Page 73 of Forbidden Forward

“There’s hope for him yet,” the first guy says, and they both chuckle.

“That’s … Wow!” Terra repeats. “I might have to change my tune about Chaser.”

Chaser. Colby would like the sound of that.

The cameras focus on the bench, where Donny brushes Colby’s shoulder. Was that a deliberate attempt at a shoulder clap or an accidental one? My imagination could be playing tricks on me.

We watch the replay four more times, from different angles, and I swell with pride. That’s my man out there being brave. Too bad I can’t announce to the world that he’s mine—assuming he is, of course. Nope, I keep my thoughts to myself while the ladies around me gush over their new hero.

Later we gather at Captain Cam’s house. It’s the first team get-together since Colby and I became a secret item and the first time he and I have laid eyes on each other in the last week. The Surge got in late the night before after their away games, so I’ve been in withdrawal. Being here now, seeing him and not being able to touch him, is pure torture. We exchange glances from opposite ends of the great room, but it’s about all we can do—especially with his linemates reliving the scrum and giving him attaboys.

The Surge ended up winning the game. Another victory two nights from now, and they officially leapfrog their rival for the second wild card spot. This is a big deal, though my thoughts focus on the hero of the hour.

The guys rib him mercilessly, but an undercurrent of respect runs through their joking. The twinkle in Colby’s quicksilver eyes tells me he’s loving the hell out of the good-natured teasing. For once, he looks like he belongs, and my heart does a happy dance for him. It’s taken nearly the entire season for him to get here, and every breakthrough has been hard-earned. Hopefully, his time with the Surge isn’t over in two weeks, when the regular season ends—or however long the team might go in the postseason.

As usual, the holdout in heaping any kind of praise on Colby is my brother. Donovan sits beside me and watches, nonplussed. Again. My annoyance flares, but I can’t call him on it without looking like I’m defending Colby—which is exactly what I want to do. If I were an out-in-the-open girlfriend, I wouldn’t hesitate. This sucks.

Nursing a beer, Donovan finally acknowledges Colby’s presence by glowering in his general direction. I can’t help but push. “You hate that Chase is getting attention, don’t you?”

He whips his head toward me and narrows his eyes. “Says who?”

“Says the resentment in your beady eyes.”

He jerks backward as if I’ve shoved him. “My eyes aren’t beady.”

I shake my head and laugh. “Admit it. He did good out there tonight.”

“Why are you always sticking up for the guy?”

“I’m not,” I blurt out. That didn’t sound defensive at all. Talk about revealing yourself. Donny dips a skeptical eyebrow at me. I deflect—or try to. “Need another beer?”

He checks his bottle, which is half-full. “I’m good.” In a low mumble, he adds, “He did the right thing protecting that kid.” The comment throws me off balance, and I’m asking myself if I heard right when Donny’s eyes flick to mine. “Heard any more from that douchebag of an ex?”

The head-spinning change of subject throws me further off axis, and I barely register the show of respect my brother grudgingly gives Colby. Hope flutters in my chest but folds as I recall the disturbing texts from earlier. I shiver at the memory and realize my brother is studying me, waiting for an answer.

“Not a peep,” I lie.

The fine hairs on my neck stand up, and I look around, peering into every dark corner, expecting to see Randy lurking in the dark. I predict another restless night in my future.

Fear of the unknown, of Randy plotting and planning to blindside me, interrupts my sleep when I’m alone—which is most of the time since I can’t be where and with whom I want. The thought depresses me.

I want off this emotional roller coaster ride. “I’m going to get myself a freshie,” I grumble.

“I’ll get it,” Donny offers, not mentioning that mine’s almost as full as his.

The instant Donovan leaves my side, Colby catches my eye and subtly tips his head to the side. I return a slight nod of my own and head toward the powder room, where I think he’s signaling me to go.

It’s down a quiet hallway, and when I get there, the door’s locked. So I lean against the opposite wall, unsure if I should stay or go. Before I can make up my mind, Colby’s large frame fills the space to my right, and his face brightens with a wide smile.

“Occupied,” I whisper.

He shrugs. “We wait.”

“But someone will see,” I hiss.

A shadow moves past the entrance to the hallway, and I suck in a sharp breath. Donny! My brother’s focus is elsewhere, but panic grips me. He’s going to turn his head and spot Colby beside me at any moment.

Colby must see him too because he grabs my hand and tugs me through a doorway that leads to an office. The bathroom door opens, partially blocking the view from where Donny stands. Colby hauls me all the way into the office and shuts the door behind us. I don’t know if Donny or whoever came out of the bathroom glimpsed us, but none of that matters when I’m manhandled into a searing, possessive kiss. We break for a beat, but I don’t get a chance to tell Colby how great I thought he was tonight before his mouth crashes back down on mine.