Tyler winced, the pain of his cut mouth morphing from dull throb to sharp stabbing as soon as Jenny touched the antiseptic wipe to it. She pulled her hand away, frowned, then touched it to the corner of his mouth once more.

"Does it hurt?"

"No."

"Liar. It should."

"It doesn't." Which wasn't exactly a lie. It was more like stretching the truth—just a little. But he took the wipe from Jenny's hand anyway, just so she'd quit making it worse. He swabbed it across his lower lip then balled it up and threw it in the small trash bag hanging from the back of the passenger seat.

They were sitting in his car in the parking lot outside of Mystic's. A handful of the guys were already inside. A few, like Harland, had gone home. A few more would straggle in here and there over the next hour. There was no rush for them to get inside—but he could feel Jenny's anxiety and nervousness in every little move she made. In the way she squirmed in the seat. In the way her glance darted to the front door of Mystic's then scanned the parking lot. In the way she twisted her hands together in her lap.

Tyler reached over and grabbed one of those hands, surprised at the way her fingers shook in his grasp.

"Nervous?"

Her head twisted to the side, her eyes wide with surprise. "No. Why?"

"Because your hands are shaking." He flattened her hand against his and lightly traced her fingers. Long and lean, the pink fingernail polish almost invisible in the nonexistent light inside the car. Tyler lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles. Her fingers stiffened and she pulled her hand away, curling it into her lap once more.

Tyler frowned and shifted in the seat, turning sideways so he could watch her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Something's wrong, Jenny. I can tell. Are you nervous about tonight? About telling Jason?"

She shook her head then reached up to pull a stray tendril of hair from her face. "No."

He didn't believe her. Hell, he was nervous, too. There was no telling how Jason would react when he found out they were dating—that they'd been seeing each other for a couple of months. Would he be pissed? Probably. But Tyler was counting on the night's earlier fight to pave the way, to ease some of the tension that might otherwise be there.

He didn't tell Jenny that, though. Something told him that she wouldn't believe him.

"If you're not nervous, then what is it? You've been acting skittish ever since you got into the car." Which was about fifteen minutes ago. Jenny had driven separately, had already made arrangements to meet him here after the game. Probably a good thing, too, since Coach had kept them late.

Giving every single one of them a piece of his very loud mind.

He was still waiting for Jenny to answer, still wondering why she was so quiet. She finally looked over at him, her eyes filled with sadness—and fear.

"Why?"

Tyler frowned, not understanding what she was asking. Did she want to know why he thought she was nervous? Or something else? "Why, what?"

"Why were you fighting? What happened?"

"Nothing. It was just a fight, that's all."

"Don't lie to me. I know better. What happened?"

Should he tell her? No, she didn't need to know. Maybe she suspected, if the fear and anxiety in her eyes meant anything. But she didn't know—and Tyler couldn't tell her. But he couldn't lie to her, either.

"It was building the entire game. Just a bunch of chirping that got out of hand, that's all. You know how tense everyone's been lately. It didn't take much to set everyone off."

"That wasn't from chirping, Tyler. I know better. What happened?" Her gaze held his, her eyes searching as the seconds ticked by. Tyler finally looked away, afraid she'd see the truth in his eyes. He was too late.

A strangled gasp escaped her, one filled with anguish and disbelief. Tyler reached for her but she pushed his hand away, her head moving back and forth in denial.

"He said something, didn't he?"

"Nobody said—"

"He did. I can see it in your eyes. You know, don't you? Everybody knows and now—"

Tyler leaned across the center console and pulled her into his arms, refusing to let her go when she pushed against him. His hands traced gentle circles along her back, his voice whispering words of comfort and reassurance. Minutes went by before Jenny's body relaxed, the tension leaving her with one long shudder. Her hands moved between them, circled around his waist to pull him closer, her grip strong, almost desperate.

