Forever Wild (Wildcat Hockey, #5)

by Rebecca Jenshak

Immediately after, I call Bridget. “Hellooo!” Her voice makes a real smile tug at both corners of my mouth. “Hello to you.” I stand and stretch. Sitting for so long in that lounge chair has my butt numb. “How’s vacation?”

“Good. We just got back from a farmer’s market and we’re going to take a little picnic out on the boat.” My nose scrunches up. I can picture it. Bridget’s curly blonde hair blowing in the wind and Ash nearly crashing the boat as he stares at her. The man is obsessed with her. “You two are adorable.” “I can feel you making a face at me, but I am choosing to take the compliment.”

“Well, this is a treat. I can’t remember the last time Jackson brought a girl home.” He slowly lowers the mug. Jackson? That’s fun. I file that information away for later.

“Yeah, of course,” James says. “Anything else?” Jack stares back at me in a way that makes my stomach dip. Smiling, I say, “I’d tell you to warn them of his attitude, but that isn’t a new quirk so I’m sure they’re aware.”

James’ laugh plays over the speakers and Jack rolls his eyes. “That’s all,” Jack says. “Thanks, James.” He hangs up and the SUV falls silent. “Soo…” I say to break the ice. “Want some coffee first?”

Despite my reservations, once Jack steps into the room of kids, a lot of them, all of which are very excited to see him, I go a little soft inside. One little girl runs over and tackles him around the legs, then stares up at him in wonder. She barely comes to his knees and has to tilt her head way back to look at his face. She looks at him the same way most grown women do, but it’s way cuter when she does it.

“Take a load off, Ev. You look stressed.” “That’s because you stress me out.” “I’m perfectly agreeable right now.” “Yeah, exactly. It’s scaring me more than being in this hospital.” Then he laughs. Truly terrifying.

I step closer to him. “Wrap an arm around my shoulders and let me have some of your weight.” “No.” “Why not?” “I’m fine. I can walk by myself.” With a huge eye roll, I move to him. “You can but you don’t have to, Jackson.” He definitely glares at me and I fight a smile.

“Okay, well, how about a clean slate then?” He snorts a quiet laugh. “Seriously?” “I can admit that I have enjoyed riling you up a time or two.” “A time or two?” “Fine. It’s basically a hobby at this point.”

The smile Jack aims at me makes warmth spread through my chest. “I should go,” I say finally. “Should I expect to find you in my backyard later?” “I don’t know. Is that an invitation?” “Since when do you need an invitation?” He cocks a brow and a little of that bear I like to poke resurfaces.

“I can’t believe you own Midnight.” She narrows her gaze on me. “Though it does have a very you vibe.” “What does that mean?” I ask. I can’t tell if she’s giving me a compliment or an insult.

“It’s all dark and moody.” Her lips curve up into a smug smile as she basically tells me I’m dark and moody. Lately, she wouldn’t be wrong.

“I was just thinking I should start working out again.” She looks longingly at the equipment scattered around. I have a gym inside but the fresh air has been good for me. “You’re welcome to use anything you want, whenever you want.” I pick up a ten-pound medicine ball and toss it to her. She catches it with an “oof.” “I didn’t mean now,” she says. “What else are you doing?” She shifts the weight of the ball from hand to hand.

“I know you’re attracted to me.” My lips part to deny it, but she doesn’t let me. “And I’m attracted to you. Besides, I’m leaving in a few weeks. It doesn’t have to be a big thing.” “I think you know that’s a lie.” “We’re adults. We can handle this maturely.” Says the woman who scaled my fence a week ago.

“Come on, don’t go. We can still hang out.” Although now I’m definitely thinking about sleeping with her so it might be a painful afternoon. “I don’t want to hang out, I want to bang it out,” she mutters quietly. I nearly laugh at her words and how seriously she says them, but my groin tightens.

“Are you afraid I’m going to get all clingy? Because you’re hot but honestly half the time I want to punch you in the face, so I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

“God dammit, Everly. I’m not afraid of you getting attached.” He hovers over me. Even in my heels, he’s a good head taller than me. His stare surveys my face, settling on my lips and then dragging up to my eyes. “I’m afraid I will.” I’m still deciphering his meaning when he steps to me, lifts his left hand to the side of my neck, and kisses me.

“If you think someone can fuck you better than I just kissed you, be my guest.”

“I’m not going to tell him. There’s nothing to tell anyway. We kissed. Once.” “Yeah, while he backed you up against his vehicle.”

“You can’t say anything either. Not even to Ash.” “Ev! There’s no way I can keep this from him.” She’s whispering now but her voice is no less screechy. “He’ll know just by looking at my face.” “Well stop whatever your face is doing before he notices.”

She’s everything I shouldn’t want and everything I crave. Thick blonde hair that I want to fist. Big hazel eyes that see right through me. A mouth that I want wrapped around my cock. Her curves, her fight, her fucking everything. Everly Kent drives me fucking wild. And she knows it.

“I’ve slammed plenty of guys into the boards for a lot less than looking at my girl.” “Your girl?” I ask pointedly. His answer is a Cheshire cat grin. So fucking cocky and confident.

