“Stone, will you be able to work with McCormick this year, or will we be seeing some tension between teammates out there on the ice?”

  Another dumb question. I force myself not to eye-roll as I speak into the mic.

  “The best teams leave any past grudges behind. We’re teammates now and will be working toward one goal, and that’s winning the cup this year.”

  A few more questions are asked about the upcoming season, and I start to relax that it’s going to go off without a hitch when I hear a voice from the back speak up that makes my blood begin to boil.

  “Word has it in the small town of Blue Haven that you are living with a dark-haired beauty named…” My eyes narrow at the piece of paper in his hands, and I grab the mic.

  “Shit,” I hear the coach say under his breath seconds before I speak.

  “Her name doesn’t touch your lips,” I say quietly in the mic as his head shoots up to meet my furious scowl. “Do you have nothing better to do in your pathetic life that you have to live through mine? I’ve told you before, Scott, and I’ll tell you one last time. My personal life is none of your fucking business. Stick to the game talk, or I’ll have your ass fired.”

  I get up and storm out. I briefly hear Cayden thank everyone hurriedly before I hear his footsteps fall behind me.

  “Well, that’s going viral tomorrow,” he chuckles when we are alone in the hallway.

  “Ask me if I give a fuck,” I ground out, heading straight to the exit.

  “Are you really living with someone? That’s not your MO,” he laughs softly behind me.

  Sighing, I stop in my tracks as my hand grips the door handle. “She’s… a friend.” Truthfully, I have no idea what to label Savi. Do friends want to kill each other one minute, and then in the next minute, want to rip her clothes off and sink my teeth into her?

  The Montgomerys are like family to me. They are my only family. I’ve tried in the past to put Savi in the little sister category, and it easily worked when she was just a kid. Now, though…now it always fucks with my head when my mind wants to picture her naked.

  Friends is a loose term with us, considering we are at each other's throats most of the time, but it’s an easy explanation for everyone.

  “I’m just staying there until I can find a house to buy.”

  “Friends, huh?”

  “Yup.” I’m not about to give him anymore details.

  “So, will we get to meet this friend of yours on game night? I’m sure the guys would love to meet the girl that’s got you so worked up.”

  I think back to what Savi said earlier about getting to know my hockey buddies and seeing if one of them would be able to take my place.

  That’s a hard fuck no.

  “I doubt it. She hates hockey, especially hockey players.”

  I push open the door and step outside, squinting in the bright sunlight. Cayden’s laughter disappears behind me as the door shuts.

  Well, at least the last part is true. It might be specific to me, but he doesn’t need to know that.

  I head straight to my Audi, not bothering to get the rest of my things out of the locker room. I can’t believe that Scott fucker already has his goons watching me. It was bad enough I had to deal with him in New York, but now he’s in my hometown trying to stir up shit.

  The thirty-minute drive from Bayside to Blue Haven flies by in a blur as I speed down the interstate. I’m still on a high from my winning goal and too worked up from the press conference to head home right now as I bypass the road leading to Savi’s house.

  It also might have to do with the fact that she will more than likely be home. For the past two weeks, I’ve gotten to know her schedule and have been avoiding her since that morning in the kitchen.

  Turning left, I head up the coastal road in search of some dinner and, preferably, a stiff drink. I pull into Montgomery’s a few minutes later and push the stop engine button as the silence surrounds me. Miles’s black bike is in the parking lot, like I knew it would be on a Friday night. Music drifts out of the bar as I step out of the vehicle and shed my jacket, throwing it on the seat before shutting the door.

  Rolling my sleeves up to get more comfortable, I walk toward the building where people are enjoying the view of the ocean below while sipping their cocktails on the back deck.

  I was just as surprised as anyone when Miles told me his plan to quit the band and restore an old dive bar, but now that I see him so happy with Olivia, I’m glad he listened to his gut to come back home. I know life on the road was hard for him once his brothers started having families. The Montgomerys have always been a close-knit group, and I know it was tearing him up whenever he would miss an important event in his nephews’ or nieces’ lives.

