Chapter 3

Johnny's is packed. The tiny sports bar is usually pretty busy, but tonight it feels like it's unusually full. The music is bumping for a Thursday, and although it's still early, it seems most people are already hammered off their asses. Stone, Rice, and I snag chairs at a table away from the crowds of people while Stanley and Bishop roam the room and chat up some puck bunnies.

Of course, Liv wastes no time plopping her ass on my lap the moment I sit down. Heaven forbid she leaves any other girl the opportunity to approach me.

"Well, well, I was wondering when you boys would make your way in," Johnny chuckles as he wipes his hands on a white towel. I'm assuming you heard about our out-of-town visitors, then, eh?" His salt and pepper beard is pulled into its usual thin braid down his chin, and as a former Makos himself, he's repping with his old vintage team t-shirt.

"More like unwanted visitors," Stone chimes in, visibly annoyed.

"It"s just beer tonight, Johnny. Clearly, some of the guys are pretty rowdy. Let's not add liquor to that," I laugh, elbowing Stone playfully. His eyes are fixated on the back of the small bar, no doubt where Ace and the BU Knights are posted up.

"And you, sweetheart?" he asks Olivia.

"Just a water for me, please, John. I have places to be tonight," she adds dismissively.

This is one of the many things I hate about Liv and everything her lifestyle represents: looking down on those who aren't "upto their level" as they say. My parents are the same way. They treat anyone who isn't from money or a good family like the dirt on their shoes.

"Sounds like a plan. The missus wants me home at a decent hour tonight, so I'd rather not have to stay late cleaning up after another one of your brawls," Johnny adds as he grabs us some beers from the fridge behind him.

"Look at them, just chumming the water. Calling us to dinner like we won't come to play," Stone spits as Johnny hands him his beer.

"That's what you think?" Rice laughs, bringing his beer to his lips. "They knew what would happen by coming here. Ain't that right, Duke."

"What does it matter why they came?" Liv asks as she applies another layer of gloss to her lips.

"What the fuck does that mean?" Stone snaps, turning his eyes on Liv. She scoffs, tucking her gloss back into her purse and fixing her thick blonde hair before lifting her eyes to his.

"It means they knew what they were doing by coming here—to Makos territory. They're trying to get a rise out of all of you. There"s no doubt in my mind that this was Ace's master plan and his way of getting a rise out of Duke. But we're not going to—"

Rice bursts out laughing. "Liv, shut up and let the boys talk. You don't know shit, so stop acting like you do," he adds, cutting her off.

He's not a fan of her. Never has been, and truthfully, most of the guys aren't. They just kiss ass when the coach is around. Usually, they're respectful enough, seeing as they all think she's my girlfriend, but even I don't stop them from telling her off. Why would I?

He continues, "Ain't no way they're coming in here and walking out without getting at least a warning, right, Duke?"

Slowly, I cock my head to the side, taking my first peek at the back of the bar. Ace and his goons are posted up in the bar that usually is filled with Makos. His eyes are already fixated on mine, with a cocky grin plastered on his face. Shit head. The moment I see him, I have the uncontrollable urge to slam my fist into his stupid face. He's leaning back in my usual spot, his arms resting across the back of the chair beside him.

The bar is filled with his teammates and the occasional desperate puck bunny. But one of them stands out—a petite blonde sitting directly beside him as she chats with her two friends on the other side of her.

I lift my beer to my lips, taking a sip while I keep my focus on her. Behind me, I can hear Stone and Rice continuing to bitch about the Knights. I can't tell if Stone is more worried about the loss of easy pussy or the fact that I haven't acted on them being here yet. The blonde turns and whispers something in Ace's ear before turning back to her friends. She's cute. Her long, ashy hair hangs around her face, and her makeup is light. Simple. I like that she's not trying to hide her natural beauty behind pounds of makeup like most girls.

Fuck.What is a gem like her doing with a douche like Ace?

"Can we go now? I mean, clearly, this was a waste of time. There's no point in making a scene, and I have shit to do," Liv whispers against my ear.

"Go, then. No one is stopping you. I didn't even want you to come, remember?" I laugh, bringing the beer to my lips again. The bitter liquid glides down my throat until it's gone, and I slam the bottle on the bar. "Johnny, I'll take another."

"Another for me, too," Stone adds.

Nodding, Johnny opens the fridge door and pulls down the amber bottles. "Coming right up."

Though the blonde across the bar has my attention, I can feel Olivia's eyes burning their way into my skull. She might not be my girlfriend, but she is still one hell of a jealous cunt. The blonde and her friends are laughing while looking around the bar. I watch, unable to tear my eyes from her as they scope out the guys, chatting amongst themselves about their options. One in particular seems to have caught the blonde's eye and I watch as she eye fucks him from across the bar.

What the fuck.

My eyes snap to the guy who has caught her attention, and my blood boils. He's a regular here, but other than that, a nobody. Turning my eyes back to her, my anger only grows when I find her flirting with him. The blue top she wore tonight shows off just the right amount of cleavage from her perky little tits and she knows how to use it.

As if sensing me watching, her eyes move from him to me. Instantly, my pulse increases.

Goddamn.

They're not the typical blue you see in someone's eyes. No. Hers are dark and deep, like the ocean. Stunning.

