Page 35 of My One & Goalie
“Rachel, I’m so sorry.”
“About what?”
Shoving my cell at her, I click on one of the articles Rick sent me. “I didn’t mean for you to get dragged into my drama.” I scrub the back of my neck, ashamed.
“Oh.” Her mouth forms a pink ‘O’ as she flips through the articles, her frown deepening with each passing second.
I slam my hand into my pocket, anger rolling through my veins. I want to punch something, every muscle tight and ready for action. Instead, I take a deep breath and clench my jaw, waiting for her to say something.
“I already saw this one.” Her voice is quiet.
“What?” My head pops up. “What do you mean? When?”
“Last night. Charles showed me the article in the local paper.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me. We made the local paper? Shit.” I run my hand through my hair, trying to figure out what to do next. I doubt Jackson’s going to be real thrilled about this turn of events, either. He may even ask me to step down from the coaching position.
So much for staying out of trouble.
“Yeah. Not great. Charles sang his same old tired song, threatening to take me back to court.”
“Why?”
Color creeps up her neck, and she looks away, not meeting my eyes.
“He accused me of whoring around.”
“That bastard.” I bite out the words, my fists balled. Now I really am jumpy and itching to fight. One asshole in particular. “He didn’t touch you, did he?”
She gnaws at her lip, and I know instantly that he hurt her.
That skinny little asshole hurt my woman.
And now he’s going to have to answer to me.
I grab her hands. “Tell me, Rachel. Please. What did he do?”
Her lower lip quivers and tears shimmer in her hazel eyes.
“It’s nothing, Xander. Forget it.”
“Rachel.” I gently tip her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. “It’s not nothing. He shouldn’t be physical with you. Ever. Now tell me—what did he do?”
She sighs, rolling up her sleeve to reveal dark bruises spotting her forearm. Rage surges through me, the type of fiery anger that sends me to the penalty box when I’m out on the ice.
“That fucker.” I brush my thumb over the purple skin and she flinches. He really hurt her. “Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Xander. He has a bad temper. Always has. But this isn’t your fight. It’s mine.”
“Bullshit. We talked about this already. I will do whatever it takes to protect you. Do you want to file a police report?”
“For what? A few bruises on my arm? Charles will lie and say he had nothing to do with it.”
Resolve settles deep in my chest. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Xander, no.” Rachel’s small hand flutters to my pecs, hovering over my pounding heart. “Please don’t get involved. I don’t want this to ruin your chances of getting back on the team.”
“It won’t. But that asshole’s never going to touch you again. Not if he knows what’s good for him.”