as she belted out a classic power ballad. She was making love to the crowd, but you couldn't deny that woman's confidence or talent. I wished I possessed an ounce of either one.

Dakota pulled out an empty chair beside her, and I dropped into it. She'd already ordered me a drink, and I tipped the glass of amber liquid to my mouth, savoring the burn.

She gestured around the table. "You remember everyone, right?"

The Comets in attendance were those closest to her and Braxton. Of course, there was his brother, Jaxon, who gave me a warm smile, along with his wife, Natalie, who waved. Then, there were Benji Mason and Cal Berg. They both gave me polite nods, and a few of the Speed players winked at me. Alyssa had been right when she said they were a bunch of flirts, but they were always respectful, which was more than I could say for their head coach.

Just thinking about my earlier interaction with Maddox had my blood boiling. There was more to what happened in that hallway than he'd let on.

I'd watched the entire thing. His entire demeanor shifted after speaking with Jaxon. He became visibly agitated, struggling with what seemed like inner demons. I had been glued to the spot, stunned, when he raised his fist, preparing to strike the wall. Thank God Hannah showed up when she did because I couldn't make my voice work or my feet move to stop him.

It got more interesting after that. He and Hannah had a hushed conversation, and there was a familiarity between them that I became curious about. When Cal joined them, it didn't go unnoticed how he staked a claim on his wife, pulling her away from Maddox. Then Hannah said something that made Cal snap, and he shoved her forcefully against the wall.

When they left and I approached Maddox, he evaded my line of questioning, further confirming there was more to the story. But what?

Dakota bumped my shoulder with hers, leaning in to whisper, "What's with the resting bitch face?"

"What?" I pulled back in shock. "I don't have that!"

My best friend smirked, tapping on her phone and pulling up a picture she must have taken without my knowledge while I'd been lost in thought. I was definitely giving off don't fuck with me vibes.

"What's wrong?" She eyed me with concern.

"Nothing." I threw a fake smile on my face. "Just thinking about deadlines. Sorry. "

Pull it together, Bristol. Tonight is her night, even if she doesn't know it yet. Don't make it about you.

The music flowing through speakers strategically placed throughout the bar lowered in volume as Hannah's song came to a close. She jumped down from the stage and collapsed into the seat across the table from mine.

Blue eyes bright and cheeks flushed, she declared, "I fucking love this place!" She gestured to Natalie. "We need to scope out a karaoke bar back home for girls' night."

Seated on the other side of Cal, Natalie laughed. "Good luck jailbreaking Amy." Leaning forward to speak to Dakota, she said, "Did I tell you she's pregnant again?"

Dakota's mouth dropped open. "No! How did that not come up? We hung out all day!"

Natalie held up a hand, spreading her fingers wide. "Five kids, Dakota. Five. I can barely think straight most days." She gave Jaxon a nudge with her elbow. "Thank God he finally got fixed."

Jaxon shuddered. "Don't remind me. They didn't even have the decency to knock me out. I could smell the burning flesh."

His blonde wife glared at him. "Am I supposed to feel bad for you?"

"Maybe a little." He gave her puppy-dog eyes.

Natalie snorted. "Fat chance, buddy. I birthed your big-headed children. You don't get to complain."

"At least you got a prize at the end," Jaxon grumbled. "All I got was bruised balls."

"Okay!" Cal held his hands up, halting the conversation. "That's enough. We're trying to have a nice night out, and all you two are doing is turning everyone's stomachs. Someone pick a new topic."

Don't do it. Don't do it .

The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. "Hannah, how do you know Maddox? He wouldn't tell me."

Dammit.

One of Cal's blond eyebrows arched as he assessed me. "Maddox?" His tone was that of a disapproving older brother.

Fuck. Way to play it cool, Bristol.

"Coach Sterling," I corrected.

A devilish gleam entered Hannah's blue eyes, and she reclined in her chair. "Oh, Maddox and I go waaaaaaaay back."

Cal's warning growl was so loud I jumped. He was one big scary dude, and boy was I glad he'd played for my favorite team all those years. I couldn't imagine going up against him on the ice. How did the opposing team not piss themselves when he was skating straight at them? When he laid a hit, it had to hurt.

Hannah was undeterred. "A few years ago, he bought me a couple of drinks, and we shared a dance. That was until this big lug"—she threw a thumb in Cal's direction—"went all caveman on him." She cupped a hand beside her mouth conspiratorially, stage-whispering, "He's the jealous type."