  It’s dimly lit when I walk inside as my eyes adjust to the room. Miles and his friend, Noah, did a damn good job on the renovations. I’m still taken aback by the rustic yet sophisticated vibe. Black round booths are set up around the back walls, facing a dance floor and stage where a local band is playing tonight.

  Black industrial shelving holds bottles of liquor behind the driftwood bar. The huge mirror behind the shelves reflects the amber liquids as the lighting above the bar highlights them. Another wooden wall with matching shelving holds a beautiful display of wine bottles that spotlights the local wineries in the area.

  Since Olivia is a wine distributor, she knew exactly what this place needed to draw in the crowd of women who have been going feral over her wine selections. The fact that they can buy exclusive wine by the bottle here from some of the most sought-after wineries in Florida was just icing on the cake.

  Miles spots me from behind the bar and grins as I walk up to him. He looks every bit of a musician with his tattoos and small eyebrow and lip piercing. All the brothers are spitting images of each other with their grey eyes and dark-haired looks.

  “Nice game tonight. How did that hit feel?” His eyes shine with laughter as he pours me a bourbon, already knowing exactly what I want.

  “Damn good,” I smile. “Thanks.” I reach for the drink he passes my way as I sit down at the bar.

  “Can’t say I’m surprised with the way he was playing. I knew the moment you got on the ice, he was going to regret his choices in the game,” he laughs.

  “He took dirty shots at my guys all night long,” I say, taking a sip. The smoky oak flavor slides down smoothly. Miles knows his bourbon, I’ll give him that. “Just wanted to send a little message to him before the season starts.”

  “I’m pretty sure he’ll be feeling that message for days,” he chuckles, before glancing at the back corner with a frown.

  I follow his gaze and freeze when I see Savi in the far booth, laughing at something the guy at the table said to her. She’s all dolled up with her makeup flawlessly done. Her blue eyes stand out against the smoky eyeshadow she’s got going on, but what really draws my attention is her full lips painted a bright cherry red.

  My grip on the bourbon tightens as my eyes skim over her low-cut black top paired with black jeans and heels. I take in every detail, down to the matching red toenail polish.

  “Who’s the guy?” My voice seems foreign to me as I watch her brush her long, dark hair over her shoulder. Her slender neck comes into view, and my body instantly reacts as I strain against my zipper as her tongue swipes across the blood red pout.

  “She came in hours ago with her girlfriend, Wren, and this guy immediately attached himself to Savi’s hip. After her friend left, they’ve been talking ever since.”

  “Do you know him? Maybe she’s trapped and needs you to help her out?”

  I watch the guy she’s with signal the waitress for two more drinks and narrow my eyes even further.

  “You know, Savi,” he sighs. “She gets fucking pissed when my brothers and I interfere. We all promised our girls we wouldn’t do it anymore. We were told Savi is a big girl and can handle things on her own,” he mutters, staring hard at the table in the back. “Doesn’t mean I’m not going to watch every move he makes, though.”

  “Good thing I didn’t promise. Just say the word, and I’ll break it up,” I say, sounding a little too eager than I should.

  “It’s tempting,” he chuckles, “but she would kill us both. If you see anything you don’t like, though, let me know, and I’m in,” he grins before turning toward the customer who just walked up for a drink.

  My gaze goes back to their table, and I watch as their drinks are delivered. When Savi gets distracted checking her phone, he doesn’t hesitate to take the opportunity to throw out a flirty smile accompanied by a wink directed at the waitress. When she turns to walk away, his eyes go directly to her ass as a smug smile crosses his face while he blatantly checks her out.

  It’s clear this guy is a player, and Savi is just his conquest for the night. I debate whether to get Miles involved, but decide to take care of this on my own. One thing is for absolute certain. There’s no way in hell she’s leaving with him. Not without him getting past me.

