Page 23 of The Enemy Plot
“Max,” I hiss, but there’s no stopping these two.
Mark’s mouth tilts into a malicious smile. “I plan to do a lot more to her than that.”
Okay. Now Max has my permission to knock his teeth out. What’s wrong with this dude?
Max’s fist connects with Mark in a loud thud, and just when he’s about to retaliate, the bar door swings open.
“What’s going on here?” Deacon booms.
“Crain’s running his mouth about Alice,” Aaron says, as if he’s talking to one of his buddies. I know they’ve been spending time at the bar, since it’s so close to the shop and the café, but what on earth is happening here? “He was on a date with her.”
Deacon’s eyes turn into slits, and he shoots Mark a death stare. “If you don’t want to end your night on a stretcher, get out of here.”
“What, you got a thing for her too?” Mark smirks.
Deacon grabs Mark by the collar. “Don’t make me say it again.”
You’d think witnessing a bar owner threatening a hockey player wouldn’t be that scary, but you’re not seeing the look of determination burning in Deacon’s eyes. Even Mike Tyson would run for his life at this point. Plus, half the Raptors are here, and Mark is a lone Shark tonight.
He glances at me, and I take a step toward my brother’s teammates. Then, stealing one last glare at Deacon and my brother, he scoffs and stomps away.
A sea of shoulders sag in relief, and I almost crumble to the floor. Deacon throws me a look I can’t quite decipher, a mix of anger and disappointment, far from the limited expressions I’ve seen him wear before. But I don’t have time to process it, because I have to endure ten minutes of my brother’s wrath in a dizzying mix of French and English while the rest of the players go back inside fordrinks. The search for my true match is getting a little out of hand. Maybe I should quit dating for a while.
Finally, he goes back inside, and just when I’m about to head home, Hayley and Marissa come out, each of them hugging me in turn.
“Sorry about that. Are you okay?” Hayley asks, squeezing my hand.
I shake my head. “I’m fine. To tell the truth, I didn’t even like the guy. And he absolutely deserved that punch.”
We all laugh.
“Bold move dating a Shark,” Marissa says, shaking her strawberry-blonde hair. “Even I wouldn't dare. Well, I don’t date hockey players, period, no matter which team they play for.”
“Really?” Hayley frowns, looking at her. “I thought you and Aaron . . .”
I can see why Hayley would think that. Aaron spends half his time at the café, and they always bicker like an old couple.
Marissa snorts. “Miles is my best friend. We grew up together, so he’s pretty much my brother. Plus, my dad is his coach, so . . .” She chuckles.
“Right, off-limits.”
She bites her lip. “Exactly.”
Hayley throws me a look that tells me she doesn’t believe a word of that “best friend” spiel either, but we’ve had enough emotion for one night. I suck in a quick breath. “Anyway, I swear I didn’t know he was a Shark. I only found out he played once we were on our date, and that’s when I lost all interest.”
Hayley and Marissa puff out a laugh.
“You almost gave the guys a heart attack, bringing him here,” Marissa says between giggles. “And Deacon’s face! That was epic.”
I press my lips together. “Yeah, I don’t know why he stepped in like that. He’s not even on the team.”
Marissa shrugs. “He’s kind of running a Raptor bar now, so I guess it makes sense.”
“Right.” I swallow, trying to bury the part of me that hoped Deacon was defending my honor because he cared. “Well, I think I’ll call it a night, let you get back inside.”
“Why don’t you join us?” Hayley glances over her shoulder to peer through the window. “Max is already back to his usual happy self.”
I grimace. “I don’t know. It’s kind of weird now.”