I watch the black-and-white photographs of the rink in reverse, flinching once I see myself on the ice. It’s so quick, it’s onerous to inform what’s occurring, however then we get to the start, and the woman stops rewinding and presses Play. I maintain my breath as I watch myself face off with Theo.

Liam’s hand glides across the small of my again, his breaths uneven as he watches Theo assault me.

“Ooo, good!” Casey grins once I flip Theo over my shoulder, then pumps his fist within the air with a cheer once I punch Theo within the face.

“That’s one hell of a thunder punch.” Asher throws a smile over his shoulder.

“Thunder punch and sword dick.” Casey laughs. “They’re like the right pair.”

Asher cracks up whereas I frown, seeking to Liam for an evidence. “Sword dick? What does that imply?”

“Nothing,” Liam growls, shoving Casey’s shoulder.

However the man doesn’t even discover. His laughter has evaporated, his eyes locked on the display as the remainder of the video performs out. Issues acquired messy and determined close to the tip there. You may style my concern as I scramble to get away from Theo.

When my boot smashes into his face, it’s not as satisfying as I believed it could be. I’m beginning to shake once more, and Liam’s hand curls round my waist, tugging me towards his chest.

“It’s over now,” he murmurs. “It’s over.”

I shut my eyes, exhaustion swamping me, whereas Casey and Asher have a quiet chat with the safety man.

“It’ll be sufficient to convict him. It’s apparent he attacked first and he or she was simply defending herself.” Asher factors his thumb on the display.

Let’s hope the police agree with him.

They arrive about 5 minutes later, and we stroll out to the entrance entrance, the place Theo is cursing up a storm and accusing Ethan of assaulting him. The top coach places a fast cease to that earlier than turning on the weeping girl behind him and barking at her for letting this moron in.

“He held the door for me. He was good and smiley and useful. I didn’t even give it some thought when he adopted me inside.” She whimpers, dabbing at her eyes with a balled-up tissue. “He appeared like he was presupposed to be right here.”

The coach grunts, muttering one thing about safety not being tight sufficient. His darkish gaze sweeps over me, and I shrink again, figuring out I’m included on his listing of people that shouldn’t be in right here proper now.

It’s an extended night because the police query everyone concerned. They watch the video, and I stroll via what occurred yet again. The officer who interviews me could be very form, and I’m grateful for her calm method. It’s apparent that I used to be simply defending myself, and as I watch them lastly drive away with Theo at the back of their squad automobile, I really feel this large weight carry off my shoulders.

My shock date with Liam is shot, and I don’t have the vitality to exit now, so we head again to Hockey Home, the place Mikayla has been pacing.

She yells at Ethan for not holding her within the loop.

She offers me a fierce hug, then tells me off for not calling her instantly.

Then she rants for some time about… you already know what? I don’t even know.

“She’s hangry.” I cringe, sharing a glance with Ethan.

He snickers and pulls his telephone from his again pocket. “Anybody up for pizza?”

A loud “Puck yeah!” echoes all through the lounge, Mikayla’s voice among the many loudest as her boyfriend locations an order.

I grin, smiling round at these hockey males and my lil’ finest buddy. I like all of them a lot… and it all of a sudden hits me that my life is in Nolan, Colorado, now. The woman who hates the chilly and all the time dreamed of residing by the seashore is settling right into a small, landlocked faculty city.

And the weirdest factor is… I couldn’t be happier about it.

Flinging my arm round Liam’s shoulders, I plant a kiss on his cheek, and as he gathers me towards him, I do know I’m precisely the place I belong.

CHAPTER 46

LIAM

It’s been practically per week since Rachel was attacked on the ice. She’s healed fairly quick, the bruising on her face gentle and barely noticeable. Because of her block, Theo’s knuckles solely skimmed her cheek. It nonetheless riles me once I give it some thought, however all I’ve to do is image the best way she defended herself and the angst is changed with a glowing satisfaction.

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