“I’m in a slump.”
“You’re in more than a slump. We need you. We need your speed, your dangerous slap shot, and your relentless defense. Where has it all gone?”
“I wish I fucking knew.” I raise my head and meet his gaze. He has to see the anguish on my face, but he can’t allow personal feelings to get in the way of his job. This is a business. Every one of us knows that. If I can’t perform, I don’t belong here.
“I’ve given you every chance I can, but we’re getting down to the wire, and I can’t continue to wait for you to show up.”
“I’m sorry, Coach.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it. I need a guy who’s not distracted by outside crap.”
“I’m not.”
His stern, disbelieving expression says it all. He doesn’t believe me. “You’re letting negative press get to you. Stop reading that shit. Stay offline. Surround yourself in a bubble of positivity. Whatever the hell works for you, do it.”
“Coach, I’m?—”
Jeffs holds up a hand to stop me. “I’m going to bench you for the next two games. I’ll move Banger up to first line and give Oliver some ice time.” William Oliver is a rookie who’s usually a healthy scratch. Now that’ll be me for the next two games.
“I understand.” I nod, knowing any argument from me will be met with a sterner response. Coach looks away, signaling I’ve been dismissed. I hurry from the room and down the deserted hallway. Most of my teammates have gone to the Portland Puck to celebrate our win. I’m not in the mood for celebrating, despite being one of the bigger party boys on the team.
I stiffen as I spot Aria turning a corner and striding straight for me with a purpose that doesn’t bode well. I brace for the worst.
“Great game.” Her voice drips with sarcasm.
“Thanks. I aim to please my fans.” I smirk just to annoy her.
Those cold blue eyes shoot daggers at me. “I’m not a fan, and I’m not pleased with your lackluster performance. Maybe you should consider changing your priorities from staying up too late getting wasted and partying with random women to actually playing hockey.”
A smart remark sits on the tip of my tongue. Antagonizing her won’t earn me anything but more grief. She gains great pleasure in baiting me, and I can’t take that bait. I swallow my reply, draw in a deep breath, and try to relax, which is next to impossible around this woman.
“Well, then, why don’t you write about my despicable behavior?” Probably not a good response either, but better than what I really want to say to her.
“You know I will. I hear you’re being benched.”
I bristle and tamp down my anger. How the hell does she find this shit out? No one should know yet, except perhaps the team captain, and he sure as hell wouldn’t tell her, nor would anyone else on the team.
“What’re you doing here anyway? Misplace your broomstick?” I know where I’d like to put that broomstick, but I wisely keep my wishes to myself.
Aria closes the distance between us and stands toe-to-toe with me. I grudgingly admire her guts. She’s a little thing and cranes her neck to look up at me. I grin with satisfaction knowing I’m getting to her as much as she’s getting to me.
“Is there a problem?” I cock my head and raise a brow, drawing a deep scowl from her. Score another one for me. Now if I could only be so successful on the ice.
“You’re the problem.”
“Coming from you, that’s a compliment.” I’m playing with fire, but I can’t seem to put down the matches. “Well, it’s been nice talking to you, but I have more important things to do, such as feed my pet boa constrictor.”
At the mention of a snake, she reflexively backs up a few steps. I snort out a laugh and am rewarded with a murderous glare. We have a stare-down, which I win.
Aria pivots on one booted heel and stalks off. I chuckle at the joy of winning this round, but I’m not done yet.
Chapter 4
Blubbering
~~Aria~~
I shake with fury as I round the corner and stop in front of the elevator.
