20. Feeling Pressure

Feeling Pressure

Jax

A ngel's big night is tomorrow night and she's gone quiet. I know she's nervous, it's written all over her face. And her silence is a dead giveaway.

I can't stop thinking about the other night, when we went out, just the two of us. I want a lot more of those nights with her, but it's going to be a few more nights before we can go out again.

After her show tomorrow night, I have a game the next night. First pro game, I guess I can say, Macie's not the only one who is a little nervous. I'm not scared to admit that; I'm playing with the big boys now, there is no room for fuck ups. I do feel like Sully, Koda, and I have fit into the team well, not to brag, but it's made a hell of a difference too.

Finishing practice, an all-day practice today, the guys and I are about to head home when my phone vibrates in my locker above my head. I reach up and grab it, seeing a text from Macie.

I made you guys dinner, I'll be practicing. See you soon.

I smile with my head shake, typing back.

You know you don't need to keep making us food every day, we are grown men Angel.

I mean I'm not complaining, my girl can fucking cook, but I don't want her to think she has to cook for all of us; Sully and Koda can figure their own shit out .

The little dots come across the screen; wasn't really expecting her to answer.

I know, but I like doing it. Though we do need to hit up the grocery store soon, you guys eat too fucking much.

I laugh out loud; this fucking girl.

Tonight?

Sure, late night grocery shopping is always fun. We'll make Koda and Sully go with us. They can participate since they eat it all.

That makes me smile; that's my girl.

Agree, I'll tell them. See you soon Angel.

I chuckle with her little kiss emoji before I set my phone down, and finish untying my skates.

Looking up as I watch Koda waddle in; I always make fun of him for how he walks in skates with his goalie pads on. Long time joke.

I laugh and shake my head as I look back down at my skates. His glove hits me on the back of the head.

"Fuck You Jax!"

"Yeah, yeah, been telling me that for years." I laugh.

"Hey, we're going with Macie tonight, she said we need food.

Sully looks over, "We're what?"

"You want food, don't you?"

"That's fine, but it's on your dime tonight, since I'm paying a hefty credit card bill because of my sister."

We all laugh with that .

"Your idea to bring her home." He launches his goalie pad at me, and I catch it as I laugh.

We finish getting our skates and pads off, hitting the showers before we are headed home.

In a way, I'm glad Macie is taking a break and getting out of the house tonight. She has been practicing non-stop since our date the other night. Going between the stadium and practicing at the house, but today, she didn't go to the stadium. She stayed home, which in a way worried me, thinking she would want to be where she's performing, but not today.

When we get home and I get out of the car, I hear music playing loud inside. Knowing she's on her silks, I pay no attention to it.

"She's been practicing a lot." Sully states, hearing the concern in his voice, I get it. I am too.

"Yeah, tomorrow's a big night for her Sully."

"I know, but she's wearing herself out."

Koda joins our talk as we walk into the house, "She needs a break."

"That's why you fucks are going with us tonight, to give her a break."

We get into the living room where she is, not able to hear a damn thing now. Fuck how does she think. She twirls herself in her silks unable to help my cock jumping in my pants, loving every time I see her hanging from those damn ropes.

Watching her do a trick as her body rolls in a ball, tumbling in the air almost, but her legs are out into splits, her silks around them, and her body catches right before her face hits that ground and I snarl, "What the fuck Macie."

She pulls herself up and Sully turns the radio off, "What the fuck was that, Macie?"

"What? It's a trick I have to do." That sass fills her tone .

"Like fuck, Macie you're going to break your fucking neck." Sully snaps.

She rolls her eyes before she looks away, untangling herself from her silks before she gets down and walks over to us.

"I've done this trick before guys, it's not new to me."

"I don't give a fuck." I growl. I don't fucking like this one.

"Okay, first of all, back off, all three of you. And secondly, you didn't mind it when I was at the club doing this."

"I did mind, and I mind now." I growl.

She tilts her head staring into my eyes, begging me to back down with her eyes, but I don't like this. She shoots me a tight smile, knowing she's out of here, she's not going to fight me, "Dinners in the kitchen, I'm going to go shower."

And just like that she turns, and I don't know how those little legs get her across the room so quick, but they do before she's skipping two steps up the stairs.

Looking like an idiot I stare at the stairs, grinding my jaw, trying to make myself back down; Something in my gut is telling me no. I follow her.

"Jax." I throw my hand up at Koda, ignoring his beckoning to stand down.

Kod a

I know Jax is worried about her, I am too, but if he thinks he is going to stop my sister from doing this, he is about to see the side of Macie only my father could control.

I hope he backs down on his own and doesn't push this issue. I may involve Jax and Sully in pretty much everything, but I never told them about her dancing. And because I've had the tracker in her car, I have seen her dance on these silks for years now.

