Page 78 of Ice King

“I do trust you, Roxanne, and your guess is right. I was stupid enough to get involved with a surgeon. I thought we were in love. At the time I was in medical school and for whatever reason, he gave a seminar to the class. One thing led to another and we had coffee, then a drink, and you know how it goes.”

“Wait a minute. You’re a doctor?”

“No. My mother became very ill and I had to drop out due to financial reasons and because my father needed help. I couldn’t swing the loans and my father couldn’t continue to afford to pay for school. I compromised and decided to become a physical therapist. That allowed me to stay in town and work while staying close to home.”

“Well, that’s terrible but now you’re a massage therapist. I’m confused.”

“Long story about how I had to change careers when moving here. Let’s just say the surgeon turned into a monster right before my eyes. And he doesn’t like to be told no and has the means to make good on threats.”

“Oh, my God, Georgia. I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s okay. I’m fine and able to resume some sense of a normal life thanks to your dad. I owe him for my job, a place to live, and safety. I feel safe for the first time in years. I also owe him my loyalty as I do with the entire team. Which is why what I did was excruciating.”

Her sigh was heavy. “You were that concerned about Ford. That’s obvious.”

“He thinks he’s unstoppable. He’s trying to prove something to everyone, including himself. I don’t know why, but he won’t accept that he’s partially if not mostly human.”

Seeing her cagey smile, I almost regretted telling her, although I had to admit doing so was a relief. “You really like him.”

“I don’t know. It’s weird. I feel connected to him in a way I can’t understand. I came from an abusive relationship where the asshole punched me if the towels weren’t lined perfectly. After that, I promised myself that I would never allow myself to become close to a man again. What have I done?”

Roxanne opened her mouth to respond when we both heard commotion outside in the hallway. I glanced in her direction and her face was a clear indication what we’d both heard was the same.

Ford.

“Just stay here,” she suggested.

“No. I’m not going to hide from him or anyone else any longer.”

I moved toward the door, throwing it open to find him storming down the hallway.

“What is going on?” Finn asked, trying to stop him from smashing the wall.

That’s when Ford noticed Roxanne and me standing in the hallway. In three long strides, he was in front of me with his finger in my face.

“You are…” His entire face was pinched, his jaw clenching to the point he was grinding his teeth. While he was full of fury, his eyes held disbelief and sadness.

As well as betrayal.

“What?” I threw out, all the heartache furrowing to the surface. “What am I? Let me guess. Just a massage therapist? Is that what you were going to say?”

“Don’t be an asshole, Ford,” Roxanne interjected.

He threw her a look while others gathered around.

“What is happening here?” the Dominator asked, Danny shaking his head as he moved closer.

In a surprise, Ford broke out into laughter. “She decided I couldn’t play tonight, telling the coach I have broken ribs.”

“And?” I challenged. “Did the coach bring in a doctor?” As he’d told me he planned on doing. Of course my question brought another wave of rage into Ford, an admittance that I’d had something to do with whatever had occurred.

“Doesn’t matter now. Does it? I’m not playing tonight. Instead, I’m headed to the hospital under direct orders or if we win the game, I won’t be allowed to play in the future. Why would you do this? Why?”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him why, but I couldn’t do it. Not just because he was so angry, but because doing so would betray myself. “You need to heal properly and you can’t do that if you’re on the ice.”

“So you say. I guess you went to medical school. Huh?”

When Roxanne started to lay into him, I squeezed her arm. “Don’t, Roxanne. He doesn’t care what anyone has to say including medical professionals because he’s a shifter. He can suffer through anything and poof, he’ll get better. You know what’s funny? I was so incensed by all the assholes out there who act as if they know everything they need to know about shifters when they don’t. Lo and behold, I’m finding out that shifters don’t know very much about their human side or they just don’t care.”