Chapter 22
The boys were coming out to the bus anytime now and their families and us girls waited anxiously to congratulate them. Teams and other parents walked past checking out our small group of people before they walked into the rink. I'm sure we were a sight to see, all of us ecstatic and jumpy from the game we just watched.
"Some game your boyfriend and his buddies played." I jumped looking over to see Carter and Brendan standing behind me.
I looked for help from Georgia but she was busy talking to Jess a couple feet away. Taking a breath I turned back to face the Harland boys. "He did, didn't he? Played way better then both of you combined I bet."
Did I really just say that? What has gotten into me? First the cheering, now the confident comebacks.
"Oh, just as feisty as you were the other day. I like it." Brendan said. I resisted the urge to cower away. I had to maintain confidence to let them know they weren't affecting me. But when Carter reached out to touch me I flinched away.
I took another glance at the doors to see if Jack was coming out, but there was no sign of him. Where was he when I needed him?
"I'd like it if you'd leave me alone now." I bit back hoping they'd leave.
"You heard her, get lost." Talon stepped in between me and the other team. He took the same posture Jack had taken many times before and the Harland Raiders pretended to not look intimidated.
I smiled at their discomfort. "We were just leaving, no need to cause a ruckus." Carter said throwing his hands into the air before leading his team away.
It was quiet for a moment before Talon spoke. "Before you think anything, just understand that I didn't do this for you. Jack would've killed me if I let those guys harass you." He said before stalking past me and towards the bus. I watched him walk away and caught the small nod he gave Jack which Jack returned when they passed each other.
Talon stood up for me? Well technically for Jack, but still he had gotten rid of the Harland Raiders. He didn't have to. He could've let Jack deal with it, but he didn't. He took care of it himself. Talon, maybe a major dick but I know now that maybe sometimes he can be slightly less of one.
"You okay?" Jack asked when he reached me.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I say shaking my thoughts away. "You won!" I squealed in attempt to lighten the mood.
"It was because of you." He says. "You told me to kick their asses so we did."
Jack grinned smugly dropping his hockey bag onto the ground beside him. He then reached his hands out and gripped my waist pulling me closer to him. My breathing increased and my face heated up.
Noticing my reaction Jack smiled before bringing a hand up to caress my cheek.
"Hey Lovebirds! Wait 'til we get back to the hotel to have your moment. I need a shower." Cole shouted jokingly out to us. Breaking eye contact I glared at Cole while Paisley punched his chest lightly.
"You shush, let them have their moment." She says giving him a stern look.
I giggled and Jack released his hold on me. "It's okay moment's over now." Jack teased rolling his eyes at Cole.
*****
"There I was, seconds left of the game. It was all dependent on me..." Cole told his game story again to the old ladies a table over from ours.
After showers and change of clothes the team went out for dinner and ended up at Chipotle Mexican Grill. I haven't eaten here since the last time I visited seattle five years ago with my dad. He'd always make sure we made a stop here before we left the city.
My heart lurched at the memories I used to share with my dad. Despite his phone calls and
birthday cards I still refuse to speak to him after he left. I still couldn't believe mom suggested I go visit him, like I would. With his new family and his new wife I'd feel like an alien. I'd rather endure the team's rowdy and stinky company.
"You alright?" Jack asked. His hand rested on the back of my chair and he looked at me in concern.
Did I zone out? I must have because the whole table had settled down to look at me. My cheeks heated with the attention and I nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Rosie, if the team's bothering you, we can try to sit further away," He started to suggest and I was surprised he even thought of sitting away from his team, for me. Even if it was the team bothering me I wouldn't have let him do that. His team means a lot to him and I couldn't pull him away from them. Not after Talon scared off the Harland goons for Jack's sake.
"No, no, it's not the team I just... I just zoned out for a bit." I say giving him a small smile to show I meant what I said.
Jack eyed me suspiciously. "Okay, but if they are let me know and I'll handle it." He says he tone completely serious.