  EIGHT

  SAVI

  I sensed him the moment he stepped into Montgomery’s, and it didn’t take long before I felt his eyes land on me. I’m sure he and Miles are over there brooding together about how I’m with a guy they don’t know or approve of.

  Evan came up to me after Wren and I were finishing dinner, and he seemed nice enough. He bought us drinks, and when Wren had to leave, he asked if I would like to stay for a bit longer. He’s easy on the eyes with his light brown hair and green eyes, so I decided to take him up on his offer to see if there was any spark.

  I quickly realized he’s got a rather short attention span, seeing as his eyes have roamed to every girl's ass within a fifty-foot radius of our table. It’s obvious he just wants to get me into his bed tonight, and he’s hoping that after a few more drinks, I’ll agree.

  Normally, I would have left by now, but I’m enjoying the way Knox is squirming in his chair. It’s probably wrong, but seeing him clearly agitated over this has me playing this out a little bit longer.

  Taking a sip of my glass of wine, I try to concentrate on what Evan is saying right now. I plaster on a smile and laugh at all the right places to keep up with the charade, but on the inside, all I can think about is the heated gaze of the man sitting across the room at the bar.

  My skin feels warm as the mixture of wine and a moody hockey player blends together. Needing some air, I let Evan know I’m going to use the restroom. I shoot straight for the back hallway, taking the longer way around the bar and avoiding the area where Knox is sitting. Opening the door at the end of the hall, I slip into Miles’s office to use his private bathroom.

  Taking my time, I freshen up and reapply my red lipstick. Since I wear scrubs almost every day of the week, when I do go out, I enjoy getting dolled up. It makes me feel more confident.

  Fake it till you make it, right?

  Turning off the lights in the bathroom, I walk out into the office and stop in my tracks. Knox is casually leaning against Miles’s desk, his arms crossed over his broad chest. He’s dressed up tonight and must have come straight from his game. Miles had it on earlier behind the bar, so he could watch it, and I couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased when he scored the winning goal.

  If anything, Knox was born to play hockey. I’ve been watching games with my family my whole life, and no one loves this sport more than he does, and it shows every time he steps onto the rink. Your eyes can’t help but be drawn to him as he dominates the blades with speed and power. The fact that he’s gorgeous is just an added bonus as women flood the stands with number twenty-two jerseys.

  “What are you doing with him, Savi? You know he’s not good enough for you.” His low voice penetrates the air as I clutch my handbag tighter.

  “Hello to you, too, Knox. When did you get here?” I’m not about to let him know I knew he was here the minute he walked in.

  “Long enough to know that guy is a fucking douche.”

  “Evan?” I feign being surprised. “He seems like a nice guy. I might give him a shot tonight. You wouldn’t mind staying in your apartment, would you, if I brought him home?”

  “Don’t play games with me, sunshine. You will lose every time.” His jaw is tense as his blue eyes burn into me with a piercing intensity. Anyone with half a brain would walk away, but instead, I run right into the flames.

  “Who says I’m playing games? He’s good looking and funny and…”

  “Dammit, Savi,” he says, cutting me off and storming towards me as my back hits the wall. His face is inches from mine as his chest heaves against me. “I know what you are trying to do, and it’s not going to work.”

  “And what exactly am I trying to do?” I ask, my voice unable to be anything but a mere whisper as my lips part on their own accord. He glances down at what I’m clearly offering before shooting back up to meet my gaze. His eyes are a beautiful mixture of torment and need as he fights what we both so desperately want.

  “Make me want things I have no business wanting,” he growls as his fingers dig into my hips. I feel his thumbs skim over my bare skin, sending shivers down my spine.

  “Maybe you should want them,” I breathe before hesitantly putting my palm against his heart. It’s beating fast and steady as a pained look crosses his face before he backs away and heads toward the door.

