Some things never changed… especially his inability to accept responsibility or take a hint. She rubbed her palms against her burning eyes. “Get out.”
“Just listen. Last night I was given a match penalty, game misconduct, and a four-game suspension.”
“For doing what?” She forced herself to focus on him despite the sudden return of her headache.
He glanced down, avoiding her gaze. “High-sticked Daniel Cooke and injured him,” he muttered. “I took out my frustration about you and Knox on a guy I can’t stand. I couldn’t concentrate on the game. But I can fix things. I just need you back. Then everything will get better. For both of us. I swear.”
Her mouth opened wide as shock reverberated through her. “No, no, and no!” she said.
“In case you didn’t understand her, that was a hell no! Not happening.” Knox strode up beside her and looped an arm around her shoulders.
He was still warm from the shower, his hair was damp, he smelled good… and his chest was bare. He had one towel wrapped around his waist and another one hung over his shoulder.
She glanced at Theo and saw a vein pulsing in his temple. And his jaw was clenched tight. “What the fuck? You’re here?”
Knox read the room and pulled her closer to him.
Which meant things were about to explode.
***
When Knox steppedout of the shower and opened the door to clear the mirror, he heard voices. Wrapping the towel tighter around his waist, he edged closer to the doorway to find out who was visiting. When he heard Theo’s voice, he just reacted, coming to Jade’s rescue, with or without clothes.
“What the fuck? You’re here?”
Knox stared at his stepbrother. The guy looked like shit. Then again, it wasn’t a surprise after what had gone down on the ice last night.
Feeling protective, Knox drew Jade closer.
“Let’s back up. Did you just say it’s our fault you high-sticked Daniel Cooke into the boards and now have to sit out a four-game suspension during the playoffs?”
“You always have to fuck up my life. Why Jade?” he asked like a sulky child.
“Why Celia?” Knox replied. They’d never had a conversation about what had gone down between them. Not since Theo’s betrayal. If this was going to be it, Knox might as well say what was on his mind. “You were engaged to Jade. You’d recently been traded to New York. You had everything going for you. So what did you do? You slept with my wife, asshole. So maybe you should ask yourself, who fucked up whose life?”
Jade stiffened and pulled herself away. “This sounds like something you two need to figure out.”
Shit. He thought back to what he’d said and realized she might have misinterpreted his reaction. She headed toward the bedroom when Theo reached out and grabbed her arm.
She attempted to jerk free but Theo held tight.
“Let her go,” Knox said, barely maintaining control.
“I just want to talk—”
Knox cut Theo off with a fist to his jaw, sending him stumbling. “You don’t grab a woman. Especially not one who doesn’t want anything to do with you.”
Knox braced for a return blow but it never came.
Jade stared, not at Knox with any kind of horror but at Theo, a scowl on her face. “Theo, go home. Take some time and figure out your life. But leave me out of it.”
She spun around and walked back to the bedroom, apparently leaving Knox to take out the trash. In the end, Theo left of his own accord, the look on his face promising retribution.
After locking up, Knox fixed his towel and returned to the bedroom. Jade was pacing.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“What the fuck was that?” she asked, sounding pissed.