Page 132 of Ice Devil

Ford and I looked at each other.

“I think we just want to play hockey.” My answer seemed to amuse him.

“Good enough.” Abbott nodded to the coach before walking out.

Now that we were alone with the coach, I finally took a deep breath. “Coach. Where did the charity even come in? Who made that suggestion?”

He grinned. “I thought you’d never ask. Ms. Winters is responsible. I can assure you that even with the article, Zane wouldn’t have given you an audience. He doesn’t like controversy. Evidently, she refused to take no for an answer and set up a meeting. You know how it goes with rich guys. You need to find a way of making them more money or greater publicity. She did that with the exhibition match. And in doing so, secured your fate. You have her to thank for getting new contracts. She’s one special lady and cares a lot about you.”

As he walked out, leaving the two of us alone, I turned to my brother. “I fucked up. Didn’t I?”

“Meaning what?”

“I shouldn’t have let her go.”

“Nope,” he said, popping the p. “You shouldn’t have. I offered rope.”

I nodded, the ache in my heart and in my loins growing. “What am I going to do now?”

“Well, little brother, if I were you, I’d jump on a plane.”

“You know what? I think I will and this time, I’m not taking no for an answer.”

With pep in my step, we walked out and headed to the elevators. I’d be damned if anything was going to get in the way of claiming her ever again. She was mine.

My friend.

My lover.

My mate.

Damn it.

As we headed out of the building, the sun on our eyes, I was prepared to do what it took to get her back.

I headed to the truck, trying to pretend like I wasn’t aching. However, I wasn’t good at faking a damn thing.

Even as I shielded my eyes, I could feel tears forming.

“Why the hell isn’t she here? Why? She’s my mate and not only that, I love her, bro. I mean I know we haven’t known each other that long, but I love her. She’s everything. She’s bright and beautiful, drives me crazy all day long, but when I have her in my arms, it’s like she pushes all the difficult situations away. And her spunk is amazing. The way she makes me laugh and holding her while we’re lying in bed is amazing.”

“Why are you telling me?” Ford asked.

I’d stopped walking, uncertain of what the hell I was doing. “Because I can’t tell her.”

“Yeah, you can. In fact, you already did.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

I squinted and shifted my head to see what he was seeing.

“Can anyone join in the party or does this girl need an invitation?”

“Sloane?”

“Yep, it’s me.” She swaggered closer, her eyes flashing at me. She’d never looked more incredible or maybe I should say edible than she did now. “Just a girl standing in front of a wolf hoping he doesn’t eat her. Well, not entirely anyway.”

I growled on purpose, woofing on the backend.