It's her time to shine. And I guess my time to stand up for her against Jax if needed. He doesn't know what she's capable of. I do and I know she can do this.

"You think they need a ref?" Sully asks

I shake my head, "Not yet. Let's see if he backs down on his own first."

"Can she do this Koda?"

I nod immediately, before I look over at Sully, "Yeah, she can. You guys have just seen the beginning of what she can do."

"I hope you're right, because the way that just looked, I'm kind of with Jax."

"She can do this Sully."

Jax

I run up the stairs, walking into our room as she rounds the corner to the bathroom.

"Macie." I bark in a growl.

"I'm not talking about it Jax, back off."

I step into the bathroom and watch her undress, fuck me.

"Jax I can do this, I know it looks scary but, I'm good." She stares into my eyes, and I want to fight her on this. I don't like what I just saw, it worries me. Okay, it fucking scares the shit out of me. But I have to let her do this, I can't stop her.

"Alright, I'll make you a deal."

She cocks her brow before those eyes roll and my dick hardens even more with her naked little ass in front of me.

"No more practice tonight, after we go to the store, you take the rest of the night off." I can't tell her what to do, I play fucking hockey, who am I to tell her what she can do with her dancing. I still don't like it though.

"Well, that's easy. I was going to anyways." She laughs as she turns, flipping her hair over her shoulder with her sass as she steps into the shower; Little hussy.

"Dinner's getting cold honey."

My growl rumbles in my chest, loving and hating when she is a teasing little brat.

I leave her alone, even though my dick is saying fucking otherwise.

Maci e

I know the guys are worried and it was unfortunate they walked in when they did, knowing that trick can look scary. It is, and they are right. If I fuck up I can fall, and I will land on my head and break my neck.

This is a trick I am also confident in. It was one of the first experienced tricks I learned, I've been doing it for years now. But, every trick I do is dangerous, any fall can break my neck or a limb if I land wrong and with some, you can be killed.

The last few days, I have been practicing hard, all day, throughout the night when my mind would race at night, causing me to not sleep. I also know, it's time to take the night off and let my body and mind prepare for tomorrow.

My make it or break it moment. The show that will either set me up to go places, start my career, or shut me and my dream down. I know the pressure I have on myself, and I know what this all means to me; I can't fuck up.

After finishing my shower, I throw on some leggings and a t-shirt, gathering the hem of the t-shirt at my side, pulling it tight, because well, it kind of swallows me; I tie it into a knot. Throwing my hair up, not wanting to deal with it.

I make my way downstairs, finding the guys surprisingly cleaning up the kitchen; Well, I'll be damned, I think my training is going well. They'll all make great house dads one day.

I giggle to myself as I continue to make my way to them .

"Thanks Mac." I give Koda a smile as I round the counter and ask "You guys ready to go shopping." I wiggle my brows playfully, hoping to have a good laugh with these three goobers tonight.

"This could be dangerous." Sully chuckles and I giggle, knowing he is right, it could be.

They finish up and I watch, pleased with myself.

After the guys finished cleaning up, we get out to the garage, before getting in Koda's car, Jax and I sit in the back, and I snuggle up beside him.

We've both been busy since our date night. He has his first game in two days, and my show is tomorrow night. His practices have been running all day, but it's given me the time I need to be alone and focus on my routine.

I lay the back of my head on Jax's lap, laying on my back across the seat as I look up to him, "Are you ready for your first pro game?"

He tilts his head before it nods, "Yeah, I'm ready."

"Are you ready for your big show?" He grins.

I nod, I am ready, but I am so, so, nervous. "Yeah, I'm nervous, but I'm ready."

The palm of his hand presses to my cheek as the pad of his thumb trails across my skin, "You know, it's a good thing to be nervous, Angel."

"I know, but this is a big deal Jax. "

"I know it is; What do you want me to do?"

I shake my head with my smile, "Nothing" I whisper as my hand curls around his wrist, holding the stare our eyes are locked in.

His fingers curl into the nape of my neck as he lifts my head from his lap, leaning down himself, bringing my lips to his.

He whispers, "Stop thinking about it, it's just another night at the club."

I smile against his lips; he does know what to say.

I press my lips to his and he deepens it. Not paying attention to Sully and Koda in the front, not really giving a shit either; We're all adults here.

Jax pulls back before he presses a kiss on my nose, then my forehead before he sits back up and my head lays on his lap again.

Arriving at the grocery store, as we walk in, Jax and Sully grab carts. Jax playfully holds his hand out, gesturing me to the cart, "Your chariot awaits."

"What?" I laugh.

He picks me up and puts me in the cart and I sit down, going with it; Fuck it, he can push me around, I don't mind.

"Too kind my Sir." I say to him playfully as I flip my hair over my shoulder, looking forward, before the four of us are in a fit of laughter.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea for all of us to do this.

