Chapter 20: Blind Spots

Gianna’s POV

I turned quickly, my boots making no sound on the cold concrete steps. I needed to get out of the rink immediately. The scout's words kept repeating in my head—a liability, a fake girlfriend.

If the NHL team dug into my past to check on Ryker's life, they would find out I didn't exist. They would find out I was running from something far worse than a bad reputation.

"Going somewhere, Cole?"

I froze halfway down the back stairs. The voice didn't come from behind me. It came from the bottom of the exit stairwell, echoing off the cinderblock walls.

I looked down and saw Jaxson Reed was leaning against the heavy metal exit door, his arms crossed over his chest. He was wearing his team's blue varsity jacket, and his skates were slung over his shoulder by the laces. He looked up at me, a slow, ugly smirk spreading across his face.

"What are you doing here, Reed?" I frowned. I instinctively pulled my baseball cap lower, hiding my face in the shadow of the brim.

"I could ask you the same thing," Jaxson drawled, taking a slow step up the stairs toward me. "Outsiders isn't allowed in during closed practices. But then again, you're the captain's special girl, aren't you?"

He stopped two steps below me, making the height difference disappear. Up close, he smelled like sweat and cheap cologne but his eyes weren't looking at my face; they were fixed on the black knee brace gripped tightly in my hands.

"Is that for Barrett?" Jaxson asked, nodding toward the brace. His smile grew wider, more sharper. "I saw him limping a bit during drills today. And he looked stiff on his right side during the gala. His shoulder is messed up, isn't it?"

My heart gave a heavy thud, but I kept my face completely blank. "He’s fine. He doesn't need this. I just found it in the lounge."

"Don't lie for him, sweetheart," Jaxson hissed, stepping up once more. He was way too close now, invading my space just like he did at the gala. "Barrett thinks he's untouchable because he wears the 'C' on his chest. But if his shoulder gets worse during the first period on Friday, he’s done for. And if I happen to hit his right side into the boards a little too hard... Well, that's just hockey."

Anger surge through me, hot and sudden. "If you touch his shoulder on purpose, the refs will throw you out of the team."

"Only if they see it," Jaxson whispered. He reached out, his fingers targeting the strap of the knee brace in my hand, trying to pull it away from me. "Let me see how heavy that brace is. Let's see how bad his knee really—"

"I told you to keep your hands off her, Reed."

The voice from the top of the stairwell didn't sound human. It was low, guttural, and vibrating with pure rage.

We both snapped our heads up as Ryker was stood at the top of the concrete landing.

He hadn't even taken off his skates, and he was still in his full black practice gear, looking dangerously handsome in the narrow hallway. His chest was heaving, and his gray eyes were black with anger.

Jaxson let go of the brace instantly, taking a fast step back down the stairs. "Barrett, calm down. We were just talking."

Ryker didn't say anything, he walked faster towards us with terrifying speed, the plastic guards on his skate blades clicking sharply against the concrete.

He didn't even look at me as he stepped right past me, his large body brushed me gently against the wall, and immediately grabbed Jaxson by the collar of his varsity jacket.

With one powerful move, Jaxson was pinned hard by Ryker against the heavy metal exit door at the bottom of the stairs. The bang was so loud it made my ears ring.

"Ryker, stop!" I yelled, my voice echoing in the small space. "The coach! The scout is still in the building!"

Ryker didn't seem to care. He shoved his forearm directly against Jaxson's throat, pinning him more firmly to the door.

Jaxson’s skates clattered loudly to the floor. His face was already turning red, his hands clawing at Ryker's thick hockey pads to get away.

"I warned you on Friday," Ryker , his face inches from Jaxson's. His voice was a lethal whisper. "You stay away from her. You look at her again, you breathe near her again, and I will end your career before the scouts can even check their watches. Do you understand me?"

Jaxson couldn't speak. He just choked out a quick, terrified nod.

Ryker let go of him suddenly, shoving him one last time against the metal door as Jaxson stumbled, grabbed his skates off the floor, and ripped the door open, sprinting out into the parking lot without looking back.

The heavy door slammed shut, leaving the stairwell completely quiet except for the sound of Ryker's heavy, ragged breathing.

Slowly, Ryker turned around to face me. The dark fury in his eyes didn't fade. He looked at me, then looked down at the knee brace still clutched against my chest.

"What the hell are you doing here, Gianna?" he demanded, his voice rough and angry.