"Nobody knows, Jenny. I swear. He didn't say anything, not like that." At least, nothing that any of them believed. "He was chirping, trying to get into Jason's head. That's all."

"If he didn't say anything, how did you figure out who he was?"

"Jason."

Jenny pulled back, her brows pulled low in a frown over gleaming eyes. "Jason? I don't—"

"He knows you went out with him, Jenny. I don't know how, I didn't ask. I just—I put it together, that's all." And as far as he was concerned, that's all Jenny had to know. The rest was nothing more than chirping, just like he had said. Not a single guy who had overheard Krasnoff believed a word he said.

"Is that why you went after him?"

"I told you I'd kill him if I ever found out who he was." He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead and pulled back. "It's over. No more worries, okay? Let's go inside and grab a drink and have some fun."

"You go. I'll meet you inside?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I just—I need a few minutes, that's all."

Tyler wasn't sure he completely believed her. Was she still upset? Or was she getting cold feet about telling Jason? He hesitated, almost told her he'd wait for her, then changed his mind. If she needed a few minutes, he'd gladly give them to her. He'd give her whatever she wanted.

He leaned in for another quick kiss then climbed out of the car. The night air still held a hint of chill but he could feel the first fingers of Spring reaching out, barely discernible, teasing. Another two weeks and hockey season would be over for the year. The Bombers hadn't made the playoffs this year, hadn't even come close. And for once, the idea of a shortened season didn't bother Tyler, not when it meant more time to spend with Jenny.

He pulled open the door of Mystic's, pausing to let his eyes adjust to the dim lights. Everyone was at their usual table in the back corner, waving him over as he stepped inside. The atmosphere was relaxed, maybe even a little celebratory. Not just because the Bombers had won—they had, but only barely during the shootout in overtime. No, this was more because the tension of the last several weeks had finally snapped.

Yeah, nothing like a good old-fashioned ass whooping to work out your frustrations.

Every single one of them would be feeling the pain of cuts and bruises tomorrow, but tonight? Tonight was all about having fun. Starting fresh.

Tyler sat in one of two empty chairs across from Jason and Megan. Jason glanced over at him, offered him a small smile and a nod of acknowledgement. "Thanks for having my back earlier."

"Yeah, sure. No problem." Jason didn't need to know that he'd taken care of Krasnoff for Jenny and not him, although Tyler was fairly certain he'd figure it out soon enough.

As soon as Jenny came inside. As soon as they told him they were together.

Zach pushed a stack of plastic cups and a pitcher of beer in his direction. Tyler nodded his thanks and quickly poured, then tried not to wince as he took a sip. Fuck. Yeah, his mouth was going to be sore tomorrow. Correction: sorer. And so would his jaw and his knuckles. Hell, even his right thigh was sore and he had no idea why. Maybe, if he was lucky, Jenny could kiss every sore spot and make it all better. He was willing to give it a try, anyway.

Tyler leaned back in the chair, his ears picking up snippets of conversation here and there. Travis and Aaron talking about the former's crazy shot that had finally tied the game. Zach and Ben arguing who was sporting the biggest shiner. Ryan piping up from the corner and asking if Harland had managed to calm Noah down after the game.

Jason leaned across the table. "I don't think it was Noah who was upset. Or if he was, he was getting it from Courtney."

"You don't think she should be upset? After watching what happened?"

Jason turned to Megan, frowning. "It was just part of the game."

"Part of the game? It was a bloodbath! A vicious bloodbath!"

"Not really." Jason shrugged and turned to Tyler, his mouth curling in a broad smile. "At least, not until Bowie here took down Krasnoff. Beautiful moves, by the way. The son of a bitch never saw it coming."

"Hell, neither did I." Travis piped up from a few seats down. "I didn't think I've ever seen you fly so fast, Tyler. Impressive as shit."

"What? You didn't know my first choice was boxing?" Tyler deadpanned the question, then had to bite back a smile when Travis frowned, trying to figure out if he was being serious or not. Laughter erupted around them, erasing whatever tension might have remained.

