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Garrett paced back and forth in the small room. Why wasn’t Hannah answering him? Usually she responded much quicker, and between that and the fact that he hadn’t been able to spot her in the stands left him feeling seriously uneasy. His whole body was vibrating. Why did his dad have to show up today? He couldn’t have put it off to another game, one that wasn’t against the group of brutal assholes like Delaney. His fists clenched reflexively and his jaw was so tight he could feel the sting of pain as his teeth ground together. Fuck! He really had to get it together.
His thoughts were disturbed by the sound of the door opening. Hannah stepped through, slight smile on her face, though there was something sad in her eyes that made him want to reach for her. He took a step forward, and she met him in the middle of the room.
“Are you ok? I called and you didn’t…” He started, letting his eyes scan over her for any sign of distress.
“I know… I was just dealing with stuff. I’m ok though.” Her hand found his chest and he felt himself immediately relax into her touch.
“Are you sure?” He had to be certain, and something in the back of his mind was still worried about her.
“I…” She started again, but her face dropped, no longer meeting his eyes. “It’s just…” the words were choked off by a wave of emotion that passed through her body.
“Hey, it’s ok. You’re ok. I’m right here. What’s going on?” His arms snaked around her and pulled her in close. He could smell the familiar fragrance of her shampoon and feel the way she breathed against his chest. His heart broke when he heard the sob slip from her lips.
“I…I can’t. It’s supposed to be in the past. And you’ve gotta go play and you’re just going to be worried about me the whole time. I don’t want you to lose because of me.” Tears were falling freely now, and Garrett wiped one away with the softest brush of his thumb.
“Wellsy, I love you.” He kissed her on the top of her head and felt her ragged breathing. “Look at me… please.” Her eyes slowly lifted to meet his own, red rimmed. Her makeup was smudging but she still looked so beautiful. “I will always be worried about you. That comes with the whole, ‘loving you’ thing.” He tried to smile but Hannah continued to cry. “Please… you trust me, right?” That seemed to do it. She blinked, big blue eyes still brimming with tears. She nodded slowly and swallowed before taking a deep breath.
When she finally spoke, her words were soft, barely louder than a whisper. “He… the guy who…” she trailed off, gesturing vaguely at nothing in particular. Garrett nodded, squeezing her other hand reassuringly. “He’s here… I didn’t know he was still playing. But he’s here and people were talking about him and…I freaked out.” She let out another sob and buried her face in his chest.
“He’s here… playing tonight?” A bolt of anger shot through him.
Hannah could only nod and cling to him.
“Who?” Just one word, a clear command, leaving no room for hesitation.
“No, please Garrett. Don’t do anything.”
“Tell me his name, Hannah.” His eyes were dark, he could hear the edge in his own voice. He hated how much he sounded like his own father. But this time his anger wasn’t directed at innocent people, this time his anger had an outlet.
“D…Delaney.” She whispered.
Garrett took a step toward the door, but Hannah’s hand caught his elbow. Her fingers pulled the material of his jersey, hard. He could see the effort on her face as she tried to hold him back. “It’s ok, Wellsy. I’ll deal with him. You don’t have to worry.” He pulled again, but she held on tight.
“No. Please…Garrett. I don’t want you to fight him.” she pleaded, and Garrett felt himself relax slightly.
“He hurt you. I hate seeing you hurting like this, and right now… right now I’m angry. I could do it, I would do it. I will always fight for you, Wellsy.”
“Please…don’t.” Her voice wavered, more tears threatening to pour out of her. “I…I wasn’t the only one who lost things because I came forward.” She looked up, staring intently at him, words coming slowly. “My mom…lost many of her friends in the community. My dad lost his job. But that’s what I get for speaking about the mayor’s son.” She hesitated, as if waiting to see how Garrett reacted. His forehead was knitted with a mix of concern and anger, and his fists were clenching and unclenching over and over.
“I just don’t want you to throw away your career for me too. He’s not worth it, Garrett. Please don’t fight him.”
“Ok.” It was all he could say. He knew he couldn’t deny her request. “But if he says anything, I might ‘accidentally’ check him harder than necessary.”
That got a chuckle out of her. “Garrett…”
“Fine. I won’t hurt him. No matter what he says.”
“Thank you. Please don’t listen to him. You know the truth, I’ve trusted you with that. Don’t let him get under your skin, ok?”
“Ok.” He swallowed and let himself relax into her arms. He held her there for several long minutes, just feeling her breaths soften and return to normal.
“Ok, now get back out there and kick his ass!” She smiled and wiped at her eyes, which only smudged the makeup more. When the flicker of anger passed over his features, she continued, “Metaphorically. Metaphorically kick his ass. Win this game. Then we’ll go out to celebrate at Malone’s after, ok?”
“Ok.” He leaned down so their faces were almost touching. “I love you Wellsy. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” She lifted up slightly, pressing their lips together. “And once I’ve fixed this…” She gestured to her makeup. “I’ll be right out there to cheer you on. Don’t look for your dad, look for me. I’ll be there.” She kissed him again, deeper this time, as though emphasizing how much she loved him.
Every part of him wanted to stay, to hold her, to ignore the game outside. But right now he had a job to do, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to let that team of assholes ruin his night. With one last kiss he stepped out of the room, winding his way back through the hallways until he stepped out onto the ice. And this time, when the puck dropped, Garrett won the face off and wiped the smile from Delaney’s smug face.