Chapter 17: Close call

Nadia's POV.

"Boys, this is the CEO of Robin Enterprises," the coach began, and I immediately averted my gaze from Zachery, who had already raised a brow.

"Hey guys, it’s truly exciting to be here," Simone beamed with a wave.

"My kids are your biggest fans, and they would like to take pictures with you."

The children squeaked, each bouncing with excitement.

"These are my kids, Katie and Kelvin." Simone introduced, pointing at each of the children.

"Hi, Cheetahs!" Kelvin, I supposed, yelled, waving his hand at Jeremy.

"Look, Katie, it's the captain. It's Captain Jeremy." They continued to squeak, and I continued to hide my face away from Zachery, who stood behind them.

Markers were handed to each of the team players, and we stood in line waiting to write our signatures on the children's jerseys.

Trust me, I loved children, but they seemed bratty, and, plus, I was made anxious and uneasy by the looks their uncle threw at me. Argh, I couldn't wait to go home.

It was my turn to write on their jersey, and I did it quickly, avoiding Zachery's eyes. "Wait, you look familiar," he said as I bent down to write on Katie's jersey. I swallowed hard, biting my lips, my mind racing on an excuse to make up. For me, I pressed down hard, trying to narrow my truths and harden my voice.

"Yeah, yeah, you. You look familiar," he continued, and I straightened my shoulders.

"Of course I do." I stepped back a bit, slightly behind Jeremy.

"If a hockey fan has a claim, then you should know that the Cheetahs are quite famous."

I tilted my head, trying to bottle in the uneasiness.

"You must have watched me in one of the games. I'm a new player though, but yeah, I have been a trending headline."

I said it with a slight grin, and my teammates guffawed.

He didn't seem convinced, but he laughed it off with a neck scratch.

Later, the other teammates signed the jerseys and we took photos.

All that time, my hands were curled up in a fist, praying and hoping the whole episode would be over.

When it finally was, I hurried to the locker room to get my bags.

I couldn't stand one more minute in the arena, and for some reason, it was making my skin itch.

"Let me drive you home," I heard Jeremy's voice from behind me, and I let out a weak breath.

"You don't have to worry, I can go home by myself."

I declined as I threw my bag over my shoulder.

"C'mon, stop being stubborn, peaches.

It doesn't suit you."

Was he teasing me again?

I had had just about enough of him.

One more wrong line, and my fist would've ended up on his abdomen.

"I said thanks, Jeremy." I groaned loudly as I turned to face him.

"I don't want to go with you.

I don't want to be in the same space as you.

Is that too much to comprehend?"

A grin lingered on the left side of his lips.

He was fucking grinning.

Taking in long breaths, I walked past him and hurried to the garage, but shortened my pace when I ran into Ruben and his friends.

"Oh, look who we have here, pretty Noah."

Ruben jeered, laughter biting the edge of his voice.

Why did I have to keep running into jerk-asses today?

I just wanted to go home.

Ignoring him, I walked past, but the bastard just couldn't read the fucking room.

"I'm talking to you, Noah, why are you in such a hurry?"

Before I could even realize his hand was moving towards me, he had already pulled me back, the friction between my feet and the ground causing my sprained ankle to hurt even more.

"What the fuck, man, let me go!"

I bellowed, slapping his hand off my jacket.

"Whoa, wait... I just want to talk, man.

A little chitchat won't hurt."

He taunted, still not letting go of my jacket.

His hands moved fast, too quickly and too roughly, and I feared he might knock off my wig.

"Let him go."

Jeremy's voice growled, and a breeze of relief swept through me.

"I won't fucking repeat myself again, Ruben.

I said fucking let him go."

He barked, and in a split second, he was in front of me, pushing Ruben away and standing defensively.

"Come on, Jeremy, we were just talking.

You don't have to be protective over him every single time."

Ruben said with mocking chuckles.

"I just want to know one thing.

Well, I want to know two things."

He regained his balance and glanced at me, his eyes flickering with mischief.

"So, drumstick, why weren't you part of today's game?

I heard you sprained your ankle, is that true?"

I glanced down at my foot, which was already aching. The pull from Ruben had awakened the pain I had shut down with painkillers.

"And why were you heading to the bus?

Don't you have a car or something?

Even the bitches in hellholes can afford a truck."

He scorned, and I watched Jeremy's hands form a fist.

"Well, Ruben, if you had put as much effort as you do in knowing about my business into your hockey, then maybe you would have scored the leading goal in today's match."

I dished out, and his smile faded, his forehead wrinkling.

"Your breath stinks, by the way.

Get the fuck out of my way."

I said, walking past, my shoulders brushing aggressively against his.

Okay, that hurt.

Even though I heard them laugh after me, I didn't stop.

He deserved the jab, such an asshole.

"Would you stop," Jeremy's voice came, and I realized he had been following me.

"What?"

I asked, turning around, my arms crossed against my chest.

"Let me take you home, your ankle is hurt, please stop being stubborn."

I rolled my eyes at his words.

"No thanks," I tried to dismiss, but he took hold of my hand.

"Is it because of what happened in the locker room earlier?

Are you scared of being alone with me?"

He came closer, and I scoffed, pushing him away.

"I couldn't care less about your presence, Jeremy."

I said, and I watched him straighten himself, dipping his hands into his pockets.

"Good then. Now get into the car and stop being stubborn."

He walked away towards his car, and I found myself walking behind him.