Forever Wild (Wildcat Hockey Book 5)

EVERLY

Jack and I walk up to the house hand in hand. Nerves bounce around in my stomach and he squeezes my fingers reassuringly.

“It’s going to be fine,” he assures me before opening the door.

I plaster on a smile as we walk in. It’s our first outing as a couple. Jack told Tyler, and I gave Bridget permission to share with Ash and it snowballed from there.

My brother has said very little on the subject. When I stopped by his house this morning before the game, he gave me an awkward talk that was reminiscent of the safe sex conversations Mom used to try to have with me.

I reassured him we were all good and then he muttered something about killing Jack if he hurts me. I know he’s just being a protective big brother, but I don’t need him to be that. Not with Jack. He seemed more relaxed by the time I left, but two seconds inside the party and I realize it’s not just Tyler that’s ready to throw down for me.

“Everyone is staring at us,” I say.

“Must be because we’re so sexy,” he says, trying to joke it off, but the way he’s holding his jaw so tight gives away his discomfort with the situation. “Let’s grab a drink.”

We head into Ash’s kitchen. He gets a beer and I grab a hard seltzer.

“Hey,” Bridget comes over to hug me. When she pulls back, she glances up at Jack standing right behind me. “I’d threaten you, but it seems you’re already getting enough of that.”

Jack’s laugh vibrates against my back. I lean into him. “Why is everyone acting all weird?”

“They care about you. Both of you.”

Scarlett joins in. “And you have been at each other’s throats for years. We’re not sure if all that animosity has made you the best couple we know or the worst.”

I snort a laugh and Jack’s hand rubs down my arm.

“To be determined,” I say, and he growls quietly, then kisses my neck.

When I look back up, Bridget and Scarlett are watching us with matching grins that make my skin feel tight. It takes only a quick scan of the room to see that all eyes are on us.

We spend the next few minutes trying to blend in, making small talk and hanging out with our friends. But there’s a nervous energy with everyone we talk to and even when they’re being nice, it feels forced, like they don’t know how to act around us.

“I knew I should have just kept you to myself tonight. This party sucks,” he says, trying again to make light of the situation. “Do you want to go?”

“No.” I shake my head.

“Are you sure?”

“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.”

All eyes are on me. They still have those nervous, worried expressions that make me feel like a kid, but I’m not and I want them to know it. “Jack and I are sleeping together.”

There’s a chorus of groans around the room. If they didn’t want to hear about my sex life, they shouldn’t have put their noses in it.

“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. The room seems to relax and I breathe a sigh of relief. I love these guys, but they can be a little too much.

I motion to Maverick to turn the music back up and step down in front of Jack.

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

“I guess you’ll have to grow out your Barnaby beard again and find some new girl to make me jealous. I really wanted you to rub that beard all over my body.”

His eyes darken. “Is that so?”

“Yeah. Something about it really did it for me.”

“I got something else I could rub all over your body.”

Ty steps up, wincing and covering his ears. “I did not need to hear that.”

Jack laughs.

“Sorry man,” Jack says as he moves to stand next to me, his right arm draped around my waist and thumb tucked into the hem of my jeans. Tyler takes it all in but doesn’t say anything about it. To be fair, he’s never really liked any of the guys I’ve dated so it’s not shocking that he’s struggling with me dating his team captain.

“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.

“No,” I insist. “Just possibly whacked in the balls again with a hockey stick.”

“That fucking hurt.”

“Yo!” Ash appears and places himself between us. “Are you two up for some flip cup?”

“I think we’re going to head out,” I say.

Jack’s brows lift slightly.

“Already? You just got here.” Ash’s confused expression morphs into a grin. “I got you. You two are going to be one of those couples?”

“You mean the kind that leave parties early to have sex?” I ask.

He winces.

“Like you and Bridget are any better,” I say.

“Fine.” He grins. “But when you come up for air, let’s hang. Miss you, Little Sharpie.”

We stay at the party for a little while longer, despite my trying to get us out of there. The girls corner me so they can grill me for information, then Declan and Leo check in on me. Usually, I’d be happy to catch up with them, but it’s been a week since Jack and I have been alone and I’m anxious to have him all to myself.

My pulse races as we walk down the street from Ash’s place to Jack’s. He picks me up when we get inside his house and carries me into his room, depositing me on the bed.

“I have something for you,” he says.

I eye his crotch and the bulge there.

“Not that.” He grins, then reaches into his top dresser drawer and tosses something at me. I unfold it and hold the jersey out in front of me. It has his name and number on the back, but it looks different than the ones they wear in games.

“That was my first ever practice jersey with the team. I was a little smaller then, but it’s probably still too big for you to wear.”

I stare at him, a little taken back by the gift. “I was expecting something over the top. This is…” My throat tightens with emotion.

“Dumb. I know, but you said you wanted me to be more like a regular boyfriend.” He shrugs.

“No, I love it.” My heart squeezes. “You gave me a one-of-a-kind Jack Wyld jersey.” I laugh. Even when he’s trying to be like other guys, he’s so much more.

“You couldn’t be like other boyfriends if you tried.”