Page 169 of The Pucking Coach's Daughter
“After the fight, one of the other guys brought Bear home. His mask was still in his car, so I took it.” He frowns. “I should’ve just left it alone.”
“Yeah.”
“And then Carter punched me in the face and I saw you.” His fingers draw a pattern on my knee. “I knew you told him something about us. Or me. Maybe even my family.”
Well, I did.
“I deserved today,” he says. “I deserved everything I got—every way you made me feel. I understand?—”
“You understand only a fraction.” I push him back and hop off the counter. “You do not know what it feels like to be a woman. You worry about stupid shit, while we always worry about rape. Always looking over our shoulders. Always afraid. I live in fear, Oliver. Every woman knows exactly how vulnerable we are. Throwing it in my face not once but twice…”
He runs his hands down his face. “Puta madre. You’re right. How can I say sorry enough for you to believe me?” He steps away from me. “I’m going to walk out that door, and I swear, I’ll never bother you again. And hopefully that can ease your conscience a little. Help you heal.”
I follow him to the doorway of the bathroom, but he keeps going. I don’t know what to say, but I’m not sure I want him to go. Not after what happened in Carter’s room. Not after that apology…
My mouth opens and closes, but no words come out.
He yanks open the door and strides into the hallway.
The door shuts behind him.
I move farther into the room, my emotions swinging wildly from fear to anguish. The dark of nothingness, of numbness, is so tempting. But when Penn cups my cheeks, lifting my head so I have to meet his gaze, I realize I don’t want to go back there.
Not yet.
I grip his wrists, and tears flood my eyes. “Please don’t leave me.”
“Never,” he promises.
“You mean that?” Carter asks from behind him. “That you’re never going to leave her?”
Penn glances back. “I’m confident that after she’s had her fill of you, she’ll choose me.”
Carter scoffs.
“Stop.” I move around Penn, standing between them. “What if I can’t choose?”
They pause.
“What if I can’t? What if I want both of you, or…” I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
I was going to say something crazy—like, what if I want all three of you? But that’s now impossible since Oliver just walked out without a backward glance.
“Stay with me,” I implore them.
They both nod.
And I don’t know how that kind of relationship would work, but this is a start.
“Where did he go?” Carter asks.
“Away. I don’t know.”
I climb into bed, so done with today. Penn crawls over me, taking the far side, and Carter lies on his side facing me.
“We’re calling room service, okay? I won’t make you go out in public tonight.” He touches my lower lip, swiping his thumb across it. “I have an early flight tomorrow, dream girl. You can come back with me if you want.”
I lift one shoulder.