10. Michael

10

Michael

I couldn't get Addison out of my mind all weekend. It was like a constant itch I couldn't scratch, a hunger I couldn't satisfy. I watched her from afar, always keeping my distance, but never letting her out of my sight. I needed to make sure she was safe, that no one else touched her. She was mine now, even if she didn't know it yet.

Monday afternoon rolled around, and I hit the ice for hockey practice. The ice beneath my skates was smooth and freshly Zambonied, reflecting the harsh lights of the college arena like a cold, glimmering mirror. It was a typical February morning, the chill of the rink seeping through my gear, numbing my fingertips as I adjusted my helmet. Levi Kennedy, quick on his feet and never smiling, joined me at the center circle, while Sawyer Wolfe glided over from the bench with a smirk on his face. We were the first line center trio, a unit on and off the ice, and today's practice was about perfecting our chemistry.

Coach Morgan blew his whistle, and we started with the basic drills—sharp passes and quick shots. I caught and released the puck in one fluid motion, watching as it sailed past the goalie and into the net. Sawyer tapped his stick against mine in celebration. Then it was his turn, his shot just as precise, his form impeccable. Levi called out adjustments, his voice echoing slightly in the vast, nearly empty arena.

As practice progressed, we moved on to more complex plays, designed to mimic game situations. "Carter, Kennedy, Wolfe—power play setup, let's see it," Coach called out, and we maneuvered into position.

I took the puck, weaving through imaginary opponents, passing to Sawyer who was hovering near the goal line. He faked a shot, then slid the puck to Levi at the point. The crisp sound of puck against stick filled the air as Levi took a blistering slap shot.

Breathing heavily, we lined up next for the breakout drill. It was all about speed and precision, escaping our defensive zone with control and quick transitions. Sawyer passed to me, and I bolted down the ice, feeling the cold air whip against my face. At the last possible second, I passed back to Levi, who broke out towards the opposing blue line. We repeated this, back and forth, the rhythm of the drill syncing with the pounding of my heart.

By the end of practice, we were exhausted, sweat dripping down our faces beneath our helmets, breaths visible in the frigid air. Despite the fatigue, there was a sense of accomplishment. We knew every drop of effort in practice was a drop of performance in a game. After we collected the pucks and headed off the ice, Sawyer clapped me on the back, and Levi didn't even look at me.

As I began to unstrap my helmet, ready to head off the ice, Eren skated up to me, his expression serious. He was a defender, built like a tank, and on the ice, he was an immovable object. "Hey, Carter, do you mind staying a bit longer? I want to work on a few defensive moves and could really use your help," he said, his breath forming clouds in the cold air.

I nodded. "Sure." Actually, I didn't. I wanted to get out of here, to check on Addison. "What do you need to work on?" I re-fastened my helmet.

Eren wanted to focus on his one-on-one defending, especially how to better anticipate and counter the moves of agile forwards during games. I played the role of an attacker, coming at him with different speeds and maneuvers, trying to mimic the styles of our toughest opponents. Each rush down the ice, I threw different challenges at him, alternating between rapid dekes and sudden stops, pushing him to adapt and respond.

His determination was clear as he met each of my attacks with a sharp focus, his body always between me and the goal. We repeated the drills until the movements were fluid, and his confidence visibly grew with each successful defense.

"That's it, Carter, come at me again!" Eren called out, wiping sweat from his brow, his eyes alight with the thrill of the challenge. His skates carved deep grooves into the ice as he pivoted and pushed off, matching my pace and angle.

When we finally called it quits, the rink was quieter, the sounds of our practice echoing off the empty stands. As we gathered our gear and made our way to the locker room, he clapped me on the shoulder, a grin breaking across his face.

"Thanks, man. I really needed that," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

We were alone in the locker room, the sound of our gear hitting the floor echoing off the walls. I could still feel the chill from the ice in my bones, but it was nothing compared to the coldness seeping into me as he started talking.

"So," Eren began, untying his skates with quick, jerky movements, "when do you think you'll do it?"

I looked up from my own skates, confusion momentarily furrowing my brow. "Do what?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes, a dismissive gesture that had my hands clenching. "Come on, man. You know. With Addison." He shoved his skates into his bag and stood up. "I don't want to wait forever for you to do it. I can barely keep it together around her as it is. But every time I think of what she is… I lose my appetite. I just want it gone so I can do whatever I want and not worry."

The air in the room felt too thick, my chest tight with anger at his words. Addison wasn't some problem to be solved or an item on a checklist. The way he talked about her, like she was a burden he wanted to be rid of, it pissed me off more than anything.

My jaw clenched so hard I could feel the muscles jumping in my face. "I suppose," I forced out through gritted teeth, standing up to tower over him slightly. "It depends on her." My tone was icy, a stark contrast to the sweat cooling on my back.

Eren seemed oblivious to the edge in my voice, too caught up in his own frustrations to notice. He sighed heavily and threw his towel over his shoulder, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe he had to deal with such an inconvenience.

"Yeah, well," he muttered, zipping up his bag with a force that seemed unnecessary, "just don't take too long, all right? Some of us have needs."

"Look," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "I don't know her. You're asking a lot, man."

Eren snorted, pulling his sweater over his head. "Like you're not attracted to her," he said with a scoff, fixing me with a knowing look. "Don't lie to me."