From what I'd seen earlier, that wasn't an over-exaggeration.

Cal's massive hand shifted from where it rested at the back of her chair, sliding up until the palm spanned the back of her neck. She leaned into the possessive hold, sighing.

Guess that works for some people.

Smirking, she remarked, "Congrats, by the way, if you're taking a ride on that pogo stick."

"Excuse me?" My eyes bulged.

Who the hell told Hannah?

I shifted my gaze to Dakota beside me, but she shook her head, indicating she hadn't been the one to spill the beans. Considering Braxton wasn't the biggest fan of our hookup and was worried about the career implications, it didn't make sense for him to be blabbing about it, either.

Hannah continued, "Things got a little handsy that night. The man is packing."

Cal wasted no time in hauling her onto his lap. His voice was low but still audible over the hum of chatter surrounding us. "Unless you want to be on your knees in a filthy bar bathroom, you'll lock it up."

I watched on as desire flashed in Hannah's sparkling eyes, and she shifted on Cal's lap. "Don't tempt me with a good time." He grunted, but she continued, "And there's no need to feel inferior about Maddox's dick size. You're no less impressive."

"Like I don't know that, having showered with the guy for two years," he grumbled.

I guess that laid the question of whether guys peeked in the shower to rest.

Hannah turned to me expectantly, but I was still reeling, trying to figure out how she knew I'd slept with Maddox while coming to grips with her knowledge of how he compared to her husband below the waist.

"Um—I don't—We're not—"

"Oh. I see," Hannah said knowingly. "Still in the denial stage. We've all been there, haven't we, girls?" She peeked at Natalie and Dakota, and they both nodded in agreement.

"You don't understand," I tried. "We can't."

She scoffed. "Girl, I took the book on ‘we can't' and threw it right out the window. If I'd followed the rules, I would be a sad, single, thirty-four-year-old woman having an endless stream of lousy, meaningless sex. Breaking the rules set me free. Highly recommend. "

Hannah made it sound so simple when it was anything but. She'd had to fight tooth and nail to get where she was with Cal. They eventually got their happy ending, but it hadn't come easy.

Of course, my situation was a little different. Maddox and I would be walking into a gray area—it was strongly discouraged, even if not outright forbidden. I was just getting settled in Indy; it wasn't worth rocking the boat.

"Tell me that he doesn't know exactly where everything is." Hannah waggled her eyebrows.

Cal muttered, "He's lucky I didn't break his hand for touching what was mine."

My mouth dropped open. Earlier, when she'd mentioned getting handsy with Maddox, I figured she meant over the clothes, especially when she said they only shared a dance. But this new comment made it seem like it was more.

Insecurity rushed in like a tidal wave. Hannah was stunning and confident in ways I would never be. She didn't need a man to define her. She would have never put up with Nix's bullshit, letting him push her around.

If you put Hannah and me next to each other in a lineup, I might get some interest due to my red hair and the always intriguing do-the-carpets-match-the-drapes curiosity that came with it. But I was willing to bet that nine times out of ten, they would take the woman sitting across from me. She screamed sex appeal, and I seemed like a child by comparison.

I stood suddenly, my chair clattering to the ground. All eyes turned to me and the spectacle I was making.

Face flaming, I stammered, "I need to use the restroom. Excuse me."

Dakota grabbed my hand before I could escape. Her eyes were full of concern. "Do you want me to come with you? "

I knew she meant well, but I needed a minute alone to take a deep breath and reset. Maddox wasn't even here, yet he was still managing to wreak havoc on my life. That man was bad news all the way around. The universe kept trying to warn me to stay away, and it was about damn time that I listened.

"No." I gave her what I hoped was a convincing smile. "I'm fine."

Her expression was full of doubt as she scanned my face, but she nodded. "Okay."

Peeking over her head, I locked eyes with Braxton. He gave me an imperceptible nod, letting me know he wouldn't do anything until I returned.

Stepping around the fallen chair, I righted it before sneaking off to the bathroom to get my emotions in check.

Thankfully, the room was empty, and I didn't have to hide in a stall. Grabbing a paper towel, I dampened it with cool water before pressing it to my cheeks.

Why did it bother me so much that Maddox and Hannah had had an intimate interaction? He wasn't mine. I didn't even want him. This kind of irrational jealousy was stupid high school shit, and I needed to snap out of it.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror above the sink, I took a cleansing breath, trying to clear my mind, but one thought still remained.

