Page 48 of Penalty Kill

“We just don’t want you involved with another woman who causes drama and heartache for you. You barely survived Olivia. You don’t need to go through something like that again,” Hartman said in what I assumed he thought was a diplomatic manner.

“I can’t believe you guys. I’ve supported each of you. Olli, when you had your accident and turned into a monster, I was there. Reese, I welcomed you onto the team and made sure you didn’t give up on Chloe.” I turned to my captain. “And you. I’ve been on this team for thirteen years. I’ve supported you and stood up for you through it all. How can you guys not have the same respect for me now?”

I was generally a pretty calm person, but my blood was boiling.

The three of them shared a look. Another knock sounded and Olli got up and brought in bags of food. He set them on the table and started unloading like I hadn’t just lost my temper.

“Seriously, guys?” I shouted.

Reese smirked, and I nearly punched it off his face. “We were just checking.”

“He’s in love,” Olli called from the other side of the suite.

“I knew it,” Hartman said. He stood and clapped me on the shoulder as he passed.

“What? What are you guys talking about?”

“We just wanted to make sure you were serious about this girl,” Olli said with a shrug.

“And we wanted to see if you knew how you felt about her.” Reese relaxed against the couch, looking much too cocky.

“So that was some twisted reverse psychology crap?” I got to my feet and paced.

“It worked, didn’t it?” Hartman asked.

Well, they certainly got a reaction out of me. Of course, my first instinct was to defend and protect Sydney. She was amazing and selfless and had done nothing to deserve the negative attention she was receiving. That didn’t mean I loved her.

I mean, a crush sure. She was beautiful. Funny. Confident. And she loved the boys so much. How could I not be attracted to her?

That wasn’t the same thing as wanting a relationship.

We were dabbling with flirting, and there was that almost-kiss, but I couldn't risk driving her away. She was too important to Milo and Finn. I couldn’t mess that up.

“I’m not in love.” I paused. “I can’t be.”

The three of them stopped what they were doing to stare at me.

“What pathetic excuses are you coming up with?” Reese asked.

I glared at him.

“Tell us,” he prodded.

“She’s there for the boys. Not me. She loves them and they love her. I can’t do anything to ruin that. They’ve been so much better with her there. They’re happier, calmer, progressing again. I can’t risk that.”

Hartman nodded. “You’re right. Things are good right now. It’s better not to mess them up.”

“And she’s off-limits,” Reese added.

“The boys’ happiness comes first, of course. They would be devastated if things did work out and Sydney was a permanent part of their lives. It’s better to just stay away,” Olli finished.

I glared back at them. “I know what you’re doing.”

“Just throwing some advice back in your face.” Reese smiled.

Even though I had a terrible marriage and didn’t find my person with Olivia, I still believed in love. I’d convinced Hartman it was okay to open himself up to Kendall and let her in. He thought he had to stay completely focused in order to be a good captain. He sacrificed everything in his personal life to make sure he didn’t let anything slip on the ice. I told him to take a chance.

Reese beat himself up over his growing attraction to Chloe. Not only did she work in the front office, but she was Erik’s sister. I told him to fight for her. That it was worth it.