She grins at me as she lets her friend pull her to her feet, then sends me a flirty wink as they go. I blow out a breath and run a hand through my hair. I am in serious trouble with this girl.

“Or you didn’t want me to show up looking a hot mess and embarrass you.” With a slight shake to his head, he grins at me. “Not possible. You could go exactly like you are and still be the most beautiful woman there.” He leaves me, like he didn’t just casually drop the nicest compliment I’ve ever gotten, disappearing back down the hallway. My anxiety spikes as I walk fully into the room.

“How did you know which dress I was going to choose?” I yell, smiling as I run a hand along the silky material, but I forget what I asked, and probably how to breathe, when Jack steps out of his room.

The black suit hugs his tall, broad body in all the right places. My throat is dry while I take him in. I forget all about blowing his mind because mine is officially blown. “Goddamn,” I mutter finally. He smirks, invading my space. His spicy cologne wraps around me, and I swallow hard. “My thoughts exactly.” He lets his gaze rake over me from head to toe, and when I see the spark of desire in his eyes, some of my confidence returns.

“You should get some sleep,” I say reluctantly. “Me too. Brian will be by early.” She smirks. “How’s that going?” “Good,” I admit. “Now that he’s not hitting on you.” “I can’t believe you fired him.” “I didn’t like the way he looked at you.” “How’d he look at me?” “Like he wanted what was mine.” “Yours, huh?”

“You’re right. You and I aren’t going anywhere so it’s better to end things now,” I say then slide off the bar stool. “Everly.” He stands and calls after me. I feel the sting in the back of my eyes, but I absolutely will not let myself cry. He moves in front of me, grasping my arms just below the elbow. “Don’t do this. You’re wrong. Lots of people care about you and want you here.” “People like you?” I ask. He doesn’t answer. “That’s what I thought.” I stare up at his handsome face, ignoring the pull I have to ease the worry lines there. “Bye, Jack.”

“The fans are ready too. Thanks for chatting with me, Jack. Care to give a shout out to all the medical staff and coaches that put up with you while you weren’t so easy to be around?” He grins as he uses Jack’s words.

“A lot of people helped me get back here, but there is one person in particular who gave me a kick in the butt when I needed it most. It’s safe to say she saved me.” I think I stop breathing as his words register. The reporter is grinning wide. “It sounds like we all should be indebted to this person then. Care to thank her by name?” Jack shakes his head but lifts his chin ever so slightly so I can see his eyes. He glances sideways toward the camera as he says, “No. I think I’ll keep that to myself, but she knows who she is. Thank you.”

He’s already gone before the statement hits and another small laugh leaves my lips. But the longer I think on it, the more I miss Everly and wish I had an answer. A part of me knows Coach is right. I don’t let people in beyond a certain point. Maybe it’s a reaction to my childhood or the effects of being driven to succeed, but whatever the reason, I have kept my personal life simple. Or I did before Everly. Now that she’s gone, I feel empty. Falling back into my old routine isn’t really an option. I don’t want to date other women, but I don’t want to be this guy who keeps everyone at arm’s length either. I just want her. And I have no idea what to do about it.

“I meant what I said earlier. I miss you. Seeing you every day, talking, hanging out, having you in my space, all of it. Nothing feels right anymore without you.”

“So if you hadn’t decided you wanted to date her, you would have just fucked her and never told me?” “No,” I say, then, “Maybe. I don’t know. The point is⁠—” The rest of the sentence dies off as Charlotte pulls the hockey stick back and then hits me in the balls with it. “Oh shit,” Ty says as I crumple forward and breathe through the pain. He takes the hockey stick in one hand and picks up Charlotte with the other. I manage to stand, but the pain is still like a fire in my gut. “Saves me having to do it, I guess,” Tyler says. The anger in his expression has morphed slightly. I wouldn’t say he looks happy but less like he’s going to let his daughter hit me again.

I let out a slow breath and relax a fraction. We stand and I start to smile at him, but then he whips the hockey stick toward me, pointing directly at my nuts. I cover them instinctively with both hands. “If you hurt her⁠—” I don’t let him finish the threat. “I won’t.”

“Yeah. I got this.” I take a step onto the coffee table. “Excuse me, everyone.” Maverick is manning the music and when I give him a nod, he turns it down. That gets everyone’s attention. “Sorry to interrupt. I have an announcement.”

“Jack and I are sleeping together.”

“Fuck me,” Jack mutters quietly next to me. I place a hand on his shoulder. “That’s right. We’re having sex. Hopefully, a lot of it.” “Ev,” Ty says and rubs his forehead with two fingers. “In case you all didn’t realize it, I’m not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself,” I say. “I don’t care. If he breaks your heart, I’m kicking his ass,” Declan says. “Fine. If he breaks my heart, then you can all kick his ass, but only after I do.” I see Ash’s shoulders shake with laughter and Declan nods. I glance at my brother for his reaction. “Cheers to that,” Tyler says with a small smile I know is for my benefit.

“What about if you break my heart?” he asks, wrapping his arms around my back.