Why was I never jealous when I knew Nix was sleeping with other women?

I squeezed my eyes shut as my hands shook at the memory of the weak woman I had once been. I was stronger now, independent, and if there was one thing I'd learned from that chapter of my life, it was that I deserved to put myself first.

So that's what I was going to do from here on out. I called the shots, not anyone else. I decided what brought me happiness. And right now, that was my job. Even if a certain tall, dark, and handsome man was firmly attached to it. He wasn't going to ruin this for me. I wouldn't let him.

Emboldened, I smoothed both hands over my shirt and left the ladies' room, ready to celebrate my bestie's big night.

I made it all of two steps before a voice crooned from behind, "Coop, baby. Looking good."

And just like that, all the confidence I'd gathered faded away.

There was only one man who had ever called me Coop. And he was the only man in the world I prayed that I would never set eyes on again. Why, tonight of all nights, did he have to make a reappearance?

Not turning around, I cursed myself for the way my voice wavered. "Whatever you're selling, I'm not buying."

He clicked his tongue, admonishing, "Aw, come on, baby. After all we've been through?"

How about all you've put me through, asshole?

The hairs on the back of my neck rose as I felt him draw closer. I physically recoiled when his arm brushed mine as he stepped in front of me. Nausea churned in my gut when my eyes met those of the one and only Levi Nixon, womanizer extraordinaire.

After months spent apart, I saw him in a completely different light. What I had once seen as a charming smile now gave me the creeps as he leered at me with a wolfish glint in his eyes. His cologne—which I had once sprayed on a T-shirt so I could smell him as I slept—was overpowering, giving me a headache.

Maybe it was because I now knew what he really was. A predator. He knew I was too weak to break away, so he'd used it to his advantage for years—years I would never get back.

And to think, I'd thought I was in love with him. What a stupid, silly girl I had been .

"Levi, leave me alone." My voice was weak, lacking the necessary conviction to make him walk away. Not that he would, anyway. He was an entitled prick.

He raised an eyebrow. "Levi? What happened to Nix?" I shook like a leaf as he reached up a hand to brush my hair over my shoulder and leaned in to whisper in my ear, "I always loved our little nicknames. You were special."

I wanted to scream, to beat on his chest, to push him away, but being near him again zapped me of all my strength. What kind of fucking dark magic did he possess?

Nix pressed his body into mine, pinning me against the wall, and all I could manage was a squeak.

How did I end up like this? Was no one worried that I was gone? Did they know he was here?

I couldn't imagine he'd been an invited guest tonight. Braxton hated him.

"Can you feel how much I've missed you?" The words came out husky as he ground his erection against my belly.

Bile rose in my throat at the thought of ever sleeping with him again.

"No." My voice was barely audible in my panicked state.

"Come on, tell me you don't want one more night. For old time's sake." He pressed his forehead to mine.

"Please," I begged. "Just leave."

"The lady said no," a voice boomed.

Both our heads turned to the side to find Maddox standing at the end of the corridor, his green eyes hardened as he took in the scene before him. And for the first time since I started my job reporting on the Speed, I was glad to see him .

Nix pushed off the wall, and I took a deep breath for the first time in what seemed like hours. He had a habit of sucking all the air from the room and leaving none for anyone else.

"This doesn't concern you, Sterling."

Maddox's fists clenched by his side, and the tendons stood out along his neck. "It does when you have one of my team's reporters pinned against a wall, and she has very clearly expressed she's not interested."

A condescending laugh fell from Nix's lips. "Why don't you go home and figure out how you're going to have your players stop me on the ice tomorrow night? That would be a better use of your time instead of cockblocking me."

"Nix, stop!" My voice was slowly regaining strength.

Green eyes widened in the dimly lit hallway. Maddox huffed out in disbelief, " This is Nix?"

Cockiness seeped into Nix's tone. "I see my reputation precedes me."

"Maddox . . ." I didn't know how to explain. This was so, so bad.

Maniacal laughter sounded, and Nix looked between the pair of us, gesturing with his hand. "Seriously? You two?" He slapped his thigh, the sharp crack deafening in the small space. "Oh God, this is too good. A bunny for the bench boss. I bet you thought those days were long gone when you trashed your knee, didn't you, Sterling?"

"It's time to walk away," Maddox gritted out.