Megan rolled her eyes then turned back to Jason, once again serious. "I don't care what you say. It was brutal."

"It's just part of the game, babe. That's all."

"No, it's not. I may not have been to many games, but I know better. Even Jenny said she'd never seen anything like what happened out there."

"Speaking of Jenny, where is she? I thought you said she was on her way."

Megan's gaze darted to Tyler's then quickly returned to Jason's. Interesting. Did Megan know? Had Jenny told her? Or was Megan simply guessing?

"She is. She must have—"

"Looking for me?" Jenny's voice drifted over the table, the sound a little too bright, a little too forced. Or maybe it was just Tyler's imagination because nobody else seemed to notice, especially not Jason. He pushed his chair back and stood up, frowning at his sister.

"What took you so long? You should have beaten us here."

"I had to stop somewhere."

Jason looked like he wanted to say something else but changed his mind at the last minute. He glanced around the table, his eyes resting on Travis. "Move. Let Jenny sit there."

"Don't be ridiculous." Jenny shot her brother a dirty look before her eyes drifted to Tyler. "There's an empty seat right there."

Tyler released the breath he'd been holding. For a heart-stopping second, he'd been certain she was going to take Travis' seat. Did the relief show on his face? Or was he still wearing the frown he'd aimed at Jason for his stupid suggestion that Travis move? Probably the frown, judging from Jenny's expression as she took the empty chair next to him.

It would be so easy to slide his chair next to hers, to drape his arm around the back of it and rest his hand on Jenny's shoulder. Yeah, it was a typical guy thing to do, a gesture of pure male possession. He wanted to claim Jenny, to show everyone that they were together.

He was smart enough not to do it.

Instead, he grabbed the pitcher of beer, filled a cup, and handed it to her. She took it, her fingers still shaking as she sent him a silent look. Thank you—but not for the beer.

She was still nervous, still anxious. From telling Jason, or from what Tyler had told her about the fight? He wanted to lean over, reassure her again, but he couldn't.

Not yet.

"Jenny, tell Megan that tonight was no big deal. She called us barbarians."

"That is not what I said! I just said it was brutal. And that even Jenny said it wasn't usual."

"I told you, it's just part of the game and—"

"Actually, it was pretty unusual." Jenny took a hesitant sip of the beer, her eyes focused on Jason. "So, uh, what started it?"

Dammit! Why the hell was she asking Jason? Tyler had already told her what started it. Didn't she believe him? Obviously not.

Jason threw a panicked look at Tyler, threw the same look toward Aaron. His face paled, a direct contradiction to the phony grin on his face. "Nothing. Just, uh, one of those things. Right guys?"

Nobody said a word. Everyone had heard Krasnoff mouthing off—or had been told about it. Not a single one of them would tell Jenny, though. She was Jason's sister, part of their small family. Which meant every single guy here would go out of their way to protect her.

Jenny glanced around the table, her eyes narrowing at the silent faces. Did she know they wouldn't answer her? Yeah, she did—even before she asked. So what was she trying to accomplish? What was she really searching for?

Jason laughed, the sound forced, and faced his sister. "See? Just one of those things." Jason jerked in his seat. Tyler thought that maybe Jenny had kicked him under the table but no, that wasn't it. Jason leaned to the side, digging for his phone, his thumb swiping the screen.

Tyler leaned to the side, caught Jenny's gaze with his own, leaned over to ask her what she had been hoping to accomplish.

"What the fuck? What the ever-loving fuck?" Jason's bellow was choked with horror. Tyler's head whipped around in surprise. All color had fled Jason's face, his mouth twisted in a grimace of horror as he stared down at his phone.

Tyler's phone vibrated in his pocket, stopping him before he could ask Jason what the hell was going on. He pulled it out, swiped the screen, and nearly threw up.

