Page 68 of Shootout
Jessie was pissed.
ChapterTwenty-Six
HAVE FAITH
~~Jessie~~
Iglared at Banks and counted to ten, holding back choice words I didn’t want the team to hear, but once we were alone…
I was furious at him for colluding with Boris and coming up with this harebrained scheme. The least he could’ve done was run it by me first. What the fuck was he thinking?
The team cheered when they heard about the wager while I stewed and forced a smile. Banks glanced warily at me as if he knew he’d screwed up. I gave him the cold shoulder. Jonas, who hated the attention focused on Banks and me, clapped his hands and ordered the team back to work. For once, I was grateful he had an overblown ego.
Banks gathered the forwards at one end of the rink and taught them a few nuances of the game, allowing each to practice what he’d preached. As furious as I was, I became mesmerized. I prided myself on my knowledge and ability to play hockey, but Banks took it one level higher. The kids were all ears and absorbing every word he said. He didn’t differentiate between the girls and the boys but treated both with the same high expectations.
I almost forgot I was mad at him. Almost.
“Let’s call it a day,” Jonas shouted from the other end of the rink where he’d been working with the defense.
The kids were reluctant to end it. Banks posed for selfies and signed whatever they asked him to sign before excusing himself.
“I’ll meet you in the parking garage,” he said as he skated toward the rink exit.
I nodded tersely. He cast a worried glance over his shoulder before disappearing down the hallway.
“We’re all rooting for you, Jessie,” said Marnie from behind me. I turned to find my girls gathered around, every one of them grinning.
“You’ll show those boys that we’re just as good,” another girl said. Several joined in with similar declarations. I hoped to hell I didn’t let them down and experienced a moment of pure panic and doubt in my ability to keep up with Banks. Looking at the girls’ expectant faces gave me the boost of confidence I needed. They had faith in me. I had to have faith in myself. After all, once you get to a certain level, so much of the game is mental, not physical.
I could do this. At least I could play with him and give him a run for his money if I didn’t kill him first.
He was standing by his SUV when the elevator doors swished open. I hesitated, gathered my thoughts, and tamped down my temper. I’d chew his ass. He deserved it, but I wanted to do it in a controlled manner rather than being labeled an emotional female.
Drawing in a deep, calming breath, I strode purposely toward him.
“I’m in trouble, aren’t I?” He cut right to the chase when I was within six feet of him. I stopped and stayed out of range. The man had the power to disintegrate my purpose with just one touch, and this was too important not to discuss.
“Why would you say that?” I truly wanted to hear his answer. I leaned back against a concrete support and crossed my arms over my chest.
“Because I made a bet with Boris and involved the entire team without running it by you first.”
“If I were a man, would you have made such a bet without consulting me?”
He squirmed under the intensity of my gaze and appeared thoughtful. Raising his head, he met my gaze directly. My heart squeezed at the sadness and regret I saw in those brown eyes, but I resisted the urge to forgive him. I had to stay strong and prove my point.
“Well?” I tapped my toe on the ground.
Banks swallowed and looked down at his feet again. “I don’t know, and that bothers me. I’ve always considered myself to be a champion of women’s sports. To think I might’ve pulled sexist shit like that on you disturbs me.” He took a step forward and halted at the look on my face. “Plus, if my sisters found out, they’d kick my ass, and I’m actually afraid of them.” He managed a wry chuckle, and I fought to suppress a smile.
Staying mad at Banks was next to impossible, especially when he was so brutally honest and worried.
“I’m sorry, Jessie. I’m a product of a male-dominated world, and I guess I’m more of a work in progress than I imagined. Will you forgive me? I’ll strive to do better next time.” Earnest regret was written in every angle and line on his handsome face, but I wasn’t ready to let him off the hook yet.
“Don’t ever disrespect me like that again.”
“I won’t. I promise. I was so intent on championing you to Boris I let it get the best of me. I’ll tell everyone the competition is off, and I’ll take the blame.”
I shook my head. “It’s too late for that now.”
