Page 18 of The Defenseman

“Don’t touch her like that,” Eric demanded, getting between Alexa and her brother and forcibly removing Dan’s hand from her wrist.

“Excuse me?” Dan asked. He seemed shocked Eric would dare to speak to him in such a way.

“You heard me,” Eric said. Alexa couldn’t see him because his back was facing her but he was sure his eyes were narrowed and steely. She could see his body tense, the way his skin stretched across his muscles every time he moved made Alexa think of what they had done last night—what they could still be doing if Dan hadn’t interrupted them.

“She’s my sister,” Dan said, “and if I don’t want her anywhere near you—"

“You don’t get to make those decisions, do you?” Eric said. “Alexa does.”

“I expected more from you.”

Alexa blinked. Even though Eric was positioning himself in front of her in order to keep Alexa protected from Dan, she knew he was talking to her. She stiffened and released a breath.

“You know Eric’s reputation. You know he doesn’t give a shit about the girls he’s with. You know all of these things, and yet, you don’t care. You still decide to sleep with him like some slut who wants attention from a big-time hockey player—"

Before Alexa even realized what was happening, Eric stalked towards Dan and socked him in the face. Alexa immediately sprang into action, dashing around Eric in order to come between the two. She knew Dan well enough to know that he wasn’t afraid to hit back. Even as a goalie, Dan had no problem interjecting himself into a fight if he felt he needed to stick up for himself or for a teammate. He was the goalie with the most penalty minutes in the entire NHL, which he regarded as some sort of accomplishment.

“Dan,” Alexa said, her voice firm. Her arms were thrust out at both men, trying to keep them apart. She knew if they really wanted to, they could have moved her aside easily but she hoped they would at least keep away from each other. The last thing she wanted was to be the reason two best friends, two teammates, were at odds with each other.

“What?”

“I don’t remember telling you who I was sleeping with or asking you to criticize me for it,” Alexa said. She was surprised by the firmness in her voice, by the fact that she was able to look Dan in the eye without flinching or looking away. “I don’t remember it ever being your business. I don’t remember casting the same judgments on you and who you sleep with. Or calling you a slut for sleeping with easy women who just want to get close to an NHL player.”

Dan shifted his weight, his face still tense. “It’s different,” he muttered.

“It’s not, and you know it,” she snapped. “Don’t be a hypocrite. I’m a consenting adult. I’m allowed to have sex with whomever I want. Neither you, nor anyone else, can stop me.”

“But with Eric?” Dan asked, furrowing his brow. Alexa bristled at the judgmental look on his face. “You’ve been around me long enough to know the type of person he is, Alexa. Come on. Even you aren’t that stupid.”

“Tell me, Dan. What kind of person is he, then? Please let me know.”

“He doesn’t love you,” Dan said.

“I didn’t ask,” Alexa returned almost immediately. “He doesn’t have to love me. That’s not what this is about.”

“Then what’s it about?”

“It’s none of your business,” Alexa repeated. “I know you think you’re protecting me from being hurt, but it wasn’t like Eric seduced me. I came to him. I asked for this.”

“But…why?”

“You wouldn’t understand, and again, I don’t have to explain myself to you,” Alexa said. She crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes at her brother. “I can understand you being shocked and maybe a little hurt. I get it. But I’m not sorry. I don’t regret what happened between Eric and I at all. If you think that makes me a slut, if you think me wanting to sleep with him makes me easy, fine. I can’t change your perception. I can’t change your thoughts. But that doesn’t mean you get to stroll in here, into Eric’s place, and start calling us names. That’s not how this works.”

Dan sighed, looking away. Before he did, Alexa noticed a flash of regret in them.

Good.

He should regret his behavior. It was despicable.

“I just…” He picked up his eyes so they locked with hers. “I don’t want to see you get hurt. And I know that Eric will hurt you.”

Eric opened his mouth, ready to defend himself, but Alexa took his hand in hers and squeezed. She wanted to be the one to take care of this. Eric might make things worse—and for good reason.

“What happens between Eric and me is a risk we both are willing to take,” Alexa pointed out. “At the end of the day, we haven’t actually talked about the future. We don’t know what we’re planning to do just yet. And for you to make assumptions based on what you think you know… That’s not fair, Dan. Unless you want me to start doing the same thing to you.”

Dan looked away again.

“Now, I think the two of you need to talk,” Alexa said. “Or, at least, figure out your friendship. The last thing I want to do is come between you guys. So, I’m going to go.”

“Alexa, you don’t have to go,” Eric murmured.

Alexa closed her eyes, enjoying the way the words washed over her. She released a contented sigh and smiled.

“I know,” she said, “but I should. We can talk later. I just want to make sure you and Dan are okay.”

She disappeared in Eric’s bedroom, quickly got dressed, and left before either man could say another word to her. The minute she was safely in her car, her strength disappeared and she allowed herself the time to break down.