I blink several times, certain I haven’t heard correctly. Bubba? I have to admit he looks like a Bubba, mullet and all. Koko strains to get closer to the guy. Bubba moves forward, and Dash blocks him.
“Let’s all calm down. Can I buy you and your friends a round?” Dash asks casually, as if this scene isn’t about to implode.
“You can fucking move aside so I can teach this little prick a lesson.”
Dash motions to Drakos and Kirby. “Get him out of here.”
Before they can react, Bubba stands in their way.
“You don’t wanna do that.” Dash adopts a casual tone, but his body language is menacing. The team captain is one of the nicest guys in hockey, but he’s capable of turning into an asshole when the situation calls for it. He’s long been a favorite of mine no matter what team he’s played for.
“Bubba, let’s go.” His friend steps forward and tugs on his arm, but Bubba stands rooted to the spot, hands on hips and chest thrust out.
“Not until I settle the score.”
“Bubba, not tonight. Let’s go.”
Bubba isn’t going. In fact, he moves a few steps closer. “Get out of my way. I don’t have a beef with you.”
“Nope,” says Dash.
Bubba moves unusually fast for a big guy built like Santa Claus. He darts past Dash and plants a fist in Koko’s face. The goalie struggles to get free, but Drakos and Kirby hold him back. “Someone grab this guy,” shouts Drakos.
Several Icehawks hurry forward and pull Bubba back. He’s fighting mad, but they’re in way better shape.
“Bubba,” says one of his buddies. “The cops will be here any second. You can’t afford another arrest on your record.”
This seems to wake Bubba from his murderous trance. “Let me go. I’m leaving.” The guys loosen their hold and escort him and his friends out the door.
“Let’s disappear before the police arrive. We don’t need this negative publicity.” Dash gestures toward the back door. “Now.”
A dozen or so Icehawks hurry toward the door. Drakos is last. He glances around the room, spots me, and hesitates. His scowl deepens, making it crystal clear he’s unhappy to see me.
“What the fuck are you doing here? Did you follow me?” He’s angry and perches his hands on his hips, taking on a belligerent posture I rarely see from him. Distrust shines in his eyes.
“Maybe. Maybe not.” I’m not giving him any further information.
“Don’t write about this. Hell, I’ll pay you to keep your mouth shut.”
“I don’t plan on it.” I immediately regret my words because this is exactly the kind of scandal Charles wants and will blow out of proportion. I don’t understand why I’m agreeing to stay quiet. Am I trying to impress this asshole?
“I don’t know if I can trust you.”
I shrug. “You don’t have much of a choice.”
He scowls and rushes after his teammates. I watch them go before finding a seat at the bar and ordering a beer. I want the team long gone before I return to the hotel. Taking my time, I finish my beer, pay the tab, and wander across the street into the hotel lobby. Once inside, I note that no one I know is in the lobby. I take the elevator to my room and write up my story for tomorrow. It’s exactly the kind of content Charles hates, full of facts about the upcoming matchup and speculation on what it’ll take for the Icehawks to win. I don’t include the incident in the bar.
I send the article to Charles, knowing he’s going to pop a cork when he reads it. With immense satisfaction and trepidation, I turn off my phone after a brief call to Noah. I’m off the clock, after all.
Instead of imagining Charles blowing up my phone, I fall asleep fantasizing about Drakos, which is the last thing I should be doing. We came so close tonight. I should be grateful to Koko for unwittingly saving me from the biggest mistake of my life.
Only I’m not grateful. I’m disappointed.
Chapter 13
Ground Under My Feet
The Icehawks play their biggest game tonight in Colorado. Practices have been intense at times and relaxed at others. This should be a hard-fought series, and the Icehawks are definitely the underdogs. If a few of their stars stop underperforming, they might stand a chance. Drakos Lenkov has been ineffective this past month with the exception of a timely assist that led to the game winner in the regular season finale. He needs to step up, which’ll be a miracle considering his current twenty-game slump. —Aria at All Hockey News