"Oh no, we aren't satisfying the #1 fan?" Talon mocked before rolling his eyes and taking a bite of the huge burrito he had gotten. Someone's back on the dick train. Jack's hand tightened on the back of my chair.
"Talon..." He warned but Talon only rolled his eyes again. Jack had to have known what Talon had done today to stop the Harland's harassment, but now he was acting as if Talon was the enemy.
Subconsciously I reached out and grabbed onto his bicep. His muscles relaxed under my touch. I watched as he looked down to my hand before he met my eyes.
"Come with me to get a refill." I stated grabbing my cup and pulling Jack up with me.
Jack followed behind me to the coke machine. There was a short line so I would have to wait a bit. I looked up at Jack watching as he scanned Chipotle before looking back at me. He smiled lightly. My stomach erupted in heat and without paying attention to my balance I stumbled back and into a boy about our age.
He was wearing a OSU t-shirt and a beanie. I'm not going to lie he was not that bad looking. "My bad." The guy said placing me back up right after he had caught me with his arms.
Jack growled beside me and I snuck a glance at him. He was staring harshly at the guy.
"Sorry about that." I muttered as the guy gave me a light smile, glanced at Jack, then turned back to walk to his table.
The line moved up and it was my turn next for a refill.
"You don't have to worry about every guy I run into, you know." I say, a little annoyed with how Jack reacted.
"Yes, I do."
"And why is that?"
"Because all guys are a threat to me." He says caressing the side of my cheek.
"So you think every guy is like the Harland team."
Jack tensed at the mention of that team. Whatever grudge he had with them was deep and personal. "Not necessarily but why would you mention them? Did they talk to you today?"
Jack's demeanor changed. His eyes went cold and his shoulders broadened. He stepped closer to me, keeping a hold on my chin so I couldn't look away. I wanted to look away. I though he knew that they had harassed me but I guess he didn't. Now, I was worried to see how he'll react when I tell him they did.
I focused my eyes on Jack's prepared to tell him the truth but I choked. "I-I...um just bumped into them, that's all." I muttered.
"Did they touch you or harass you?" Jack asked. He was taking this seriously. His hand moved from my chin to my shoulder where his thumb began to rub circles. I wasn't sure if the action was meant to reassure me or to keep him calm.
"No, Talon handled it."
The lady in front of me finished filling her cup then turned to look back at us. She looked worried, probably over hearing our conversation. I smiled trying to reassure her that everything was fine. She smiled lightly back, stole a quick glance at Jack before walking away. Once she was gone I stepped forward, placing my cup under the coke button to refill it.
Jack stood behind me, carefully watching my actions. "Talon, handled it?" He asked sounding shocked. I would be too.
I nodded popping my lid back on my cup and turned to face him. "Yeah..." I say starting to lead us back to the table.
I watched as Jack eyed Talon warily before he went next to him and lent down to whisper in his ear. I couldn't hear what Jack was saying but Talon shrugged in response glancing to me and back to his food. The action had me confused.
Jack stood up and patted Talon on the back. He then walked over and took his seat next to me.
"What was that about?" I ask. Jack shrugged.
"Thanking a friend."
*****
It was past midnight and I still haven't fallen asleep. I groaned flipping over to face Georgia's bed. She had fallen asleep when we got back to the hotel at around nine. She let out another snore and I buried my face into my pillow.
Why won't sleep come? Glancing at the clock on the nightstand again, I realized it was almost one thirty in the morning. The team had a game at eight so that meant we had to be up and ready to go before seven. There was no way I'd be able to get up if I didn't fall asleep now.
I clamped my eyes shut again willing myself to fall asleep but sleep didn't come. Giving up I rolled myself out of bed and walked around the room looking for the room key. Maybe all I needed was food, and there was a vending machine down the hall. Finding the key on the bathroom counter I snatched it up, pulled on my slippers, grabbed a few dollars, and left the room quietly shutting the door behind me.
