Chapter 1
Gloves Off, Game On
Luna
JustwhenIthoughtI had everything under control, new shit came flying at me like an open-ice hit. First, our entire practice schedule gets upended for a thus far unexplained reason. Probably something to do with the men’s hockey team. Life here in the athletic department generally revolves around them. And now this…
My jersey slithers to the floor as Maisie crashes down on the bench beside me. She leans in, snooping on my convo before I can lock my phone. I finish the text to my younger sister and send my nosy bestie some side-eye. “Can I help you?”
She sits up, blinking angelic brown eyes at me, casually reaching back to twist her lucky yellow elastic around her thick ponytail. I have no clue what’s going to happen if that thing ever breaks. Possible apocalypse trigger.
“I’m good. How about you?”
I sigh, slipping my cell into my slightly funky duffle. Didn’t I wash that three days ago? “Don’t act all innocent. I know you were spying.”
She shrugs. “Gotta look out for my bff. So, what’s going on with Celeste?”
“She got accepted into this elite summer dance program at the Summergold Academy in New York. It’s super prestigious, and you know what that means?” I’m rubbing at my temples. It’s a pointless gesture and isn’t going to help me come up with the astronomical deposit.
The buzz of chatter in the dressing room is quieter than usual. Suspicious. I glance around to make sure everyone is present and accounted for. They should be given the borderline-stalker number of texts I sent to let them know about the last-minute change. Being captain means keeping them in line and on schedule.
“It’s going to cost more than Bethany’s holiday ski trip to Cortina?”
“You got it. And how relieved am I to get her back with all her bones intact? I was worried she’d come back from Christmas vacay in a cast, and we’d be out one of our best defenders for the season.” I glance up to see Beth chatting with Lil. Her family might be super wealthy, but she works harder than anyone else on the team.
“Honestly, but knowing her, she would’ve played through it.”
“Totally.”
I absently reach for my phone again, nibbling on my lower lip as I open my social accounts. My last few posts from the holiday break sank into the depths of online oblivion. Counterproductive in my quest to scrape together Celeste’s deposit on top of my own financial obligations. On-ice action clips are where the virality lurks.
“I don’t want to butt in or anything, Wilder,” Maisie says.
I cut her a look. “Pretty sure you do.” Nothing my bestie loves more than butting in, but she’s fantastic at easing my load. WhenI can bring myself to ask for help. That’s why I love her as my alternate.
The right side of her mouth twists up in a smirk, and she laughs. “Guilty.” She smooths her smile out. “But why are you stressing about your sister’s dance school? Shouldn’t your parents be the ones figuring it out? You’ve got enough to handle paying for your own education and equipment.”
Yes, but… is the answer. Yes, but they worked so hard to pay for my hockey all those years. Mom worked two jobs to pay for my extracurriculars, sending me to tournaments, paying for extra coaching, and high-quality equipment. “Now that Mom can’t work anymore, they can’t afford those extras for Celeste, and that’s not fair. Not after everything they did for me.”
“I hope your sister appreciates everything you do for her.” Maisie drops her jersey over her head.
“I’m sure she does.” Even if she doesn’t always show it. I’m quite certain I was a bit of a self-absorbed shit at sixteen, too.
It takes me an extra beat or two to realize the scuffling, and general chatter dimmed while I’ve been sitting here lost in my thoughts. There’s the anticipatory stillness that always hangs in the air before any practice or game. Crap. They’re waiting for me. My obligatory pep talk.
I shoot to my feet. “Sorry, ladies. I’m a little preoccupied.”
“I think she met a hottie over the break.” The clapping and stomping that follow Lil’s comment rattles my eardrums.
“I did not.” I shake my head at her. Like I have time for guys. Even sleep is a limited resource at the moment.
“She needs to do something wow on her social accounts. Who wants to help?” I give Maisie my best WTF look.
“I didn’t… what…”
“Have you seen that new dance where everyone is wearing a different color? We could try that.”
“I want to do the truth or dare one.”
