“Exactly my point,” he laughs, opening the door as we reach the end of the hallway. “Let’s get this shitshow over with,” he says quietly as we step into the room full of hungry wolves.
“Amen to that,” I mutter, following him to the table with the mics set up as cameras start to go off in a hurried frenzy.
“You have twenty minutes with my boys. Make the questions count,” Coach says into the mic as we take our seats.
“How does it feel, Knox, to be back in your hometown?” The question is fired at me from the back as I brace my arms on the table and lean forward to answer.
“It feels good. We have a great team this year, and I’m looking forward to learning from Coach Goldman.”
“Cayden, what are your thoughts on Redman this season? I’ve heard he’s the new frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy this year.”
Blade leans casually forward with a smirk on his face. “Come on, Harold. You’ve got limited questions, and you waste it on that?” He asks as the reporters break out into laughter. “I don’t have any thoughts about Redman. The trophy will be mine again, just like it was for the last two years.”
“Stone, will you be able to work with McCormick this year, or will we be seeing some tension between teammates out there on the ice?”
Another dumb question. I force myself not to eye-roll as I speak into the mic.
“The best teams leave any past grudges behind. We’re teammates now and will be working toward one goal, and that’s winning the cup this year.”
A few more questions are asked about the upcoming season, and I start to relax that it’s going to go off without a hitch when I hear a voice from the back speak up that makes my blood begin to boil.
“Word has it in the small town of Blue Haven that you are living with a dark-haired beauty named…” My eyes narrow at the piece of paper in his hands, and I grab the mic.
“Shit,” I hear the coach say under his breath seconds before I speak.
“Her name doesn’t touch your lips,” I say quietly in the mic as his head shoots up to meet my furious scowl. “Do you have nothing better to do in your pathetic life that you have to live through mine? I’ve told you before, Scott, and I’ll tell you one last time. My personal life is none of your fucking business. Stick to the game talk, or I’ll have your ass fired.”
I get up and storm out. I briefly hear Cayden thank everyone hurriedly before I hear his footsteps fall behind me.
“Well, that’s going viral tomorrow,” he chuckles when we are alone in the hallway.
“Ask me if I give a fuck,” I ground out, heading straight to the exit.
“Are you really living with someone? That’s not your MO,” he laughs softly behind me.
Sighing, I stop in my tracks as my hand grips the door handle. “She’s… a friend.” Truthfully, I have no idea what tolabel Savi. Do friends want to kill each other one minute, and then in the next minute, want to rip her clothes off and sink my teeth into her?
The Montgomerys are like family to me. Theyaremy only family. I’ve tried in the past to put Savi in the little sister category, and it easily worked when she was just a kid. Now, though…now it always fucks with my head when my mind wants to picture her naked.
Friendsis a loose term with us, considering we are at each other's throats most of the time, but it’s an easy explanation for everyone.
“I’m just staying there until I can find a house to buy.”
“Friends, huh?”
“Yup.” I’m not about to give him anymore details.
“So, will we get to meet this friend of yours on game night? I’m sure the guys would love to meet the girl that’s got you so worked up.”
I think back to what Savi said earlier about getting to know my hockey buddies and seeing if one of them would be able to take my place.
That’s a hardfuck no.
“I doubt it. She hates hockey, especially hockey players.”
I push open the door and step outside, squinting in the bright sunlight. Cayden’s laughter disappears behind me as the door shuts.
Well, at least the last part is true. It might be specific to me, but he doesn’t need to know that.