“Anyway. I just came over to say I’m happy for you.” The words sound strained. I fight a laugh because I can see how hard this is for Ty, and I love him for trying. “Thank you.” I hug him and kiss him on the cheek. “I’m heading home but call if you need anything.” His stare shifts to Jack. “Or if you need help hiding a body.” I roll my eyes. “Brunch tomorrow before I go back?” “Yeah, I’d love that.” His shoulders relax and I get a glimpse of the old Ty underneath his protectiveness. “Great. Oh, and I’m bringing my boyfriend.” I lean my head over to rest against Jack’s shoulder. Tyler’s mouth pulls into a smile that somehow looks like a frown, but he doesn’t object. “You’re going to get me killed,” Jack says when Tyler is gone.

“All my work feels completely irrelevant now. I’ll never know if it sold because I did a good job or because you’re too selfish to not interfere. Don’t you understand?” I ask quietly. He brings a hand up and brushes his knuckles along one side of my neck then drops his hand back to his side. “I wanted to have a place here in case this is where you end up. You love that house and I love it too. I’m not just blowing smoke when I tell you that you’re talented. You make everything feel like home. So yeah, I bought it and I’m sorry if that was crossing a line, but I didn’t do it so you could keep your job. I did it in hopes I get to keep you.” My frustration dissipates as he scans my face, waiting for my reaction. Worry lines bracket his mouth and he looks so devastatingly nervous that he’s fucked up. “You are very frustrating,” I say, then press my lips to his.

“Somewhere to be?” He’s so handsome all sleepy-eyed and hair disheveled. My stare rakes over him. “Eyes up here, temptress. We don’t have time to do what you’re thinking.” “How do you know what I’m thinking?” I ask, not moving from the bed even as he picks up his clothes and moves around my room frantically. “Because I’m thinking it too.” He stops and comes over to drop a kiss on my mouth.

“I would do anything for you,” I confirm. “I would have before, but now…” She waits for me to finish the sentence. “I am in love with you.” Whatever she expected me to say, it’s clear that wasn’t it. My heart pounds in my chest. I have never said those words to anyone. “I don’t expect you to say it back now or maybe ever, but for as long as you want me, I’m yours, Ev.”

She sighs audibly and then brings her mouth to mine. Her soft lips rest there, and we breathe each other in. “I love you too.”

“You’re crazy,” she says with a small laugh. “About you. Yes.” She still wears a melancholy expression that makes me want to say fuck it to hockey and the team.

She lets her head fall to the left so she can look me in the eye as she says, “I love you.” “I love you too.”

“Her taste in books?” He studies me for a moment like he’s trying to decide how much to share with me. “She sends me books,” he says. I’m still struggling to understand when he adds, “Every couple of weeks or so she sends another book. She writes little notes in the margins for me.” “Everly, my Everly, sends you books?” He nods. “I don’t understand.”

“Me either, but sometimes people do things that don’t make sense. They love us when we don’t deserve it or give an old drunk thoughtful gifts to keep him occupied, maybe hoping he’ll drink a little less.” My chest tightens. “I didn’t know.” “I figured as much. She isn’t the type to want credit for doing something nice and she probably thought there was a chance you wouldn’t approve.” “Do you read them?” I ask, still stuck on the idea that Everly, who only met my dad once, has been sending him books like they’re old friends. “Oh yeah. I read them and send them back, adding my own notes in the margins. I send her some too.” “The Grisham novel at her apartment,” I say, remembering the book that had looked familiar to me.

“Hi,” she says, sounding more shy than I’ve ever heard her as she glances at me and then my dad. “Hey, pretty girl.” Dad grins at her. She hands off the food with a kiss and then steps to his bedside. “How are you?” “Old and too sober to feel this shitty.” She laughs, and then he does too. “Jackie boy knows your secret.” He tips his head to me. Ev blushes but focuses on Dad instead of me. “I brought a new book for you.” “Another bodice ripper?” He lifts one brow. “It’s one chili pepper at best.”

“Why can’t they be the same? I get paid to play hockey.” And it never freaking gets old. “What do you want? What makes you happy?” “I want to be here. I want to watch my nieces grow up and be the fun aunt that babysits and gets to be a part of their daily life, not someone who sweeps in on holidays and an occasional weekend. And I want to go to lunches with Bridget and Grace. Go to every home hockey game and celebrate after at Wild’s. I want to be here with you. This place, you, Ty, Piper, the team, and everyone else, you guys are my home.” My chest tightens with the weight and sincerity of her words. “I get that.”

“If you’re happy, then I’m happy.” “Really? You’re not just saying that?” “Where’s all this coming from?” he asks. “If I’ve ever given you the impression that I wasn’t proud of you, then I’m so sorry, Ev. I worry about you, but you’re my baby sister. I’m always going to worry about you.” “You have your own family to worry about now. I’m okay. I’m all grown-up.” One side of his mouth quirks up. “I guess sometimes I forget you aren’t seventeen anymore. You’ve turned out to be a pretty badass woman.” My cheeks warm with the compliment. “Thanks to you.”