Page 48 of Defend Her Heart

He looks to Niko and then back to me, not sure how to handle the happiness radiating off me. I’m usually the quiet, broody one before games. Being the enforcer on the ice requires a bit of seriousness and assholery. I still plan on roughing up the other team tonight, but I’m going to enjoy this moment for a few more seconds.

Just as I’m about to hit the ice, I hear Hunter one more time.

“Not gonna lie, Cap. Connor is really freaking me out right now.”

I don’t wait around to hear Niko’s response. My skates hit the ice and I do my best to put the text, and Avery, out of my head.

We win the game 4–1 and I’m feeling like a million bucks. The younger guys are all going out to the bar, but I decline Jefferson’s offer when he asks me to join.

“Come on, Connor! You don’t have to go home just because Cap Daddy doesn’t come out anymore. He has a pretty lady waiting for him. What’s your excuse?”

Visions of Avery’s green eyes and short black hair flash through my eyes. I know this marriage is a sham, but even just the idea of coming home to her is enough to keep me away from the bar.

“Sorry, man. You know I don’t really drink during the season. You’re not even old enough to be at the bar anyway. Maybe you all should go home. You heard what Coach said. None of you should be drinking.”

Jefferson looks to the group of guys behind him and thenback to me. “You know I just drink water. And I promise I’ll only let them have one.”

Kyle Jefferson is a great player who’s barely nineteen. He’s the future of this team and has a good head on his shoulders. I remember what it was like to be called up so young, feeling like the world is your oyster. I can’t really blame these guys for wanting to go out after a win.

“You guys have fun. Don’t be stupid.” I level them with my meanest look and they all straighten up. Jefferson salutes me and they all head toward the door.

Grabbing my stuff from my stall, I tap my phone and see a bunch of notifications littering the screen. There’s a text from Luke and one from my sister Charlie, both congratulating me on my goal and the win. There’s a slew of messages from my social media app from random women I’ve never met and don’t plan on responding to. I’m searching for one person in particular and am disappointed when I don’t see her name. I know she texted me before the game but I was hoping to get a congratulatory text from her, too.

She said yes to a fake marriage. She is not actually interested in you. Not anymore.

The mental berating I give myself isn’t enough to stop me. So I pull up our text thread and type out a message.

I’m glad you said yes. You deserve some answers. Breakfast tomorrow to go over the details?

I watch the three dots pop up on the screen, tapping my foot anxiously on the floor as I wait for her response. A few guys say goodbye to me, but I don’t even spare them a glance. My eyes are glued to my phone screen. It’s not like I’m asking her out on a date. We need to figure out the logistics of our arrangement. At least when we’re going to do this so she can schedule those tests. Finally, her message comes through.

Avery

Sure.

A pang of disappointment hits me in the chest. Her short response put an end to the conversation when I was hoping to chat with her a bit longer.

Avery

Thanks for doing this for me, Connor.

And just like that, all the disappointment and frustration washes away. A smile splits across my face for the second time tonight. I text Avery back with details of where and when to meet me in the morning, and finally put my phone away.

When I look up, I see Niko staring at me.

“You’re so fucked, dude.”

My car putters to a stop as I pull into a parking space at Floppy’s Pancake House. I’m meeting Connor here to discuss the details of our fake marriage. I can’t believe I’m actually about to go through with this. But what other choice do I have? I don’t have the cash to pay for these tests out of pocket, and I don’t feel safe waiting any longer.

I know, even now sitting outside this restaurant, that what I’m about to do doesn’t make any sense. I’ve gone back and forth a thousand times. I know I’m acting on impulse rather than logic, but what’s the alternative?

It’s crazy. I know it is.

Why the fuck am I saying yes to marriage when taking the money would be easier? I don’t know how to explain it, other than I feel like this option would give me an out faster. Who knows how long it would take me to pay Connor back? I could be tied to him for years. This way, we get married, I use his insurance, and once all the tests are done we can split amicably and annul the marriage. Getting married is the cleaner choice and I wouldn’t owe him anything when all the testing is complete.

My nerves are fried and my heart is threatening to poundright through my chest. I glance down at my smart watch to check my heart rate and see that it’s at 117 bpm. It’s high but not high enough for me to be overly concerned. On my worst days, my heart rate will reach nearly 170 bpm after something as simple as a shower.

I’m a few minutes early, so instead of walking inside, I try to calm myself down before exiting my car. I take some deep breaths and in between, I sip on my drink. The last thing I need is to pass out in front of him again.