My timeout ends and I’m back on the ice. We’re on to the second period and down by two to a team who doesn’t even compete in our league. Determined to claw back those goals, I manage to snatch the puck from one of their wings, powering up the slapshot Coach has been having me work on. I swing and—fuck!
Their defenseman slams me into the boards so hard my knees nearly buckle. The impact and his weight knock the wind out of me, and I gasp for air as the taste of copper fills my mouth.
“Watch your stick,” he says to me in Swedish. I do my best to shake it off, but my entire body feels rung like a bell. The referee ignores the check and the game moves on.
My shift ends and I’m back on the bench, my bones thoroughly rattled. A few of the guys give me odd looks. I know they can tell my head isn’tin it, but I won’t acknowledge it to them. For the rest of the match, I refuse to let my eyes or thoughts wander from the game. When we scrape out three more goals to win, I don’t so much as glance her way. I can’t. Too much is at stake, for me and the team.
“Got a stick you need me to dig out of your ass, Captain?” Poirier says under his breath on the locker room bench. Coach has just finished ripping us a new one and the mood is tense. We won but it was sloppy, and against an amateur team. Far from satisfactory.
“Not really,” I grit out as I pull my jersey over my head and start unstrapping my pads. I don’t discuss my feelings in general, and definitely not within listening distance of the team.
“Uh-huh.” Poirier bends to unlace his skates. “I get it. Going home blows. That’s why I don’t do it.”
I hum in response.
“Thank fuck Saskatchewan doesn’t have a team. I don’t know what I’d do if we had to play up there. Even Alberta’s too close for comfort, though I don’t think my old man would make the trek. His wife never lets him stray far from the trailer park. If I’m lucky, I’ll find some hot American girl to adopt me into her family one of these days.”
“Careful what you wish for, Poirier,” I grimace.
“What, you don’t think I could do it?”
“I don’t think you’d like it.”
“That’s rich, coming from Captain Celibate himself. Or have you finally made a move on Little Hearst?”
My eyes fly up, looking around to make sure nobody’s heard him. Luckily nobody seems to be paying attention to us.
“Are you trying to get me fired? I have no interest in making a move on her,” I hiss.
I do wantto keep my job, even if I happen to have experienced some passing fantasies. I guess that’s what avoiding sex for months on end does to a man. I should really consider doing something about that.
“Don’t lie to me, Falkenberg. I might be an idiot, but I’m not stupid. I see the way you look at her.”
“I don’t look at her any particular way,” I snap back, but even as I say it, I know it’s a lie.
“I just hope you’re not blue-balling yourself too hard. Need you in prime condition if we’re gonna make a comeback this season.”
“Believe me, I’m painfully aware,” I say flatly.
“I don’t blame you. She’s hot. And cool.” Poirier looks up at me slowly. “But are you sure she’s not just schmoozing you to get on your good side?”
I bristle, not liking that thought at all. Hearst seems genuine. It’s not like she’s made things easy for me. You never know what people are hiding, though. It doesn’t matter. I won’t allow her to get any closer to me.
“I’m out,” I say, heading for the showers. I don’t want to hear or think about any of this. Poirier knows me better than most, but if he’s noticed something, it’s possible the others have, too.
Not good.
Chapter 26
Freddie
My father wakes me up with a slew of texts.
Dad
Look at this article. Production down 40% since the pandemic.
Dad