Then Aaron's phone rang. And Zach's. Travis, Ben, Ryan, Kyle—everyone's phones were going off, a chorus of clashing rings and vibrations echoing around the table. Megan glanced around, looked back at Jason, concern blazing in her eyes.

But Jason wasn't looking at Megan. His gaze, cold and furious, was leveled on Jenny.

"How the fuck could you do this?"

"What? I—I don't know—"

"Fuck. Goddamn fucking shit—" Jason kept swearing, his gaze moving between Jenny and his phone. He shot from his chair, his scorching gaze raking everyone around them. "Nobody open their phones. Nobody even fucking look at them. The first person who tries, I swear to fuck, I will rip your fucking arms out. Hand them over, now."

One by one, Jason collected the phones, a deep, whimpering growl growing in his throat as he opened each one and started deleting pictures.

Jenny looked on in horror. She started shaking, her body trembling so hard, Tyler could feel it through the table. He reached over, draped his arm around her shoulders, pulled her stiff body closer.

Panicked eyes met his. And fuck, he didn't want to tell her, didn't want to show her. He wished to fuck he'd never seen it. But she knew, even without being told. Her hand gripped his, her fingers cold and stiff as she tried to pull the phone from his hand. He pulled it away, shoved it back in his pocket, and gathered her into his arms.

"Jenny, don't. You—"

"I need to see. Please, I need to see—"

"No, you don't. It's done, you don't need—"

"Dammit! Mother fucker." Jason leaned across the table, his fists planted between the pitcher of beer and several cups. The muscle flexed in his jaw, a steady thump thump thump that matched the heavy pulse throbbing in the veins of his neck. "Everything the fucker said, it was true. Wasn't it? Every fucking thing. How could you do that to me?"

Tyler's arm swung out, knocking Jason back. "Get the fuck away from her."

Awareness flashed in Jason's eyes and he jerked back, anger filling his face. "You too? What the fuck, Jenny? Is there anyone you haven't—"

He never finished the words. Tyler lunged across the table, overturning it as he grabbed Jason by the throat. Cups crashed to floor. Beer flew around them, soaking pants and arms and shirts. Megan screamed as Tyler shoved Jason against the wall, lifting him off the floor.

"You don't talk to her like that. You got it? You don't fucking talk to her—"

"Tyler, stop. Let him go." Zach and Aaron grabbed his arms, pulling him away. But Tyler wouldn't let go, wouldn't stop until he had Jason on his knees, begging for mercy.

"Get the fuck off him!" Aaron's voice pierced the fury gripping Tyler. He shoved Jason against the wall one more time then released him. Jason reached for his own throat, coughing and choking. He lunged toward Tyler but Aaron held him back, bracing him against the wall with one strong arm.

"How could you? How could you fucking do this to me?"

Tyler lunged once more, staggered to a stop when Zach held him back. "It's not about you, asshole. It never was."

"Fuck! He was right. Everything Krasnoff said—"

"Knock it the fuck off. Now." Aaron's booming voice echoed around them, demanding immediate silence. He turned, pinned Jason with a cold stare that stunned Tyler. "He's right. It's not about you. Whatever happened, it's not about you."

It wasn't good enough. Tyler wanted blood. His body shook with the need for revenge. For retaliation. With the need to defend Jenny, no matter the cost. Aaron turned that same cold stare on him, silently daring him to move, warning him that it would be the last thing he did for quite some time.

"You. Go after your girlfriend. Now."

Those were the only words that could make Tyler move away from Jason. He spun around, his gaze searching for Jenny.

But she wasn't there.

Megan nodded toward the door then stepped around him, heading toward Jason. Tyler pushed through the small crowd, ignoring the curious looks, the whispered words.

Jenny. He had to find Jenny.

He hurried from the bar, his eyes scanning the parking lot. The space beside his, the space where Jenny had been parked, was empty. He ran over to the SUV, his hands shaking as he opened the door and climbed in.

Jenny was gone. He had to find her.