Somewhere in the back of my mind, I registered the chaos that immediately followed. Coach King was screaming. Linesmen swarmed. TJ spun on me and I didn’t wait. I dropped my gloves instantly. My hands were already on him, fist connecting before I could think better of it.
“Stop, dammit!” He snarled with gritted teeth. Blood sprayed the ice. It was nearly unheard for fights on the same team like this. It could be a contract killer. I didn’t give a fuck.
“Why? Cause it’s against the rules?” I threw his helmet off his head and landed another punch, holding him up by his sweater so he couldn’t fall.
“Didn’t”— hit— “Stop”—hit— “You.”
I caught movement in the corner of my eye. Ronan was on us, pads thundering as he barrelled between us and shoved me back hard enough to put me on my ass. The refs jumped in immediately after, arms everywhere and whistles blaring.
When I reached the bench, Coach King was purple with rage. I couldn’t find it in me to care. My eyes scanned the crowd. It was too active— rambunctious after the fight. I glanced up to thejumbotron. There. My boys were on screen, their backs to the camera as they showed off their 24 Bridges jerseys. Their little thumbs pointing at their backs as they grinned at each other. My grin mimicked theirs.
“Have you lost your damn mind?” He shoved a tattooed finger in my face. “Did you sayanythingto him before the game?”
“No, sir.” I kept my expression neutral in the face of his rage. Mine was only directed at one person alone.
“Good.” His glare was too intense to look away from. “I know why you lost it. But whatever shit you have going on outside of hockey, the league is involved now.”
He glanced behind him to Jessica, the assistant coach, “Get him out of here.”
TJ was ejected from the game as was I.
As I was washing the shampoo from my body, I played the night over in my head. I wouldn’t do a single thing differently.
Not for the game. Not for my career. Not for anything that mattered less than them.
I quickly dressed and headed home. Hudson and Matty were still wired, reenacting the fight for Presley in the living room. Hudson pretended to punch Matty in slow motion who acted outsound effects while falling to the ground. Presley stood with her hands on her hips.
“Not to be the uncool aunt, but y'all were supposed to be in bed two hours ago. If Tate comes home to y’all awake,I’mgonna get in trouble. And ifIget in trouble, you guys owe me candy. A boatload of it.”
They leaned their heads back and groaned. Hudson caught sight of me and beelined it to me. I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t him throwing his arms around me. I hug him back, until he pulls away. He wipes his face quickly, puffing up his chest.
“Alright, off to bed, you two.” I ruffled Matty’s hair as he grinned at me with pride. My chest warmed.
“Goodnight, Dad.”
“Goodnight, boys.” I cleared my throat. Presley raised her brows at me.
“Cowboy goes to New York and turns all mushy. You need to get back to the ranch.”
“Oh, shut it.” I waved her laughter off. “Keep it up, I’ve got Momma on speed dial. I wouldn't wanna have to update her on my baby sister’s life.”
“You wouldn’t.” Her eyes narrowed. Momma was sweet, but she was always a little tougher on Presley and her education. Didn’t want her going down the same route as Momma did, I guess.Still, I always supported her decisions, because she knew if she ever found herself in that kind of situation, I’d be there.
“Hell or Highwater.” I held out my hand— half of the butterfly sign and she did the other half. Our silly handshake we made up when she was eight.
“Hell or Highwater.” She grinned. My phone dinged and I pulled it out finding a text there.
Frozen Five
Ryan
Hell of a fight, Tx. Glad to see old man can still throw down.
Ronan
Guy had it coming. Wish I could’ve gotten one in.
Jordan
