Chapter 4

WREN

Screams and cheers erupted in the arena.

Everything had happened within seconds, everyone had risen to their feet, both teams trying hard to stop them from throwing punches, I stood there with my scarf still wrapped.

“I bet Blake feels inferior getting beat by Dani’s team, he really can’t accept he can’t stand toe to toe with the best.” I heard a guy snicker to his friend behind me.

“He could have gone home to sulk up but he really had to let himself get into a fight… I know he's going to get beat up.” his friend cackled.

Dani’s teammates held his shoulders, likewise Blake’s team. Looking past the cheering crowd, Dani’s eyes met mine.

I didn’t know how, the arena was full and people were on all sides around me so how did our eyes lock? Why couldn’t I look away from him?

Someone stood in front of him, cutting the little intense moment and blocking me from seeing him. I clenched my fists on my lap and shut my eyes to reduce the uneasy feeling.

The officials arrived and sorted the situation, giving penalties to those who deserved it. Blake was nowhere to be found in the ice rink. I searched around before seeing the door they had gone through, the one leading to the changing rooms, I watched it swing shut and told myself to stay glued to my seat.

I couldn’t, pushing myself up, I squeezed through the crowd and walked through the corridor, the smell of rubber and cold air. I walked my way to the team's room and knocked twice before someone opened it, staring down at me with a raised brow. “Is Blake in here?” I asked.

He nodded, gesturing to where Blake sat, which was in the far end of the room with a towel around his shoulders and his helmet on the seat beside him. Most of his teammates were cleared out or avoiding him, his jaw was already beginning to colour, from the look of it, I knew it was going to get worse by the morning.

He looked up when he heard me. Before I could say anything to him, he closed the distance between us and kissed me.

It was hard with both hands cupping my face in desperation… probably possessive, like he was telling everyone in the room I belonged to him again.

I let it linger for a moment before pushing him lightly on the chest, I stared at him with concern. “Your face.”

He looked down at me with a smile. “Does it look good to you?”

“Looks like you got it.”

“Someone did in fact hit me.” He chuckled amidst the anger raging through his eyes.

“Blake.”

“I’m fine wren.” He stepped back and sat down on the bench like he wanted the conversation to end.

Looking around I found the first aid kit on the shelf above the sink, it was normal for every sports facility to have it. I got some ice and wrapped it in a cloth before bringing it over to him.

He looked at me quietly, for a moment before taking it from me. “You don’t have to do this.” He said, looking away.

“I know.”

“I can take care of myself.” I saw his fist clenched.

“I know that too.” I sat down beside him, staring at the side of his face. Looking up close at the bruise I could see it was worse than I imagined, it had darkened across his jaw and was going to be even more evident tomorrow. “Put the ice on it.

He held my gaze for a moment then lifted the ice to his jaw. We sat there in the cold, smelly room. “Go.”

I turned to look at him again. “What?”

“I meant, go enjoy your evening, I don’t need you to baby sir me.” He sounded harsh, this wasn’t new for Blake, Losing a game meant he was going to be in a bad mood for who knows how long. “I’ll text you later.”

I stood up. “Put more ice on it when that one.”

“Sure.”

I turned to leave, glancing back at his sullen gaze before walking out.

Walking back to the arena, the corridor was almost empty, I was almost close to the main passage when I turned the corner and nearly bumped into someone.

“Whoa, watch where you step, lady.” Dani chuckled.

I froze, pulling away from him. My jaw gaped open.

He had changed out of his jersey wearing a plain dark shirt, his hair slightly damp from the ice, he had a small cut at the corner of his mouth that hadn’t been there this morning, he looked at me quietly as if waiting for me to say something.

“Why did you hit him?” I asked.

He didn’t say anything at first. “She made a wrong choice.” He mumbled.

I arched my brows. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“That’s not an answer, that’s…” I stopped. “You don’t get to decide that, you know nothing about my relationship, you don’t know what he means to me so you don’t get to…”

“Well, I know what I saw.” He interrupted me, with a stern look on his face.

“You fought him, that’s what you saw.” I shook my head at him.

“I know what I saw.” He repeated.

“What do you know about me, Dani?” I fired back. “You don’t keep anyone around long enough to know what it even feels like.”

His jaw tightened.

I could see the warmth in his eyes slowly fade away, anger replacing it and for a minute I began to feel like the worst person in this building. Walking around him, I made my way back to the arenas.

Ralston had won.

Two points ahead of the other team.

By the time I made it to the arena, Ross was already at the top of the stairs grinning widely. Seeing me he walked over, swinging his arm around me.

“You okay?” He asked once we were outside.

“Head, just had a long day.” I shrugged.

“Well come out with one, I know a good place to revive you.” He nudged my shoulder.

“Ross, I have to study…”

“Fine one, quit being nerdy for a day and live.” He pressed his lips together. “There is a pool party at Lacey’s place, it’s going to be low-key I promise.”

I rolled my eyes. “Your version of low-key and the actual definition do not tally.”

He grinned. “Is that a yes?”

I thought about it for a moment, from moving apartment to this crazy thing that happened between Blake and Dani… I really deserved a break.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

~~~~

Lacey’s place was in no way low-key.

It was loud in a good way, the pool glowed with a blue light that reflected in the trees not too far from it. People were laughing and chatting with each other. Ross had found someone he knew and basically left me to myself, something he always does, and it was nothing new to me.

I stood alone staring quietly at the scenery. “You came to celebrate him, didn’t you?”

I turned around to see Blake, my eyes trailed down to the white tape strip on his bruise, he didn’t look at me but at the pool.

“I came with Ross.”

“Right.” He took a sip from the drink he was holding. “Not to celebrate Calloway.”

“Blake.” I was tired of this already.

“Just asking.” He smiled at the pool. “Just want to know where I stand.”

I opened my mouth but closed it back, he turned around and walked away before I could say anything, I stood there holding the fruit punch Ross had given me before he disappeared off to who knows where.

I sighed, turned around and began to find somewhere quiet. I finally spotted a less populated area of the pool and approached when I stopped… It was Dani.

He was on the far edge of the pool, sitting in one of the low deck chairs with his forearms on his knees and a drink dangling from one hand. He looked like this was the last place he wanted to be.

I approached, standing in front of him with arms folded over my chest. “I’m sorry,” I said. “What I said in the corridor about not keeping people around… I didn’t mean it and I’m sorry.”

He looked up, staring for a while like he was stunned to hear me apologize.

“Have a seat, Wren.” He gestured to the chair beside him.

I quietly sat, both of us silent for a few minutes. Just the pill water and the distant music could be heard.

Swirling the drink in his hand, he took a sip while I watched him from the corner of my eyes. He turns to look at me, for far longer than he needed to. His stare was blank and I couldn’t tell what was going through his mind.

He leaned closer to me, his breath smelled like alcohol. He filled my cheeks in his hand and smiled, staring into my eyes, he opened his mouth to speak. You’ve always been beautiful, Wren.” He turned my lose hair behind my hair. “Can I kiss you?.”