I felt my cheeks warm, but I forced my expression into one of concern. "It's not that," I countered. The taste of ash filled my mouth as I spoke the lie. "How am I supposed to do what you're asking if she's stiff as a board? She's not comfortable with me… not the way she is with you."

Eren's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered my words. He leaned back against his locker, arms crossed, a sure sign he was mulling something over.

"What are you saying?" he finally asked, his tone edged with impatience.

I hesitated for a moment, gauging my next words carefully. This was delicate territory and one wrong step could ruin everything I was trying to build for Addison and me.

"Well…" I began, the idea forming like a knot tightening in my stomach. "Do you think maybe I should, I don't know, teach her?" My voice was reluctant but hopeful. "So when we finally do it, she's not uncomfortable?"

The silence that followed stretched on, thick enough to choke on. He didn't move; his expression was unreadable—a blank slate that gave nothing away.

I waited, holding my breath without realizing it, trying to read any shift in his stance or flicker in his eyes that might betray his thoughts. But he remained as inscrutable as ever.

Finally, he pushed off from the locker and grabbed his bag from the bench. He didn't speak immediately and the tension between us seemed to pull tighter with each passing second.

"You wouldn't be put out?" Eren asked, his eyes searching mine for any hint of hesitation or deceit.

I furrowed my brow, shaking my head. "Nah, man," I said, keeping my voice even and casual, despite the turmoil churning inside me.

His face split into a grin, and he clapped me on the shoulder. "Then, yeah, I think that's a great idea," he said, his tone lighter now, almost relieved. "The less I have to do, the better for me."

"Great," I said, trying to match his enthusiasm, even as my stomach twisted.

Eren grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "All right, well, I'm taking off," he said, heading towards the door. He paused, turning back to me with a questioning look. "When did you want to, you know, finish up with everything?"

I hesitated, the weight of his expectation hanging heavy in the air between us. I knew what he wanted, what he was asking me to do. But the thought of rushing Addison, of pushing her before she was ready, made my skin crawl.

"Why don't you talk to Addison about this?" I suggested, trying to keep my tone light, despite the tension coiling in my muscles. "Once she's comfortable and ready, we can finish."

His face clouded with impatience, and he let out a grunt of frustration. "Fine, man, but hurry up. I don't think I can wait any longer."

I nodded, but didn't say anything. I watched as Eren left the locker room; the door swinging shut behind him with a heavy thud. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the pounding of my own heart in my ears.

I sat down heavily on the bench, my head in my hands. I wanted Addison, wanted her more than I had ever wanted anything in my life. But not like this..

I wanted her to come to me on her own, to choose me because she wanted me, not because she felt obligated or pressured. But I knew that wasn't going to happen, not with Eren in the picture. He was the one she wanted, the one she had chosen. And I was just the means to an end, the tool he was using to get what he wanted.

The anger that had been simmering inside me since he first brought up this ridiculous plan boiled over, and I slammed my fist against the locker, the metal clanging loudly in the empty room. I welcomed the pain that shot through my hand, the sting of my split knuckles. It was a welcome distraction from the turmoil raging inside me.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I had to keep it together, had to play the role Eren had assigned me. Because as much as I hated it, as much as it made my skin crawl, I knew it was the only way I was going to get close to Addison. And once I had her, once she was mine, I was never going to let her go.

I pulled out my burner phone, my fingers tracing the worn edges before I dialed Addison's number. The anticipation was a living thing inside me, a coiled spring ready to snap. I pressed the phone to my ear, listening as it rang and rang, each unanswered ring sending a jolt of adrenaline through my veins.

Finally, she picked up. The sound of her breathing was like a balm to my frayed nerves, a soothing melody that calmed the storm raging inside me. I could hear the catch in her voice, the slight tremor that betrayed her uncertainty. It was intoxicating, a siren's call that beckoned me closer.

It made my dick stiffen.

The things I could do to her that would affect her breathing.

"Hello?" she asked. "Not this again… Hello?"

I didn't say anything. I didn't need to. Just hearing her voice was enough, a tantalizing taste of what was to come. I held the phone to my ear, savoring the sound of her breath, the soft sigh that escaped her lips. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss, a stolen glimpse into a future that was almost within my grasp.

I hung up, the sudden silence ringing in my ears. I closed my eyes, letting the sound of her voice echo in my mind.

Soon , I told myself. Soon, she'd be mine . The thought was a beacon of hope, a promise that kept the darkness at bay. I clung to it like a lifeline, letting it guide me through the treacherous waters of my past.

I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I could do this. I could be the man she needed, the man who would protect her from the world and all its dangers. I could be her shelter in the storm, her rock in the turbulent sea. I just had to be patient, to bide my time and wait for the perfect moment to make my move.

And when that moment came, I would be ready. I would be strong, unyielding, unbreakable. I would be the man I was always meant to be, the man who could finally put the ghosts of his past to rest. I would be the man who could finally be worthy of Addison's love.

I opened my eyes, the determination burning bright in my chest. I would do whatever it took, whatever was necessary to make her mine. I would protect her, cherish her, love her with every fiber of my being. I would be the man she deserved, the man who could finally give her the happiness she so desperately craved.

Eren…

Eren was irrelevant.

I slipped the burner phone back into my pocket, the weight of it a constant reminder of the promise I had made. I would keep her safe, no matter the cost. I would be her guardian, her protector, her savior. I would be the man who would finally make her whole.

And when the time was right, I would take everything from her.