Power Play (Noah Sebastian Hockey AU)

Part 6

We watch with bated breath as Noah crumples to his hands and knees on the icy rink, his body curling in on itself as he writhes in pain. The crowd falls into a hushed silence and the other players come to a standstill, their sticks and skates frozen in place as all eyes focus on the fallen player. I feel my body tense, ready to hurdle over the wall and rush to Noah's aid, but a stern glance from my father and Jack roots me in place. I know I must wait, though every fiber of my being strains to run to him.

Noah's back arches, his face twisted into a grimace beneath his helmet. Then, mustering his strength, he begins to push himself up, first to one knee, then steadily to both feet as a cheer erupts from the stands. The crowd claps and shouts encouragement as Noah skates in a shaky loop, waving to let everyone know he's alright, though one arm hangs limp at his side. His teammate Anthony takes his place on the ice, and the game resumes its frenetic pace as Noah makes his way off the rink. I grab my medical bag and follow close behind, knowing his pride has taken a bigger blow than his body.

"Don't need your help." Was all he said as we pushed through the locker room doors. Noah's gruff demeanor was apparent as he grumbled angrily and tossed his hockey stick across the locker room in frustration. Ripping at the gloves on his hands, he started aggressively tearing off his helmet as well, desperate to rid himself of his equipment.

When I tried to explain that protocol mandated he undergo a medical exam after such a dangerous collision, he sneered sarcastically back at me, "No, I thought it was a love tap."

Whipping the sweat-soaked jersey off his muscular torso, he slammed it angrily into his locker space and began roughly yanking off his bulky pads. I closed the space between us and tried to help relieve him of the cumbersome protective gear weighing down his shoulders. But he brusquely pushed my hands away with his elbow, bucking his arm up in defiance.

"No need to be a dick, Sebastian," I admonished sharply. When he continued resisting, I put my foot down, "Knock it off, Noah. You're benched."

He turned on his heel, pads and jersey gone, tattooed sweaty torso out on display his pecs rising and falling with each breath. I felt myself swallow down the lump in my throat, trying to look anywhere but him.

"You can't bench me, you're just a nurse," he sneered looking down at me with a power I'd never seen before.

"No, but I can strongly recommend," I tried to keep my voice steady, no stammering, not now. I knew if I showed any weakness, he would pounce.

"Oh that's right, you got daddy to run too," he jarred his lip curling at the words, and suddenly I felt like an arrow had been shot right through my chest. "You gonna tell him about us, maybe he will have me benched for the season."

"Don't you put that on me, Sebastian! How many teammates did you tell?" I felt the tears burn my eyes, the pressure in my face too much. I'd been burned by players before - they were all the same, with their lewd bets in the locker room that I knew all too well. Who could seduce the coach's daughter first? How many guys on the team could she be coerced into sleeping with? How much alcohol could they sneak without the coach finding out? I'd heard it all before, their objectification and scheming.

"How many more did you brag too? How many want a piece, huh?" I can see his face soften but I don't break. The harsh words stung as they left my lips, his eyes narrowing as he took in all I was saying. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I struggled to hold his piercing gaze.

I yearned to run away, to escape the sudden intensity of emotions flooding through me. I pivoted on my foot, ready to grab my bag and flee this charged encounter. But before I could, he grasped my upper arm tightly, spinning me back around to face him. In one swift motion he pulled me against his firm body, effortlessly lifting me until my legs wrapped around his waist. He carried me the few steps to the bench in front of his locker, sitting down with my legs straddling his lap. We were locked together, his strong arms keeping me from escaping as his eyes searched mine. I was cornered, forced to confront what I had been trying to avoid. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and there was no more running away. We would have to deal with the fallout of our actions, together.