17. Emma

I wake up the next morning ensconced in Drake"s strong arms. The heat from his body feels amazing. I sigh and relax into him.

He does the same, tightening his grip on me. I feel him kiss the top of my head before his hands start to wander.

"Mmmm," I breathe as I wiggle my butt gently against him.

I feel his length poke my naked butt cheek.

That"s the best way to wake up.

His hand goes up to my hair as he turns my head toward him. He kisses my neck gently before the other hand goes to my breasts. His thumb runs over my taut nipple slowly, torturously as he kisses my neck.

I gasp as my butt wiggles into him. He tugs me over so that I'm lying on my back. His mouth goes to one breast while his hand massages the other. He kisses, nibbles and sucks before his mouth covers my nipple. His thumb rubs in the same motion his tongue is. It's the sweetest torture I've ever felt.

I'm going to explode.

"Drake, I need you in me. Please."

"Not yet," he sighs against my nipple.

He continues his onslaught before he removes his hand and moves it toward my clit.

My breath hitches as his fingers expertly graze my most sensitive spot, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Drake, I ..." I start to say, but words decline to form. He knows exactly what I need, what I want, what I desire.

His lips find mine in a heated kiss that leaves me breathless, and I return the passion with equal fervor.

Without breaking the connection, he slides one finger into me, eliciting a soft moan that only fuels the fire.

Slowly, he increases the pace, probing me deeper with each thrust. My body responds to his touch, arching towards him, seeking more.

He breaks our kiss and moves downward in between my legs.

"Drake, no, I"m not," I look down at the sheets embarrassedly. "I sweat when I sleep it might be gross."

He chuckles and shakes his head. "I don"t care. I need to taste you, that just adds more flavor." I cannot believe I said that to him. Or that he didn"t care.

He nibbles on the inside of my thigh and my hips instinctively buck toward him. His fingers dip inside to my G-spot, before his mouth finds my clit.

Yes, I need more of this.

Each lick feels like a burst of electricity, igniting an inferno within me, causing me to whimper in pleasure.

He must have read my mind because after only a few swipes, Drake increases the intensity. His lips wrap around my sensitive nub, sucking and licking in a rhythm that sends jolts of pure bliss coursing from my core.

As wave after wave of pleasure washes over me, I cling to him, desperate not to let go of this heavenly feeling. My breath hitches, my heart races, and my body trembles with unbridled passion.

The tightness in my chest releases, and a wave of pure ecstasy engulfs me. I feel like I"m floating, weightless, as my body convulses in a climax so intense it leaves me breathless.

He sits up, rolls me over and positions me so that my butt is in the air and my shoulders are on the bed. I feel his fingers in me again as he guides his thick shaft inside me, filling me fully.

His hands grip my hips, pulling me onto him, and I can"t help but moan with pleasure.

He starts to move, his hips rocking into me, setting a rhythm that has me arching my back, meeting his thrusts, and I know this is going to be glorious.

"You feel incredible."

"So do you, your pussy is so wet baby."

"You did that, you always do that."

"What else do I do?"

"You make me cum."

"Do I?" he teases as he slams his cock into me.

"How do I that?"

"By fucking me so hard that my soul leaves my body." He laughs, the sound reverberates through me and I shudder. I can feel the heat, that I"m soaking his cock as he thrusts into me rhythmically.

"Drake, harder," I beg, needing more of him, wanting to feel him deeper inside me. He obliges, increasing the pace, his thrusts becoming more forceful, our bodies slapping together with each powerful movement.

The intensity of the passion between us builds, and I know I"m close. I reach around and grab his thigh, wanting to feel his muscles ripple with each slam, wanting to be a part of this.

"Push back, baby. Ride my cock. Come on, take that cum from me." The words light a fire under me as I push back against him, grinding and thrusting to feel every single inch of him inside me. I cannot get enough of his cock. I don"t want this to end, but I want to feel the orgasm at the same time.

"Drake."

"Cum for me baby," he breathes in my ear.

I scream out his name just as he grunts and drives into me.

My body convulses around his, and I feel the waves of my own climax crash over me. I grab onto the sheets, my nails digging into the fabric as I feel the ecstasy wash over me. My body arches and my back bows as I scream out his name, feeling him pulsing inside me.

After it"s over, I collapse onto the bed, my body spent and exhausted from the pleasure. Drake pulls me into a gentle embrace, his arms wrapping around me.

We lie there for a while, basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking, our hearts still pounding from the intensity of our passion.

"We should probably get up," he says, gently stroking my hair.

"Can"t we just stay here forever? The real world sucks." He laughs and kisses my forehead before climbing out of the bed.

"We can"t hide from it."

"But I want to."

"Nothing gets solved that way," he shrugs as he starts getting dressed.

He pulls me into a kiss before I begin getting dressed myself.

"You're no fun," I pout.

He kisses me softly. "I'll see you later. I should get to the rink."

As soon as he's out the door I walk around my apartment aimlessly. Zane's words echo through my brain.

The weight of the recent events hangs heavy on my shoulders as I navigate the challenging landscape of personal connections and professional responsibilities. Everything feels threatened by the complexities and the chaos that surrounds me.

