Unsteady

by Peyton Corinne

“Sadie is… kind of a loner. She doesn’t really play well with others.”

as if she's not right there is crazy

The next morning, before I can even consider what I’ll do to get back my own car, I step outside to see my Jeep is in the driveway, freshly detailed. It starts without any complaint.

RHYS IS IN LOVE WITH YOU LET IT HAPPEN BABE

“It’s not that hard to pick up a phone, Rhys. Even for just a text.” He sounds stoic, but his blue eyes are deep pools of hurt and betrayal. “I thought you were going to die.”

aww bennett

Bennett’s service dog,

dog has entered the chat

“Don’t mention it. It was good.” That’s what she said. Not good enough, though, because she didn’t seek me out again.

she's got problems rhys idk what to tell you

Not to mention that the dress makes it much easier to get in and out of this party with what I came for—a quick distraction.

GET IT TOGETHER GIRL RHYS OFFERED

“Rhys,” he offers.

idk why i just read this as rizz

“I’d like to see your stamina when you’re not fresh off an adrenaline-high crash.”

HELLO

Hookups only, that’s my MO, and I refuse to apologize for it; if men don’t have to, why should I?

you know what hell yeah

“Not interested, actually. Get. Off.” “That’s what I’m trying to do.”

i physically cringed

“Yes,” Koteskiy says, at the same time I blurt, “No.”

girl he's saving you shut up

“Having trouble hearing?” he says, shoving Sean back hard enough that he trips, even though Rhys has barely moved. “She’s told you no repeatedly.”

hot man behavior

“Then she can play them with me. Get the fuck out of here.”

BIG PAUSE- resume

I thought you hockey boys are indestructible.” It takes only a moment to realize I’ve said something wrong, crossed some unspoken boundary with my words.

big yikes- not that she would know but

“But locker rooms are perfectly fine? As long as it’s to soothe your shit, not mine, yeah?”

BUT Y'ALL WERE NOT GONNA BANG THERE

A wave of frustration rolls through me, as if I have some automatic claim on her, like a fucking third grader. I licked her so she’s mine.

who were you licking in third grade rhys?

They all sing at the top of their lungs to the blaring Taylor Swift song, so loud I can’t really make out their voices in the mixed chorus.

SLAY

“I don’t know the song.” “You don’t know ‘Getaway Car’?” Ro joins in, smooshing in next to Sadie. It

i'm with ro- YOU DON'T KNOW GETAWAY CAR

And definitely not the girl to date someone like you.”

hurtful

The girl can read chapter-long filthy sex scenes without a flinch, but tell her a boy thinks she’s pretty and she turns into a tomato.

me and ro are twinning

Of course it’s Rhys, looking like a goddamn wet dream in gray sweatpants and a navy Dri-FIT long-sleeve shirt that hugs every single inch of his tight upper body.

not the man lingerie

See if the golden boy captain can release his tight control for me.

god DAMN girl

I nearly swallowed my tongue as I listened to him order my go-to drink.

i'm gonna lock them in a room together and they can't come out til they realize they love each other

Before I can answer, he suddenly freezes, before breaking into a howl so loud I have to slip my hand over his mouth. He’s babbling through my hand, pointing frantically at Rhys.

i absolutely adore liam omg

“You stop trying to control everything and let the nice hockey boys play with your brothers while you take a moment to not be their mom.”

listen to ro girl

“I was in butterfly for so long I thought I pulled something, you blockhead.”

he's so mad he has resorted to charlie brown insults

Dr. Bard calls it a negative coping mechanism and says it’s a symptom of PTSD, which I definitely don’t have and she will not convince me otherwise.

so you definitely do babe and that's okay

To the world, there’s nothing Maximillian Koteskiy loves more than hockey. But anyone who truly knows him knows he’d give up every Stanley Cup win and his entire career if it meant he’d hold on to my mother.

He sounds insane, but I trust Coach enough not to have someone like that messing with our team mojo.

i wouldn't put it past him

“Sadie really does have a type, huh? Surprised she isn’t the one thirsting after—” “Tyler, stop. Please,”

i'm with sadie- i don't like tyler

My eyes trail over her bare shoulders;

SLUTTY SHOULDER IS OUT

There is a video out there of the game and the injury. I tried to watch it once, but got sick and didn’t make it past the first intermission.

poor rhys

“Do it one more time, Sadie. Make it fucking perfect,” he whispers in my ear before jolting back.

not loving his vibes yet again

“Girlfriend?” Rhys blushes and I find myself suddenly aching to say yes and tackle him to kiss his heated skin.

then do something about it girl

“See you around, hotshot.” I don’t need him or his help. Or his stupid dimples.

OMG GIRL GET IT TOGETHER

Instead, I shrug off her concern with an eye roll. “I can handle Kelley. Worry about yourself.”

this is why you have no friends

“My terror, come here.” His arms open and he tucks me into a tight hug. More tears escape, my arms stationary at my sides as I absorb the comfort I don’t even know if I want.

is it tough love or is he just mean

The player who’d nearly killed me last spring. And Coach Harris wants me to play with him—not

no thank you

You need a distraction and I need a… release.” Something dims in his eyes, his dimples disappearing. A little pain throbs in my chest, but I ignore it.

this fwb situation is already way past this point- just date omg

“Never mind—I’m not missing my chance. Yes.”

girl he'd do anything for you wife him up

“Nothing to talk about, Koteskiy. Get over it already.”

hands would be thrown INSTANTLY

Bennett grumbles at that, his voice still quiet, but thundering in the locker room because it’s rare for him to speak out. “Take some responsibility for yourself.”

it's getting serious now

I shoot forward, slamming my hands into his chest and tipping him back into his cubby. His head knocks back against the top shelf. “This is my fucking team. Show some respect.”

AS YOU FUCKING SHOULD RHYS

I slam my fist in his face like a knee-jerk reaction.

fully deserved

With Rhys, waiting longer than a day to see him again, to touch him, feels like torture.

maybe you should idk MAKE IT OFFICIAL

We do this dance every time. Him, too sweet and caring and gentle. And me, shoving his embrace off with some half-hearted excuse for leaving while I try to pretend I don’t see the sadness re-entering his eyes.

be nice to him omg

And, just like every time before, he waits until my car starts and drives to follow me out of the lot.

he does this and you STILL won't commit, jesus christ

“You saw him, Reiner. He stared at the fucking door all night waiting for her.”

aww rhys

“You’ve already hurt him once tonight. Considering your track record, I think it’d be better if I stop you now. You don’t give a shit about him.”

unfortunately he clocked her shit

“I knew she might not come, okay? You’re right. It was stupid of me to ask.”

this hurts my feelings