16. Chapter 16

Istill smell like Ashlynn.

After having my way with her in her office, I came straight to my dorm and fell into bed. I can still taste her on my lips, and her juices still coat my dick. I should get into the shower, but I want to enjoy the feeling of her on me just a little bit longer.

Closing my eyes, I see her smooth, silky skin beneath me. Suddenly, my bedroom door is thrown open, and Topher is standing in the doorway.

"Dude, what the hell! I could have been jerking off," I yell, jumping up in bed.

"Give me a break. You aren't that talented," Topher argues.

"What is your problem?" I ask, moving off the bed.

Topher gives me a what-the-hell look, and I feel like I'm a teenager again getting yelled at for breaking the rules. "Is there something you want to tell me?" he asks, his eyes narrowing in on me.

I stare back at him, unsure of what he knows. I'm not about to tell on myself if he doesn't already know about what I've done.

"Logan, you and I have always been close. We don't keep secrets. I need to know what is going on between you and Coach Carl's daughter," Topher demands.

My heart stops, and a wave of nervousness hits me so hard that I stumble back. "What do you mean?" I ask, trying to play dumb.

Unfortunately, Topher isn't buying the act. "Logan, don't do that. You and I both know that you are a terrible liar. Start talking, or I'll call Tripp and Jace." His warning caused me to realize that I need to be honest with him. We don't hide anything from one another, but this isn't just my secret to keep.

Running a hand through my hair, I sigh and prepare myself to break Ashlynn's trust. "It wasn't supposed to happen," I began.

"Fuck! So, it's true?" Topher asks.

"Yeah. Look, can we go sit in the living room? I'm getting really claustrophobic right now." I push past Topher and walk into the living room. Tripp won't be home for a few more hours. He's on a date with Sadie, and Logan and Skye are staying at her place tonight.

I fall onto the couch while Topher walks over and sits in one of the recliners. He looks stressed, and I hate how my actions are constantly the cause.

"Alright, talk," Topher orders.

Anyone else talking to me like this would already be knocked the fuck out. But with Topher, he always gets a free pass. He's my brother and friend.

Releasing a heavy breath, I begin. "A few months ago, after getting arrested and the fight after the game, I went out for a drink. I just wanted to clear my head and forget about all my fuck-ups. Ashlynn showed up, just as miserable as I was, and we just connected. Neither one of us went looking for a hook-up, but we got drunk and ended up at her dorm. I had no idea who she was, and she didn't know I played for the Hawks. It was only supposed to be a one-night stand. I never expected to see her again. Then, she was in Coach Carl's office one day, and I learned she was his daughter." I pause for a moment. Topher is listening intently to me, and I can't read his expression right now. I continue, hoping that he is truly listening to me. "I tried to stay away from her, but I couldn't. There's something about her that draws me to her. Today, we hooked up again in her office, but I'm guessing you already know that."

A sly grin tugs at his lips. "Sawyer told me. We had a meeting, and she was a bit frazzled over hearing you two having sex in the office," he tells me.

A bit of shame rears up inside of me, but I tamp it down. "We agreed to keep seeing one another, but secretly. No one else will know," I persist.

Topher leans forward, his hands resting on his knees. "You are playing a very dangerous game right now," he warns.

"I know," I sigh.

"Is she worth it? The secrets? The hiding? The possible consequences if Coach Carl finds out?" he asks.

I know that Topher is trying to look out for me. Hell, that's all he has done his entire life. But, right now, I need to handle this on my own. "She's worth it. I appreciate your worry and always having my back, but this is something I need to do on my own."

Topher nods, and I see that he understands. "I hate to tell you, but if you don't stop fucking up, you may not have a choice for hockey to be your life. Tripp got his shit together when the media was making him out to be some egotistical playboy. But getting into bar fights, damaging property, and sleeping with the coach"s daughter– well, what you are doing is seriously wrong. You aren't just destroying your chances with hockey but the rest of your life, too. I don't need to lecture you anymore. If she's truly worth it, you will get your life together and be prepared to handle whatever happens next," he states.

"Look, I get it," I conceded, shifting uncomfortably under his scrutiny. "I haven"t always made the best choices. I"m here to make amends, and I"m not asking for blind trust—just a chance to prove I"m more than my mistakes."

"I've never given up on you or the guys. I need to know that all my work and advice isn't falling on deaf ears," Topher says, moving to stand.

I stand, too. I feel like shit knowing that Topher is upset with me, but there's nothing I can do right now. I won't stop seeing Ashlynn. That's not an option. As he goes to leave, we hug, and Topher leaves me with one last parting piece of advice.

"Make sure that you don"t lose sight of your future."

I get it. I've got my sights set on a bright future that hopefully includes Ashlynn.