Mae laughs again, the sound looser now, freer, like a knot that has been holding her chest tight is slowly unraveling.
"Brilliant. But fuck, Sage, you have gotten incredible at this. When did you get so sharp? Your passes were flawless out there."
Sage grins, pride evident.
"I actually train with Jace. Pretty regularly too. He is planning to try for the Minesto leagues in May. Has to find a pack first, though, so that is going to be a whole bunch of fun bullshit."
I frown, confusion pulling at my brow.
"Why does he have to find a pack?"
Etienne arches an eyebrow beside me, the same question forming in his expression.
"Oh?" he says, the single syllable loaded with implication.
Sage smirks, her dark eyes glinting with a secret she is clearly enjoying withholding.
"We will reserve that explanation for Jace to tell y'all himself. Not my story to share." She waves a dismissive hand before straightening to her full, compact height. "But for now, I am hoping to be damn lucky enough to play my shot at being the first female Omega to compete in the hockey league. Just give me a few weeks of adjusting to the pace and I will be right there."
I whistle, low and impressed.
"Damn, she is cocky."
Sage laughs, jabbing her thumb toward Mae.
"If you think I am cocky, then you really have not seen MaeBell in full throttle. I am the mild version. She is ruthless."
Etienne and I both turn to look at Mae simultaneously.
She grins, shy and self-deprecating, tucking a strand of damp hair behind her ear.
"I am okay," she says with a shrug that is trying very hard to be modest and failing spectacularly.
"More than okay."
Coach Mercer's gruff voice arrives before his body does, skating up to our cluster with an expression that has transformed from his usual scowl into a grin that looks unnatural on his weathered face.
"Now what do I have to do to get you on this team, Rose?"
The rink goes still. Eyes from every direction lock onto Mae, who blinks at the coach with the startled expression of someone who was not expecting to be recruited after a casual demonstration.
She laughs, the sound slightly nervous for the first time today.
"Sorry, Coach, but I do not professionally play hockey." She nudges Sage with her elbow. "You can have Sage, though. She is your real prospect."
Sage groans.
"Girl, do not make me a substitute for your greatness. I am not equipped to carry that responsibility."
Mae's expression softens, the nervous energy settling into a more comfortable thoughtfulness.
"If the team actually needs help, I would not mind assisting with the strategy part," she offers carefully. "I am not my Dad, but I am pretty good at reading plays and identifying issues. You guys could run a full game without me, and I can observe fromthe sidelines and give notes after. That is how my father always did it. Watch first, correct second."
She pauses, her hazel eyes drifting toward the figure skating side of the rink where Vanessa's group is pretending not to listen while very clearly listening.
"I am personally here to enjoy figure skating once I get used to the university. That is what I really want to focus on. Getting back to the thing I love."
"Well, we most certainly need you on the figure skating team."
