Puck, Pain & Promises

CHAPTER 6: Team Party

Jax...

“Keep your hand on me the whole time,”

I said, pulling Eden closer as we walked into the crowded team house. Music thumped loud from the speakers. Lights were low. Bodies packed every corner. “They need to believe you’re mine.”

Eden nodded, her fingers tightening on my arm. She looked hot tonight, tight jeans and a top that showed just enough skin. Fake or not, I liked having her next to me. Too much.

The party was in full swing. My teammates shouted my name when they saw us. Tristan clapped me on the back with a grin. “Finally brought your girl out, Captain. About time.”

I smirked and tugged Eden tighter against my side. My hand rested low on her hip, fingers spread possessively. “Yeah. She’s with me now.”

She played along, smiling up at me like we were real. But I felt the tension in her body. After everything with Riley and Brooke, this had to feel weird as hell. Still, she stayed close. Good girl. That people-pleasing side of hers was useful tonight.

We moved through the crowd. I grabbed drinks for us, beer for me, something sweeter for her. People watched us. Whispers followed. Perfect. The whole campus needed to see Jax Callahan settled down with the smart, pretty girl. It helped my image. Helped keep Coach off my back.

I leaned down, lips brushing her ear. “You’re doing good. Relax a little.”

“I’m trying,”

she whispered back. Her breath tickled my skin. That spark hit me again, the same one from the locker room. I wanted to drag her somewhere private already.

We found a spot near the kitchen counter. I kept her in front of me, arms around her waist, chin on her shoulder as we talked to a few guys from the team. My hands couldn’t stay still. I stroked her stomach through her shirt, feeling the way she shivered. Mine. At least for show.

Everything felt right until Riley walked in.

He strolled through the door like he owned the place, Brooke on his arm. Laughing. Touching her like he hadn’t just destroyed Eden days ago. My blood turned hot instantly.

Eden stiffened against me. I felt it in every muscle.

“Easy,”

I muttered, but my grip on her tightened. Jealousy exploded in my chest like fire. Not just fake jealousy for the image. Real. Burning. The thought of him anywhere near her made me want to smash something.

Riley’s eyes found us across the room. His smirk faltered for a second when he saw Eden with me, then came back twice as ugly. He whispered something to Brooke. They both laughed.

I growled under my breath.

I turned Eden in my arms, cupping her face so she looked only at me.

“Don’t look at him. He doesn’t exist anymore.”

“But he’s staring,” she said softly. Her eyes showed the hurt she tried to hide. That people-pleasing part probably wanted to smooth things over even now.

“I don’t give a sh*t.”

My voice came out rough. I kissed her hard, right there in front of everyone. Claiming her. My tongue pushed past her lips, tasting her, reminding myself she was here with me. Not him. The kiss got deeper than I planned. She melted into it, hands fisting my shirt. Good. Let Riley watch.

When I pulled back, Riley was pushing through the crowd toward us.

“Eden,” he called out. “Can we talk?”

Jealousy roared louder. I stepped in front of her, chest bumping his. “She’s not talking to you. Walk away.”

Riley sneered. “What, you think you can just take my leftovers and play hero? Everyone knows you’re one fight from being done, Callahan. Suspension’s coming.”

My fists clenched. The fear of becoming my old man flashed hot, drunk, yelling, useless. Losing everything.

I wanted to swing. Bad. But Eden’s hand touched my back, soft and grounding. I held it together.

“Touch her or talk to her again and I end you,” I said low enough only he could hear. “She’s mine now.”

Riley laughed but backed off when a couple teammates stepped closer. He grabbed Brooke and disappeared into the crowd, but the damage was done. Rage still pumped through me.

I grabbed Eden’s hand and pulled her away from the main room, down a quieter hallway off the living area. The music faded a little. Dim lights. Fewer people.

“Jax, wait…” she started.

I didn’t wait. I pinned her against the wall, body pressing into hers. My hands gripped her hips hard. “He doesn’t get to look at you. Doesn’t get to talk to you. You’re with me.”

My mouth crashed down on hers again. This kiss was rougher. Hungrier. I ground my hips against her, letting her feel how hard I was. She gasped into my mouth. Her hands slid up my chest, then around my neck. She kissed me back, matching my heat.

“Jax…” she breathed when I moved to her neck, sucking on her skin.

I rocked against her, slow and dirty, the friction driving me crazy. Her body fit perfect against mine. Soft where I was hard. I slipped one thigh between her legs, pressing up. She moaned quietly, the sound going straight to my c*ck.

This was supposed to be fake. But right now it didn’t feel fake. It felt real. Too real.

I pulled back just enough to look at her flushed face. My breathing was ragged.

“You have no idea what you do to me.”

Her eyes were wide, lips swollen. She looked wrecked already. Beautiful.

I rested my forehead against hers. The jealousy still simmered, but something else pushed through. Vulnerability I never showed anyone.

“My dad,” I said quietly, voice rough. “He lost everything. One bad season. Started drinking. Yelling at my mom until she left. I swore I’d never be like him. Always angry. Always f*ck*ng up. But every time I see Riley near you… it feels like I’m one step away from losing control. From becoming him.”

The words hung heavy between us. I had never admitted that sh*t out loud. Not to anyone. But with her pinned under me, bodies pressed tight, it slipped out.

Eden’s hand came up to my cheek. Her touch was soft. Too soft for someone like me.

Before she could respond, my phone vibrated hard in my pocket. I ignored it at first, but it went off again. Then hers buzzed too.

I pulled back slightly and checked the screen.

The message made my jaw lock tight.

It was from an unknown number.

Tell your new toy the truth about why you really picked her. Or we will.