It starts great, until we get into the canned goods isle, and the cans start flying.

"Mac, you like this soup don't you?" Koda tosses the soup can to me, I catch it, taking a look at it.

"Yup, this will work, my flavor." I throw the can to Sully and he puts it in the cart that is quickly filling with groceries .

Not understanding how they can eat so much fucking food, but I guess when they are all over 6 foot, 200 plus pounds of solid muscle, they need a lot; Whereas one bag of chips would last me a week, it lasts them 5 seconds.

Thinking of some items I need I climb out of the cart, getting bored sitting there anyway.

"I'll be back, you guys keep shopping since the three of you seem to enjoy this."

Jax lifts a brow in question, and I give him a playful smirk, "You don't need to be up my ass all the time."

His lips part as his brows go up, before that cocky smile plays, "I haven't begun to get all up in that ass."

I snort a laugh and shake my head as I walk away, giggling to myself, hearing him chuckle behind me; I really don't need them all standing here with me while I look at my lady necessities.

In doing so, I get what I need and start to look for the three of them. Looking down aisleways, and now I'm beginning to think it was a terrible idea to turn them lose in here. And of course, in most grocery stores they play music, and most of the time it's the lame shit, but of course not tonight.

"Fuck me; I just wanna dance with somebody."

How can you resist. My head bobs and I giggle to myself, unable to help it; I pick up the phone against the wall, hitting the intercom, giving it a try, "Whoever can control the music, Turn this SHIT UP!" I hang up, knowing the guys will most defiantly look for me now.

And I shit you not, the music gets turned up, and it's over from there; Yes, I do, I don't care. I dance. Jumping around, my hair falling from the messy bun I had it in, my feet scurrying across the floor in steps, feeling the beat, the vibe.

I know I may look like an idiot, but life is too fucking short!

Feeling a hand wrap around my wrist, I look up and see Sully as he twirls me around.

Of course, we both break into a fit of laughter. I don't even see Jax or Koda.

"You still remember?" he asks and I search his eyes as I smile; Holly and I had certain moves, steps to this song, and it looks like Sully knows them.

I nod, and we both start doing them; Holly would be eating this up with me. We always had such a good time, and just like me, she loved to dance and act like an idiot, not caring what anyone thinks.

Shocked as shit Sully remembers and knows these steps; What have I gotten myself into.

"I can't believe you remember this." I giggle.

"Of course I do" He takes my hand again and spins me around before we are down the aisleway in our steps, not giving a shit.

He grabs a long bread loaf and sings into it, and I almost piss myself laughing at him. Continuing our skipping steps with our grooves we find Jax and Koda and they both laugh at us. And now I've got all three of them in the middle of the aisleway dancing with me, laughing, having a great time, not giving a shit what we look like.

How inappropriate of us too.

The song comes to an end, and we all laugh. Realizing we have an audience, one asks, "Aren't you guys the new players on the Nighthawks team?"

I bite my smile; Oops. I snort, biting my laugh.

Jax clears his throat, putting his Captain face on, "Yeah, we are."

"You guys bring that energy, we might actually go to the playoffs this year." The man chuckles and my lips twist.

Sully chokes on his laugh, Koda looks down, hiding his face, or should I say his smile.

Jax swallows hard, trying to contain his laugh that is written all over his face, "You can count on it. "

The guy nods before he walks away and I turn around, the guys have been behind me this whole time.

They all chuckle while I giggle, "I think we've attracted enough attention."

"I think you're right." Jax laughs.

We finish by checking out, getting compliments on the way out and laughs from the store attendants. And of course, the googly eyes from the ladies, thinking it's quite funny actually; I'm not the jealous type, unless you touch. You touch you die bitch.

Finally getting in the car from our late night shenanigans, we head home. It was good time, I needed this, and I think the guys did too.

They have a big game for the three of them. Their first pro game. We all are under a bit of pressure here, and we've all stuck together, and not taken it out on each other. I think it's great that these guys can keep up with my energy, I mean Koda is used to my shit, Sully in a way too, Jax too, but not as much.

As the guys carry everything in, I start putting it all away in the designated places. Finishing it as I grab a beer from the fridge, the three bags of popcorn from the microwave, and join them all on the couch. I throw Sully a bag, Koda a bag, and sit next to Jax, handing him his bag.

"Where's yours?" Jax asks me.

"I don't want any." I tell him as I sit next to him and lay my head on his thigh, curling up on the couch beside him .

Of course, there wouldn't be anything on this TV other than a game of hockey. Which is fine, I enjoy watching the game with them, hearing their roars when there's bull shit calls or goals. But all my mind can think about is my performance tomorrow.

I should be on my silks, practicing, but I know I need to rest. I've been working hard; I need to rest.

My body might get it, but my mind isn't going to.