Trouble : Boston Bolts Hockey

“Hey, Trouble,” I say into the phone, chest tight and overwhelmed with emotion. I’m so fucking pissed that I can’t be with her right now.

“Hi, Coach.” Though the nickname is sweet, she sounds distant, tired, upset.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Of course she’s upset, asshole. She was attacked last night.

I settle against the headboard in my hotel room, hating the feel of the rough fabric and wishing more than anything I was cozying up to Mel’s soft body. “I fucking miss you.” The ache in my chest turns into a sharp pang. I’ve never legitimately missed a person like this. This is fucking insane. What is this girl doing to me?

“Declan mentioned that you came by last night.” She clears her throat, and when she speaks again, she’s even quieter. “Thank you for that. Means a lot.”

I suck in a harsh breath. “If you think a world exists in which I wouldn’t have come to you after what happened, you’ve lost your mind.”

“We just met,” she murmurs. “I’d understand⁠—”

Teeth gritted, I let out a low growl. I don’t care how long we’ve known each other. My feelings make no sense, and I don’t have the first clue why she means so much to me, but my mother always said that when I met the right person, I’d know.

You’ll stop fucking around, Cade. You’ll just know.

I laughed every time she brought it up, because I’d already met that person. He just didn’t feel the same.

And now? I don’t know what the fuck to think. Is it possible to have that connection with two people? Because Mel has set my skin on fire. The pull I feel to her makes sitting here instead of hopping on a plane and heading home immediately almost unbearable.

“You understand nothing if you think I wouldn’t be there right now if I could be. Hell, I probably would have been a no-show for the game if Dec hadn’t practically kicked me out of the house.”

She laughs, the sound a little lighter than her mood so far. “He can be a bit abrasive, huh?”

By the teasing tone, I have a feeling he’s beside her. “He’s all right,” I admit.

“He certainly is.” Her tone is full of genuine affection.

My stomach twists in response, though I don’t think it’s jealousy. It’s an emotion I don’t think I’ve ever really experienced. If I had to name it, I guess I’d call it longing. The two of them are together while I’m here. More than anything, I want to be sitting in that room with them. Not just her, but them.

I’m not sure what that even means.

“I’m just happy he was there to protect you,” I admit.

“Yeah, it was lucky that he decided to come to the game after all.”

And that’s when it hits me. I’m not sure how I didn’t realize sooner. Maybe because I’d been so worried about Mel, but I never even questioned why Declan was there.

I asked him to come.

Invited him into my bed.

Is it possible he actually considered it? That he got into his car and drove to Boston with the intention of spending the night with Mel and me?

No. That’s ridiculous. He’s just a control freak, and he knew Mel was in danger. He didn’t want to let her out of his sight. And thank fuck for that.

Rather than dwelling on the confusing thoughts racing through me, I say, “So tell me about your day.”

Somehow these phone calls are going to have to get me through to Friday. I should be used to it. I’ve survived on nothing but bits and pieces of the person I care about most for the last twenty years.