The hallway was empty. Everyone most likely asleep, like I should be. Sighing, I followed the carpet pathway until I reached the vending area.
I could hear the humming from the machines as I turned the corner to reach it. Not expecting to see anyone, I jumped when I saw Jack pulling a Sprite from the coke machine.
He smirked unfazed by my sudden appearance. His eyes looked me up and down before I realized I was in my pajamas, a tank top and some short boxer shorts I had gotten from Wyoming. I crossed my arms over my chest hoping to cover up a bit more.
"Someone's up late." Jack teased winking at me while he twisted the cap of his bottle and took a sip. I couldn't help but stare as his jaw clenched and his adam's apple bobbed while the Sprite ran down his throat. Taking the chance to check out his appearance my eyes ran down his body. I just realized he was shirtless, his toned chest was being shown off, and I couldn't help but look down to see his v-line run into his nike shorts.
Clearing my throat I looked back up to his eyes. He was watching me and I was embarrassed to be caught checking him out. Blushing I bit my lip, walked into the room and to the candy vending machine.
"I couldn't sleep, so I came to get food." I stated putting a dollar into the machine and pressing buttons to get some M&ms. I could feel Jack's staring at me, and I willed the candy to drop quicker. When it finally did I reached into the bin and pulled it out before turning to face Jack.
He had moved closer to me and was leaning against the ice machine. "I couldn't sleep either. I've got big games tomorrow."
"You nervous?" I ask.
Jack shook his head. "Not with you there, but we play the Mighty Bears and theres this guy on that team who hates me. I'm expecting he'll start a fight, and I can't get kicked out of that game." He explained honestly.
His gaze dropped to the Sprite he held in his hands. His forehead was creased and I couldn't stop myself. Taking a step forward I reached out and ran my fingers along the crease and down the side of his face. "I'm sure everything will be fine." I said soothingly.
Jack looked into my eyes and I was entranced. My breath caught in my throat and I felt a sudden desire to kiss him course through me. I bit my lip to stop the urge.
"Oh fuck it." Jack muttered harshly before he dropped the Sprite to the ground.
I gasped taken by surprise when his lips met mine as I was pushed against the vending machine. His hands found their way to my waist and his grip tightened around me as I met his kiss with eagerness.
Passion and lust flew through me and it was if I had been waiting for this all day. I ran my fingers through his hair tugging his face closer to mine as our lips continued to move in sync. Jack responded my pushing his body against mine. His lips left mine as he trailed kisses down my jaw and to my neck. I moaned at the new sensation thrusting my body forwards into his
Jack groaned and his hands tightened on my hips holding me against him as he continued his assault on my neck. "Rosie..." He moaned out against my neck as I tugged on his hair when he met my sweet spot.
Jack pulled away from my neck to look at my eyes. We were both breathing hard and wanting more I pulled him into another kiss. I wanted him so badly in that moment and the feelings he gave me were intoxicating. "Jack." I moaned when he pressed further against me.
"Rosie..." He responded pulling his head back to look at me. His chest was moving up and down. "Be mine... Please." He said out of breath. I could feel his heart beating rapidly and I almost melted.
I couldn't speak. My breathing was coming out in shallow breaths and my heart felt like it was about to explode. Jack had just asked me to be his and I couldn't even speak to tell him yes. So I nodded my face breaking into a smile.
Jack's eyes brightened and the intense feeling from before returned as he met my lips with his again. This time though it was slower and I felt myself falling from the clouds as his hands held my face to his. Slowly our breathing calmed down yet my heart continued to pound in my chest.
"Finally, you're mine." He whispered against my lips before pulling away.
My stomach tightened at his words and I felt a sense of joy. We stared at each other in contentment for another second or two before I realized we were still next to the vending machines, Georgia was still asleep in the room, and my pack of m&ms laid unopened on the ground next to Jack's bottle of sprite.
"We should probably get back to sleep or we won't be waking up in the morning." I say pushing Jack away from me smirking.