This might be the first time the three of us have all agreed with each other. That’s the power of Justin Ward, bonding people over a shared hatred of him.
“How did Kennedy ever date that clown? Someone asfineas her settling forthat.”
I wince, glancing at Volk, expecting to see murder in his eyes, returning us to where we started, with Volk and Halo barely tolerating each other. But Volk grins at Halo like they’re friends sharing a joke.
“She was going through something.”
“That explains a lot. Glad she found someone better.”
Volk nods curtly.
My appreciation for the temporary truce between Volk and Halo vanishes when Halo adds, “It wasn’t smart picking a fight with him, Briggsy. That asshole has fifty pounds on you.”
“You couldn’t let me get in one punch?” I lament.
Halo rubs a towel over his sweat-soaked face. “Your punch would have landed you a second concussion this season.”
“Is that why you finally have my back? A deep caring for my health?” I twinkle my eyes at him, a gesture he ignores.
“I have your back because you’re my teammate, and if anyone fucks with you, they fuck with me.AndI needed someone to dirty up this face. Can’t let Volk walk around with all the bruises and get all the attention.”
“He’s not your competition,” I say.
“It’s cute you think that,” Halo replies. “Everyone is competition.”
I motion between Volk and me. “We’re not. We’re your allies.”
Halo smirks. “Briggsy the Boy Scout, eh?” He mimics my voice, right down to my Manitoban accent. “Anyway,what’s that thing our fans keep saying, protect you at all costs?”
I gesture around the arena with one hand. “They might start saying it about you now.”
The crowd chants Ha-Lo over and over as the screen at center ice replays the fight, showing Halo punching Ward senseless while he shields his head.
Halo scoffs. “I don’t need anyone to protect me.”
“No, of course not.” Volk rolls his eyes, but there’s laughter in his tone.
I nudge Volk in the side. To Halo, I say, “Maybe you want someone to have your back, back your play, whatever?”
He shrugs. “My next play is to wipe the floor with these fuckers. You in?”
I hold up my hand to fist-bump him, then turn to Volk.
He rolls his eyes again, like he can’t possibly be bothered by this ritual. “You always take it too far, Briggsy.”
I crack a smile. “Face it—that’s what you love about me.”
“I respect it,” Halo chimes in. “Sometimes, the situation calls for taking it too far.”
“Like right now,” I reply with a nod.
When the penalties expire, we charge out of the box, one by one, like bats out of hell. Halo lands a monster hit, which allows Volk to steal the puck and head toward the net. I sprint up the ice, waiting for him to cross the blue line before charging, looking for his pass. Volk fakes out the goalie, making him think he’s shooting left, but instead, he slaps the puck to me to score on the open net opportunity we created. I immediately point to Volk but find Halo with both of his arms in the air, celebrating as if it’d been his goal. They skate to me, wrapping me in a hug so wholesome, it’d wreck Gemma’s heart. Besides her husband, hockey hugs draw her to our sport.
By the time the third-period buzzer sounds, we’ve outscored Florida by five goals, three of which came from our line. Kennedy thought inviting Halo to Christmas dinner would create team bonds, but all we needed was for Justin fucking Ward to come to town to align us against a common enemy.
33
Zach