Nix approached the raging bull of a man opposite him with a swagger in his step. "Don't let her pull the bait and switch on you, though. She'll convince you she's in it for the fun, but the second you let your guard down, she asks for more than you're willing to give." He peeked at me over his shoulder. "Hot little piece of ass, I'll give her that. You could do worse for my sloppy seconds. "

Before I knew it, Nix was flat on his back as Maddox straddled his prone form, wailing on him, fists flying.

Shocked for a split second, I sprang into action, screaming, "Maddox, stop!"

When he didn't listen, I rushed forward to try and tug him off Nix. Maddox was a man possessed, unrelenting as he beat the shit out of the man beneath him. One of his backswings caught me in the hip, and I stumbled backward, landing on my ass.

"You're going to kill him!"

Steps sounded from behind me, and I was hauled off the ground and hugged tight to a muscular chest. Muffled voices and grunts were coming from the area where Maddox had Nix pinned, and a sob bubbled up from my chest. Whoever held me stroked my hair softly, murmuring, "You're okay. I've got you."

There was a final scuffle, and eventually, silence descended on the hallway. Almost afraid to look, I peeked to the side to find Levi propped against the wall, his face a bloody mess.

His lips pulled back in a sneer as he declared, "Your lover boy is gonna pay for this, Coop. Mark my words."

Guilt washed over me, hot and heavy. Maddox could lose everything because of me.

"Come on, let's get you out of here." The voice of the man who held me sounded all too familiar. Daring to peer up, I found myself in the arms of Jaxon Slate. Oh, if only my pre-teen self could see me now. She would have died.

I let Jaxon lead me back to the table, which was mostly empty now.

The moment Dakota saw me, she rushed forward, pulling me into a tight hug. "Oh, Bristol. "

Hot tears tracked down my cheeks; I couldn't hold them back. My past and present colliding—literally—was too much. I was stupid to think I could avoid running into Nix when I decided to work for another hockey team.

It didn't matter that I'd put nearly a thousand miles of space between us. Nix's shadow followed me wherever I went. My past would always haunt me.

Over her shoulder, my watery vision found Braxton. I mouthed, I'm sorry , knowing I'd ruined his planned proposal.

Instead of frustration or anger, all I found in his eyes was compassion as he mouthed back, It's okay .

Stepping out of our embrace, Dakota kept her hands on my shoulders. "Did you drive here?" I nodded, and she offered, "Let me take you home."

I tried to brush her off, telling her I was fine, but she wouldn't hear of it.

She threw her arm around my waist, and we walked side by side out of Pipes and into the chilly fall air. "What a night." She sighed, taking my keys and sliding into the driver's seat.

I was having a pity party for one as I collapsed onto the passenger seat but decided that I would rather laugh with my bestie than cry any more tears. I joked, "It wasn't all bad. I got to live out my teenage fantasy of being held in Jaxon's arms."

She snorted, putting the car in drive. "That's my girl. Finding the silver lining."

"It was kinda fatherly, though," I mused.

Dakota chuckled. "It's weird, right? There's no denying he and Natalie are the mom and dad of the group. I guess when you have that many kids, it comes naturally."

As we drove through the dark streets of the Indianapolis suburbs, the events of the evening crashed down on me .

"Nix is gonna press charges," I said softly.

Reaching for my hand, Dakota gave it a squeeze over the center console. "The guys will take care of it. You'll see."

I wasn't so sure.

"Braxton was worried about me losing my job after sleeping with Maddox. I might be the one who costs him his."

Dakota put the car in park when we reached my house, and the headlights of a vehicle stopping behind us illuminated the interior. There was no doubt that Braxton had followed us to take his girl home.

What I wouldn't give to have a thoughtful guy take an interest in me for once. I only seemed to attract the duds.

Maybe I should have been more discerning when it came to men. I was too eager, gave up too much too soon, and they didn't respect me. I was simply reaping what I sowed.

"You want me to sleep over?" she offered, handing me my keys.

"Nah." I shook my head. "Go home. I'll see you tomorrow at the game."

Her lips twisted like she was unsure if leaving me alone was the right choice.

"Seriously. I'll be fine," I promised.

"Okay," Dakota said on an exhale, knowing I could be as stubborn as a mule.

We got out of the car and hugged once more before saying goodnight.

Stepping inside my house, I locked the front door before sliding down the length of it until I sat on the floor, hugging my knees to my chest.

How did my life get so freaking complicated?