Page 48 of Playing Dirty
The grim-faced sports commentator on the TV is droning on about Cillian's indefinite suspension, pending this morning's disciplinary hearing, and the league's official statement ofdisappointment. That alone would be bad enough, but the whole thing has gone viral overnight.
Opinions are pouring in from every corner of the internet, ranging fromwhat a man, saving that woman(humiliating) tounprofessional thug threw away his team's season and he can burn in hell(a touch harsh) tothey should be auctioning him off to ME next, not that Margot Prescott bitch(actively concerning).
Isabelle stares at the TV looking more impressed than concerned. "Margot, you're basicallyfamous. You are all over the freaking news."
I sink even lower into the cushions as Celeste settles a supportive arm around my shoulders.
"I just can't believe any of this is actually happening," I whisper, watching the broadcast in a state of absolute horror.
Isabelle snorts. "And I still can't believe you actually slept with him last night. Talk about a grand finale to the evening."
"It's my fault." Sabrina throws up her hands dramatically. "My styling skills were too effective on that fake date. I obviously made you look so irresistible the poor man just went absolutely berserk over you."
A hysterical laugh bubbles up in my throat despite the crushing weight of the situation, and I rub my face with both hands, trying to scrub away the memory of the cinderblock wall.
"Ugh, I just feel so sick with guilt," I groan into my palms. "His entire career is sitting in the wreckage because he played knight in shining armor for me."
"It’s not your fault." Celeste gives me a sympathetic squeeze. “And we’ll know soon enough since the hearing is happening right now. Honestly, those videos of what happened might save him. The league can't pretend they didn't see what that guy did to you first."
I nod, clinging to that sliver of hope while Celeste rubs my shoulder. Since the rest of us possess a level of sports knowledgethat could fit on a postage stamp, Celeste has become our designated hockey oracle.
Isabelle nods encouragingly. "Okay, well, that’s actually good news then!"
“I mean, it's complicated." Celeste winces a little. "In the hockey world, this is basically the ultimate sin. Abandoning your team mid-playoff game to brawl in the stands? It's unheard of. The league could bench him for the entire postseason. And even if they go easy, the road back is tough. If they lose the Cup after this, he's finished."
I let out a low groan, sinking further into my blanket. "Oh my god."
Sabrina pats my shoulder in a rhythmic, soothing motion.
"Sorry," Celeste says, looking regretful. "I wasn't sure how honest to be."
"No, it's fine." I peek out from between my fingers. “I'd rather know the stakes."
The broadcast cuts to a red BREAKING banner and all four of us freeze.
"Following this morning's disciplinary hearing, the league has set Cillian O'Rourke's suspension at three games, citing extraordinary mitigating circumstances surrounding the incident."
"Three games." Celeste looks stunned. "That isshockinglylight. Those videos did exactly what they needed to do. The league clearly wants this story dead. The fact that the ushers didn’t get to you in time looks really bad for them, so I think that weirdly must have helped Cillian’s case."
I sag back into the cushions, weak with relief. Three games is a disaster. Three games is also not the end of his career, and an hour ago that was very much on the table.
"Thank god," I murmur, rubbing at my temples. "I mean, the situation is still a total mess, but at least he isn't completely finished. I just... I don't know why I don't feel more settled. I'm still so..."
"Reliving every second of the sex?" Isabelle smirks like she's been counting down the minutes until we reached this part of the debrief.
The world-shaking, reality-altering sex. In the past, reaching a climax the first time I slept with a man was a struggle, and coming from penetrationalonewas something I'd written off as a myth years ago, right up there with the Loch Ness monster.
But he effortlessly gave me two orgasms so intense it felt like my soul was leaving my body. I'm terrified it's completely clouding my judgment, because a very large part of me wants to ignore the mounting disaster and just hop right back into bed with him.
Of all things, the words of Brittany, the girl I sat next to at my first hockey game, come floating back into my head.Worth the ride.God help me, she wasn't wrong.
Celeste gives me a smug look over her coffee. "Like I said. Never underestimate a man strong enough to pick you up and fuck you senseless."
"Yes, well, you were right,” I say. "I have never, ever, in my life had sex like that. I mean, he was sointenseand just took control, but somehow really attentive and tender at the same time."
Isabelle bounces in her seat with delight while Sabrina dramatically clamps her hands over her ears.
"I’m happy for you, Margot," Sabrina says, her voice reaching that high, panicked pitch. "I just don’treallywant to hear the gory details of my sister getting railed. But know that I am in full support!"
