Chapter 4

Violet:

Jess burst through the back door, her ginger curls exploding from a messy bun. She was already talking before she'd even hung up her coat. "Did you hear? The captain got into some kind of trouble last night. Derek posted something cryptic on his story, and now everyone's speculating. I swear, that guy is nothing but drama."

I froze, my hand stilling on the counter. "What kind of trouble?"

Jess shrugged, tying her apron around her waist. "Who knows? Probably got caught with another puck bunny. That's all he does, right? Skate, score, and screw." She made a disgusted face. "I don't get the hype. He's just a guy with good cheekbones and a stick."

My face heated. I turned away, pretending to organize the pastry case. "You don't even know him."

"Don't need to." Jess grabbed a pitcher of milk and started steaming it for a latte. "I've seen his type before. All charm and no substance. He probably doesn't even remember the names of the girls he hooks up with."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I gripped the counter so hard my knuckles went white. He probably didn't remember me. Why would he? I was just another girl in a bar, another warm body, another mistake he'd forget by the time he hit the rink.

"Vi?" Jess's voice cut through my spiral. "You okay? You look pale."

"Fine," I said too quickly. "Just tired."

"Uh-huh." Jess didn't look convinced. She set down the pitcher and crossed her arms. "You know you can tell me anything, right? I don't judge. Well, I do judge, but only in a loving way."

I opened my mouth to deflect, to make up some excuse about Marcus, about Chloe, about anything other than the truth. But the words wouldn't come. How could I tell her that I'd slept with the guy she just called a walking red flag? How could I admit that I'd been so broken and desperate that I'd climbed into bed with a stranger?

"Hey." Jess softened, stepping closer. "Whatever it is, it's okay. You're safe here. I've got your back."

The bell above the door chimed, and I looked up, grateful for the distraction.

My heart stopped.

Liam Carter walked into the café like he owned the place. His dark hair was still damp, like he'd just come from the rink. He wore a faded hoodie and jeans, nothing flashy, but he still commanded the room like a king entering his court. The few customers turned to stare. A girl in the corner pulled out her phone, probably to take a picture.

Jess's jaw dropped. "Speak of the devil," she muttered under her breath. "What is he doing here? He never comes here."

I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. My hands were frozen on the counter, the rag still clutched in my fingers. Liam's eyes swept the café, scanning the tables, the booths, the line. And then they landed on me.

He smiled. It was small and tentative, nothing like the cocky grin I'd seen on the team's promotional posters. He crossed the café in a few long strides, ignoring the whispers and stares.

"Violet," he said, and my name on his lips did something dangerous to my chest. "Can we talk?"

Jess's head whipped toward me, her eyes wide with confusion. "Wait. You know him? Since when?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Liam glanced at Jess, then back at me, his expression unreadable.

"Last night," he said, his voice low enough that only we could hear. "You left before I could..."

"Don't." I held up a hand, my voice sharper than I intended. "Don't do this here."

The bell above the door chimed again, and I looked up to see Amara, one of my friends, walking in. She was still in her athletic trainer scrubs, her dark bob tucked behind her ears. She spotted Liam immediately, and her eyes narrowed.

"Well, well," she said, her tone dripping with suspicion. "Captain Carter. Fancy seeing you here. What's the occasion? Lost your way to the locker room?"

Liam's jaw tightened. "I'm just here to talk to Violet."

Amara's gaze flickered to me, then back to him. Her expression was a question I couldn't answer.

Jess whispered, tugging my sleeve. "What is happening right now?"

I couldn't answer.

"I need to talk to you," he said again, softer this time. "Please. It's important."

Jess looked between us, her curiosity warring with her protective instincts. Amara crossed her arms, her glare unwavering.

"I'll be right back," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

I walked around the counter. Liam followed me to the corner of the café, away from the prying eyes of customers and coworkers.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, keeping my voice low. "You can't just show up at my job."

"I know." He ran a hand through his hair, and I noticed his fingers were trembling. "I know, and I'm sorry. But I needed to see you. You left so fast this morning, and I didn't even..." He stopped, exhaling sharply. "I didn't even get your number. I didn't even know if you were okay."

"I'm fine." The words came out automatic, hollow. "I'm fine. Last night was a mistake. We both know that. You don't have to..."

The bell above the door chimed again, and this time, I heard a voice I knew too well.

"Violet?"

I turned, and my blood ran cold.

Marcus stood in the doorway of the café, his face pale and his eyes wild. He looked like he hadn't slept, his hair disheveled and his shirt wrinkled. He took a step toward me, then froze when he saw Liam.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Marcus's voice was sharp, accusing. His gaze dropped to Liam's hand on my wrist, and something ugly flickered in his eyes.

"Get out, Marcus." My voice was ice. "I don't want to talk to you."

"I'm not leaving until you hear me out." He moved closer, ignoring the stares of customers, the dropped jaws of Jess and Amara. "I've been looking for you all night. I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. But this..." He gestured at Liam, his hand shaking. "This is how you're getting back at me? By sleeping with the captain?"