Add the light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks, and she is easily the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. The corner of my mouth turns up in a slight smile as I watch. But who the fuck is she? Johnny places my beer on the table next to me, but when I try to grab it, Liv snatches it up. Annoyed with her bullshit, I tear my eyes from the blonde and grab it from her hands.

"You know, it"s rude to gawk at other girls when your girlfriend is present," she snaps, clearly annoyed that she's lost my attention. "Besides, there"s nothing special about her. I mean, just look at her," she laughs. "She probably picked up that tacky little number from the local Target on her way over here."

"Weren't you leaving?" I retort as I shove her off my lap and turn myself toward the bar. I'm not stupid. She's in a rush to get out of here to go meet up with whatever poor dude she's messing with this week. She'll never admit it, but I'm not the naive guy I once was.

"Oop, seems there's trouble in paradise, Rice," Stone laughs.

"Oh no, whatever shall we do?" Rice is sarcastic, placing his hand over his heart as though he's been injured.

"Fine," she adds, snatching her purse off the bar. "But just so you know, your attitude tonight fucking sucks." Liv flips her hair and slides her Versace coat over her shoulders before heading out.

Fucking finally.

"I don't know why you put up with her shit when there are so many other chicks desperate for a piece of you," Rice smirks, lifting his beer to his lips as he swipes on his cell.

"She probably gives epic head. She has to," Stone adds, stretching his arms over his head. "Don't get me wrong, Duke. I love a good blowy as much as any guy, but if it meant I had to deal with her? Fucking no thanks."

I laugh, lifting my bottle to my lips again while my eyes make their way back to the blonde that has me puzzled. I've never seen her around, that much I am sure of. I'd remember her. The fact that she"s sticking with her friends and not hanging off one of the many hockey players here tonight tells me she's not a puck bunny.

So who the fuck is she, and why is a girl as hot as her with the fucking Knights?

"Ah! She's a hot little thing, ain't she? Waste. It's a shame, really. If she weren't the fucking enemy, I'd fuck her so goddamn good," Stone comments, nodding his head in the direction of the blonde.

Enemy?

"Fuck off, Stone," Rice bursts out laughing. "Aspen fucking Anderson would never give you the time of day, even if she wasn't of Knight blood."

"Anderson?" No way this chick is related to fucking Ace, there's just no way.

"Yep, that right there is Ace Anderson's baby sister. The prettiest piece of off-limits ass on campus," Stone replies, running his tongue across his lips as he watches her.

Risking a glance, I find her laughing at the bar with her friends as she tosses back another drink.

Fuck.

"On campus? She goes to NYU?" I question.

"Yep," he adds. "She's a junior, just started this semester, and no doubt visiting her is what Ace is using as an excuse to hang out in Makos territory. If he thinks we're going to welcome Knights in our waters with open arms just because his sister goes here, he's in for a shock. I'll fuck that bitch right in front of him to prove a point."

"The fuck you will!" I snap unintentionally. Shocked, Rice looks at me confused.

"Oh shit. Our boy has it bad," Stone laughs, slamming his hand down on my shoulder. "Listen, Cap, I have all the respect in the world for you. You know that. You're my homie. But Knight pussy is off-limits, even to you," he adds. "Besides, I don"t think Liv would approve. That bitch is a psycho."

I don't give a fuck what Liv thinks, but they don't know that, and they can't. It's in everyone's best interest if they all think that Liv and I are an item. Ignoring his comment, I bring the bottle to my lips and guzzle down the last of my beer while I watch her.

She's so focused. Completely unaware and unbothered by the chaos around her, and fuck, she is beautiful. Knight or not, I know this can't be the last time I see her.

"Okay, but serious talk, can you imagine Ace's expression if one of us boned his baby sis?" Stone howls.

"None of us are going to fucking touch her, Stone. Drop it," I spit. For whatever reason, the thought of any of them talking to her infuriates me. I don't want any of them or the team drama around her.

"Jeez, chill man, I was just joking around."

Placing the empty bottle down, I reach into my pocket and pull out a fifty, tossing it on the bar. "Another round, Johnny."

"Ah shit, Cap treating us tonight, huh," Rice smirks cockily. "What are you sucking up for?"

"Sucking up? More like trying to shut you both up so I can actually enjoy my beer before I dip out," I laugh as I run my hand through my hair.

"What? You're kidding, right? They're still here, bro! We're not gonna do shit?" Rice shouts, drawing attention from the people around us.

I know he's pissed, and I get it. It's taking everything in me to walk away. To not go over there and beat the fuck out of Ace and his fucking goons. But I won't. Not with her there. Why? I have no fucking idea, but something in me just knows she doesn't deserve that shit, and I don't want her to see me like that.

I don't want her to see that side of me. The dark side.

"Not tonight. Fuck it, let them think they won. We have other ways of reminding them how friendly Makos can be, and we don't need an audience to do it," I reply, hoping the threat alone will keep the guys happy enough.

"Facts. You're right, Cap. Let them think they won. Then, when we retaliate, they won"t see it coming," Stone chirps as he hops around from one foot to the other excitedly. He's feeling the buzz from the beers. "This is why you're the leader, man. Fucking smart," he adds, tapping his finger on the side of his head.

Smirking, I stand up, shaking my head at his bullshit.

"I gotta piss, watch my chair," I reply, before making my way toward the bathrooms.

As I pass the bar where Aspen and her friends are sitting, I notice a guy making his way toward them, and I immediately don't fucking like it.

But I can't show it.