With Zane"s suspension, the accusations against Drake, and Kade"s involvement in the fight, I find myself retreating, seeking solace in the solitude of my apartment.

The decision to pull back from Drake comes with a mix of reluctance and self-preservation. As I sit in my living room, a sense of confusion and overwhelm settles within me.

I reach for my phone, contemplating the best way to communicate my need for space to Drake. It"s not about him, but the whirlwind of emotions and the unfolding drama that has infiltrated my life.

I feel myself falling for Drake and that alone is too much for me to handle right now. It's all too much for me to handle.

With a deep breath, I compose a message to Drake, trying to find the right words to convey my feelings.

Hey, I"m not feeling well today and I think I need some time to rest. I"ll catch up with you soon. Take care

Sending the message feels like a temporary reprieve, a way to create a buffer zone between the chaos and myself. As I put my phone down, a sense of relief washes over me, but it"s accompanied by a tinge of guilt. The decision to distance myself from Drake feels necessary for my own well-being, yet it leaves a lingering ache.

***

The following days unfold with a sense of isolation. I continue to tell Drake and Kade that I'm not feeling well. I cancel my coaching sessions because I don't want to go to the rink and face Zane.

Being away from Drake only makes me realize how much I love him. It also makes me realize that the best thing for him is for me to leave again. I can't be responsible for ruining his dreams with my chaos.

In the midst of my self-imposed solitude, Kade"s texts become a constant presence. He checks in on me regularly, expressing concern and offering support. While his gestures are thoughtful and appreciated, they add another layer of confusion to the mix. The camaraderie between us, once grounded in shared experiences and friendship, takes on a new dimension that I struggle to navigate.

How's my favorite girl feeling?

Like death

That's no bueno. Do you need anything? I was pre-med once in my life

Well, you're full of surprises aren't you?

Hey, I'm way more than a pretty face

I see that

Anything I can do for you?

No, I'm good. My aunt has been bringing me food or whatever else I need

That's good. I miss you. I wish I could see your pretty face

Thanks, Kade

I really like the attention from Kade. It's nice to hear someone tell you that you're pretty. My ego needs those things right now.

One day, Kade surprises me with a porch drop – food and flowers arranged in a thoughtful display. The gesture is kind, a testament to the genuine care he has for my well-being. I find myself torn between gratitude and a sense of overwhelm.

Kade, you shouldn't have gotten me flowers. You didn't have to do any of that. I'm grateful, but I'm engaged, remember

Oh yeah, that guy. My bad

I roll my eyes.

That guy?

Callie texts me.

How are you?

I'm good

We miss you at the rink. Lily was asking about you

Hopefully I'll be back to full strength soon. I miss her too

Drake probably won't tell you this because he's stressed out right now. I know he's been distant from you. The league is threatening to take the team out of Willow Creek because Loughlin is threatening to pull his backing if they don't get rid of Drake

Drake has enough money to keep the team himself

Yes, but the league says with everything going on he still needs a co-owner. It doesn't make sense. There's something fishy about all of it

Drake could lose the team? Willow Creek could lose the team?

Yeah

Tears roll down my cheeks as I stare down at my phone. What a mess I've made.

As I sit in my apartment, surrounded by the flowers and the aroma of the food, I can"t escape the feeling that I am full of drama and chaos. I'm leaving a path of destruction everywhere I go. Maybe it was my fault that my dad was an alcoholic, maybe I'm a walking curse.

Kade"s texts continue, a lifeline in the midst of my solitude. He expresses understanding of my need for space but remains a steady presence, offering words of encouragement and snippets of friendships. I appreciate the gestures, but a sense of confusion lingers beneath the surface.

I shouldn't be responding to him at all. How can you say you love someone when you're talking to another man more than you're talking to the man you love?

What am I doing?

One evening, as I gaze out of my window, the city lights flickering in the distance, the weight of my decisions becomes undeniable. The camaraderie I once embraced feels like a double-edged sword, bringing both comfort and chaos. The complexities of my relationships and the drama that surrounds me have taken a toll, and I find myself yearning for a fresh start.

The idea of leaving town begins to take root in my mind. A new beginning, away from the entanglements and complexities, feels like a beacon of relief. I start looking into job opportunities in different cities, contemplating a departure that could offer a clean slate.

The process of searching for a new path becomes a cathartic journey. Each job listing, each potential opportunity, represents a chance to break free from the chaos that has defined my recent days. The camaraderie I once sought with the hockey team now feels like a distant memory, replaced by the need for a fresh start and a sense of stability.

What are you doing? Running away again? Is that all you know how to do?

I inhale, exhale, and close my eyes. I focus on the breathwork my therapist taught me over the phone.

Feel my feet on the ground. Feel the breath in my lungs. I am here.

I continue breathing in and out slowly, meditating and clearing all the crazy lies that are filling my head. My trauma is loud and it's drowning out any logic I have.

I pull out my journal and start writing away, trying to make sense of everything that's happening around me. I get up, put on a pair of headphones and connect to YouTube to find binaural beats to listen to while I journal.

I need to get through these things. I also send my therapist a text to see if we can talk soon.

I'm tired of running.