Chapter 6 – This Can't Be Love

Nicole's POV

“You can try,” Brad said, barely flinching.

The tension was thick, like one spark could set the whole place on fire.

I was transported back to that place of feeling less—that place I didn’t want to return to. And just then, panic slithered up my throat, pressing against my windpipe like invisible fingers tightening with every passing second. My buttocks felt glued to the floor while I still sat there and my chest rose and fell in rapid bursts.

I hated how easily fear crept in me. How it knew exactly where to hide, exactly when to rise.

Something terrible was about to happen and I could feel it vibrating in my spine.

And all I could think was—if a fight broke out, the bar would lose it. Definitely, someone would call security. Or the cops. And you know who’d be blamed? Me.

The “orphan and loner girl” who caused drama at work.

Just my luck. No last name worth anything. No family to call. Just me, the girl with a clipboard and a temper she kept zipped under her hoodie.

And then I would be fired. Just like that. Just standing up to Rowan like I had done without thinking about the consequences was more than enough reason to lose my job.

Brad stepped closer with his steps measured and his eyes like bullets. And before anyone could fully register what was happening, his fist collided hard with Rowan’s face.

The sound echoed like a dropped bowling ball.

Rowan staggered, with his arms flailing like a stunned marionette, before he found some pathetic attempt at balance.

“What the fuck,” he groaned, clutching his face.

Brad didn’t wait this time.

He released another hit- clean and merciless. And immediately Rowan collapsed to the floor. Then a thick blood poured from Rowan’s mouth quickly, staining the floor.

I flinched and my heart skipped.

Some girl near the bar screamed. A chair scraped loudly across the floor.

“Thought you had stamina,” Brad muttered, with his voice low but mocking.

The sound of gasps filled the room. Some of the bar patrons ducked. Others grabbed their phones.

“Oh shit.”

“Holy shit.”

The cries echoed like sirens from Rowan’s friends.

Sophia shrieked and moved quickly to his side.

She dropped to her knees beside him, her movement was frantic, like she could physically force him awake.

“Rowan! Wake up. Rowan, wake up!” Her voice cracked with panic.

She slapped his cheeks gently at first, then more urgently.

“Wake up!”

But Rowan didn’t flinch. He was either knocked out cold or doing a damn good job pretending.

“You killed him, you stupid son of a bitch!” Sophia’s voice rang out, wild and unfiltered.

Brad stood still, looking unbothered, like nothing just happened.

I couldn’t breathe well and my hands trembled against the floor.

This wasn’t just a bar fight anymore. This was something else. Something that would leave bruises on more than skin.

“What are you trying to do here, dude?” One of Rowan’s friends stepped forward, with his tone hot with fury. “You see what you caused?”

The guy puffed up his chest like he was actually going to do something. But of course, he wasn’t as Brad looked so intimidating and couldn't mind beating all of them up if they tried to be silly.

“We’re not letting this slide.”

Rowan’s group began to circle slowly, puffed-up chests and empty threats.

But Brad’s stare was cold and unshaken. He cracked his neck.

“Unfortunately, your coach isn’t here to save your pathetic asses this time,” he said, with his voice like gravel. “Now, I could do this all day if he tries any more nonsense with me.”

His hands curled into fists again and I understood he was fully prepared for whatever that might come out of this.

“Now, I’ll ask once—who did this to Nic?”

He turned slowly, sweeping the room with his glare. His voice thundered as that was too sharp and deliberate.

“I’m not gonna ask again. And trust me, none of you want me to repeat myself.”

The silence moved to uneasy shifting. And then to eyes darting.

For a second, I swore I heard someone swallow hard.

Sophia finally cracked.

“It was an accident,” she said, her voice trembling. “Besides, I’m just a girl. I could never—”

She choked on the words as Brad stepped forward, menace dripping from every inch of him.

I rushed in, placing a hand on his chest.

“It’s not worth it, Brad.”

He paused and his shoulders tensed. But then he looked down at me—and that was enough.

His eyes flicked over my face like he was scanning for damage. I hated how gentle he looked now that he was angry. Like there was a version of him that only I ever got to see.

He exhaled through his nose and stepped back.

Then he bent, took my hand, and gently pulled me to my feet.

“Can we just go?” My voice was barely audible. The adrenaline crash hit hard and my knees wobbled.

“I just want to get out of here.”

He nodded.

Brad slipped an arm around my shoulder, steady and grounding.

His presence made it easier to breathe. Not completely, but way easier.

But just as we turned, Sophia’s voice cut through the noise again.

“Wait! Why are you even helping her? Who is she?” Her tone was soaked in spite. “In case you don’t know—she’s just an orphan.”

The word felt like a slap.

It was always that word.

Always used like it was an insult. Like not having parents was something shameful instead of something painful.

Brad stopped in his tracks and made me have a support on a seat close by.

He touched my face gently, tilted my chin. “Hey. It’s okay. Give me a sec.”

Then he spun on his heel and walked back toward her.

“So was I.” His voice came out like a confession and a dagger.

He crouched slightly, so his eyes met hers where she crouched beside Rowan.

“And that’s still better than being a cowardly little bitch like you. You get that?”

Her jaw dropped, but nothing came out.

He didn’t yell. I think he didn’t need to.

His voice was controlled, but each word hit like a slap.

“I left you because Nicole stepped in. If she hadn’t... well, let’s just say you wouldn’t be sitting pretty, talking shit.”

Then he looked over at his boys. “Make sure they don’t act up.”

They nodded, casually and composed like this was just part of the plan.

I stood there, trying not to sink into the floor.

Not because I was embarrassed but because I couldn’t understand it so well.

Why he defended me so hard. Why he looked at me like I wasn’t just an orphan like they had always thrown to my face at every slightest opportunity.

Brad returned to me, easing his arm under mine again as I leaned on him now. Every step was shaky, like I wasn’t quite sure the floor would hold me.

“You lost the fight,” Sophia called out, barely louder than a whisper. She meant it for Brad.

But neither of us turned.

Losers talk behind your back. That’s the only angle they’re brave enough to use.

Still, I couldn’t shake the image of Rowan—bloody, unmoving, and furious beneath all that fake unconsciousness.

Something told me he wasn’t done. And that scared the living hell out of me.

My heart hadn’t stopped racing.

Even as we stepped out into the cool night, my chest still rose and fell like I would just run a mile.

But what gnawed at me the most? I wasn’t that surprised when Brad walked into the bar. It’s like I knew he would come for me.

Like maybe... he always would.

Maybe he’d already started taking the role of a savior in my life.

But I couldn’t afford to get caught up in that. Not with him. Not with anyone.

Because deep down, I knew something no one had to say out loud.

Guys like Brad? They don’t love girls like me.

That is not love.

That is ‘pity.’

And the sooner I started being real with myself, the better for me. My experience with Rowan had actually taught me not to expect so much from hockey stars.