Page 9 of Rival Season
What I do know is that I don’t want him up here in my personal space; I just washed and cleaned everything to get rid of his Prada cologne scent.
Slipping out of bed, I pad to the closet and pull on my fluffy white robe and matching slippers. I know Chadwick well enough to know he won’t give up—he’s used to getting what he wants—so I’ll just go outside to speak to him; then I can retreat to the apartment once he’s done feeding me his lies.
I’m thankful not to see anyone as I ride the quiet elevator down to the main entrance. Chadwick is leaning against the building when I slip out the front door. I’m surprised to find that he’s on crutches. That’s odd…the empathetic part of me wants to ask what happened and if he’s okay, but I ignore my natural inclination to care about the man I spent the last year dating. The charming boy I once shared family vacations with, and thehockey player who swept me off my feet. He was so caring, so sweet to me…and I was so blind.
Instead, I cross my arms over my chest and tap my slippered foot impatiently.
“Okay, this is your chance to talk. After this, don’t bother me again.”
Chadwick shrugs off the wall and clomps toward me, clearly unused to the crutches. He has the audacity to smile as he reaches out with one hand to pull me into his arms. I immediately step back, and he nearly topples over.
“No. Don’t touch me.”
Chadwick stays close, his sneakers nearly touching my slippers as he towers over me. I used to love how tall he was, how his large frame made me feel safe and protected. Now it just feels annoying, and he’s blocking the light from the streetlight.
“Babe, don’t be dramatic,” he says. “Let’s talk inside. I’m exhausted, and I strained my hamstring during the game.”
I shake my head, refusing to back down. I don’t care if his leg fell off. “Nope. We’re staying right here.”
He groans. “I’m sorry, okay?” His tone sounds annoyed, like apologizing for cheating on me is an inconvenience tohim. “But it was just a one-time thing.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Oh, really? So you only cheated on me that one time?”
Chadwick brings a hand up to scratch the back of his head. “I’m an athlete. We have a lot of pent-up sexual desire, okay? Especially after a game. I need an outlet to let it out, you know?”
I roll my eyes. This man is unbelievable. “And you expect me to sit by and be okay with my boyfriend going home with other women?”
He shrugs. “Most girls would turn a blind eye for the chance to be with me.”
“You’re not really even sorry, are you?” My whole body sags in defeat.
Chadwick laughs like this is ridiculous. “There were no feelings involved. Nothing to worry about. You’d be an idiot for breaking up with me over this.”
“I thought you loved me,” I say, my voice is barely a whisper, and I realize I’m showing him how hurt and vulnerable I feel. “A man who’s in love would never cheat.”
Chadwick laughs an ugly, humorless laugh. “And here I was thinking you weresmart,” he drawls.
My jaw drops. I have no words, no snappy retort. I’m simply shocked.
The sound of someone with a deep voice clearing his throat startles me, just as a large man walks up beside me. I blink when I notice it’s Penn—the jerk in 3B. As if this night couldn’t get any worse. The realization that he probably heard what Chadwick just said has heat rushing to my cheeks and goosebumps prickling my skin. Then I look down and remember I’m wearing a fluffy robe and slippers.
“Bubbles, there you are,” Penn says, and I startle as he slides his arm around my shoulders. He pulls me close against his side, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere, gorgeous.”
I stare up at the tattooed man, wondering what on earth he’s doing. Is he messing with me? I should pull away from him and rush back to my apartment where I can pour myself a massive glass of wine and go to sleep.
But then Penn gives me a soft glance, like he’s silently communicating something. I don’t know him well enough to read the look, but I think he might be trying tohelpme. I have no idea why, but as much as I dislike the guy, having someone potentially come to my defense right now is kind of nice. So, I lean a little closer.
He turns and grins at Chadwick. “Bubbles always has me chasing her. She loves playing hard to get.”
Chadwick looks positively venomous. “What the hell are you doing here, Matthews? Don’t you have some moldy basement to be in right now?”
Wait…do they know each other? Or maybe all hockey players know each other’s names.
“I live here, actually. Right upstairs from Hazel,” Penn answers with a grin.
Chadwick’s face goes purple with rage at this news—which is a little odd—but before he can reply Penn holds up a greasy brown takeout bag that’s clutched in his free hand. “Anyways, we gotta bounce. Got a celebratory dinner to eat, don’t we Bubbles? Nice of you to stop by and say goodnight to us, Chadwick.”
At this point, it’s obvious that they definitely know each other. And clearly, they do not like each other one bit…because my ex-boyfriend is staring at Penn with his nostrils flared. I get the impression the two would be rolling on the sidewalk in a tussle if Chadwick wasn’t on crutches.