  “Go home, Savi,” he sighs, gripping the door handle tightly with his back turned toward me and his head bowed. “He doesn’t deserve someone like you.” His voice is so quiet and dripping with sadness that at this point, I have a feeling he’s not talking about Evan anymore, but of himself.

  He walks out without another glance, and I sink onto the couch next to me as my legs give out from under me. A host of emotions has me frozen in place. My skin is still burning like a hot iron from where his hands were gripping me as if I were the only thing holding him up. There was so much chaos in his eyes—a desperate plea to make me understand.

  I stay there until my legs feel steady enough to walk before heading to the bar. Evan has already moved on and is chatting with two girls in the corner. It doesn’t faze me in the slightest. I knew halfway through our conversation he wasn’t getting my number, and this just proves I was right about him.

  “Hey sis. I was just about to come looking for you.” Miles peers at me with a concerned look on his face. “Everything okay? You seem upset.” Looking over my shoulder, his eyes narrow as he sees Evan pull one of the girls to the dance floor. “If that guy upset you…”

  “No, nothing like that,” I shake my head quickly before he storms across the bar to confront him. “They can have him,” I laugh softly and see some of the tension leave Miles. “I’m just tired, that’s all. It’s been a long week, so I’m going to head out. I just wanted to say goodbye before I left.” I walk behind the bar, and he immediately brings me in for a hug.

  “Have you called an Uber yet?” He asks, pulling back and reaching for his phone.

  “I was just about to.” Reaching into my purse, he shakes his head.

  “I’ve got it.” He focuses on his screen before pocketing it. “Should be here soon. I texted you the license plate.”

  “Thank you,” I smile, kissing him on the cheek.

  “Text me when you get home. Love you, Sav.”

  “Love you, too.”

  There’s no sign of Knox as I head to the door and out into the warm, salty night. The moon is full and high above, lighting the way across the gravel parking lot when I spot my ride and climb in.

  Disappointment weaves its way in as I’m dropped off a few minutes later and realize his car isn’t here. I don’t know what I expected, but I was hoping he’d at least be home. I hate the way I care so much if he’s with someone else.

  Pushing the button to lower the garage door, I walk inside and scoop up Freya when she appears at my feet. Her soft purrs calm me as I bury my face in her warm fur and take her into the bedroom with me.

  Setting her on my bed, I quickly change into an oversized t-shirt before washing my face and brushing my teeth. I’m suddenly bone-tired as I toss my throw pillows on the chair in the corner of my room and crawl under the covers.

  I stay awake for as long as I can, waiting for the sound of his car to appear before sleep finally takes me under.

  It’s been a few months since I dreamt of that night, causing my memories to become a distant haze, so much so that I can almost pretend it never happened.

  On nights like this, though, when my dreams become a nightmare, it slams me right back to the night so vividly that I have no choice but to relive it all over again. It’s my own personal hell on repeat as I toss and turn in my sleep, fighting the demons that have sunk their teeth into me.

  Savi - Fifteen Years Old

  My head is fuzzy as I wander around the party in search of my friend. I still can’t believe we are here at an actual party! Kylie’s older brother let us stay as long as we promised not to tell their parents that he threw this party while they were out of town.

  When my parents said I could spend the night here tonight, I had no clue her parents were out of town or about the party, so technically I didn’t lie to them. My brothers would kill me if they knew I was here, let alone find out I’ve been drinking too.

  It’s not my fault that every time I turn around, someone is handing me a red Solo cup filled with a yummy drink that tastes like Kool-Aid.

  “There you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” I turn at Todd’s voice, and he reaches out to steady me as my balance becomes skewed. We met earlier, and he’s been super sweet all night. He and his friends are on vacation for spring break and just happened to hear about the party at the beach today.

  “I’m looking for Kylie,” I giggle, feeling the effects of the alcohol running through my veins. I take another sip of my drink and try to focus on him through the hazy thoughts in my head. “I haven’t seen her in a while and should probably check on her.”