“Let’s go out there and clinch our spot in the playoffs. We’re still in it if we don’t win today, but securing a win tonight means we’re going to the next stage. I know you’re all hungry. Each and every one of you has worked hard this season. I need every single one of you to show that on the ice tonight.”
There's banging of lockers, a group of us pushing each other and amping each other up. The locker room feels electric, and I’m ready for tonight. Every game we play, every day that passes, is another step closer to fulfilling my dream and starting the next one.
I’ve broken down my body, given everything I’ve got, and I don’t intend to let it all fall through the cracks now.
“One more thing,” coach says. “Be nice to the new mascot.”
Suddenly, a dark haired Beta with a massive smile dressed as a fox with the head under his arm comes in.
“Hey, I’m Ethan,” he says.
“No, you're Finnegan the Fox,” Coach Applegate says next to him.
“Right.” He nods and looks around, just happy as shit to be here. “Well, good game,” he says, putting on the fox head and walking through the tunnel. I didn’t realize tonight was the night they were debuting the new costume. The first fox they had looked like it had rabies and was on a bunch of antipsychotics. This one looks much more family friendly.
There’s stick banging, butt taps, and loud music playing in the stadium before we skate out, and I can’t help but feel like everything is just clicking into place.
I’m nearly out the tunnel when Bram Nilsen stops me. “Remember, fuck up Kristiansen any chance you get,” he says.
“You know, Nilsen, you’re kinda scary.”
He gives me a feral grin, his mouth guard hanging between his teeth. Sloane walks by; she’s taking a video of us for some app, and she shakes her head.
“Bram isn’t scary, he’s the sweetest.” Her scent gets everyone riled up in the tunnel, but she doesn’t give a shit as she smiles at him.
“See, I’m sweet,” he says as he watches the Omega walk away.
“She’s the coach's daughter.”
“Semantics,” he says, his gaze not leaving her while he speaks to me.
“You know he’ll bury you alive if you touch his daughter.”
“I’m looking, not touching,” he says with an eye roll.
“Uh huh, sure.”
“Big game when you’re the one banging the captain.”
“Oh, fuck off,” I tell him, and he laughs and claps my shoulder.
“You know, I didn’t think you would work out. I’m glad you did. Thanks for not being a massive disappointment,” he says as we skate off onto the ice for warmups. If that’s all the asshole wants to give me, so be it.
We’re skating on the ice with music blaring and getting ready for the game when I look up at the box Piper is in. Charlotte is still recovering, so it looks like she’s hanging out with Sloane and a few other hockey wives. I’m smiling at her when I look at her jersey. My face immediately drops, and Alexi is by my side.
“I’m going to redden her ass for that tonight.”
“Beckford, really? That’s whose jersey she wore?”
Alexi points up at her and gives her a naughty shake of his finger, and she replies with a middle finger and a smile. Alexi is grinning and shaking his head, while he laughs animatedly.
“You two are going to be the fucking death of me.”
“What did I do?”
Alexi rolls his eyes and skates back a little bit before swatting my ass with the stick. “Keep your head in the game, and don’t let that,” he points to the box where Piper is with his stick, “get to your head.”
“It really just makes me want to punch Eli.”
