For once my mouth did exactly what my brain told it, instead of digging me into an even deeper hole.
“You’re right,” I agreed. “It won’t happen again.”
He nodded. “Make sure it doesn’t. Clearly your teammates listen to you, for better or worse. But if you want to be a real leader, then you need to put the team first. Not any one individual.”
“Understood.”
I thought we were done, but Foster stepped a little closer and seemed to stand even taller. “And Twelve,” he said. “I don’t know what you’re playing at with Mackenzie, but I’ve told you twice now to stay away from my daughter. Do not make me say it again.”
He emphasized his threat by pointing two fingers toward his dark eyes and then turning them to face me. I swallowed. Didn’t people only do shit like that in the movies? If it wasanyone else, I might have laughed. But in real life, coming from Coach Foster, it was intimidating as hell.
I gave him a brief nod, but as he marched back into the locker room, I felt my frustration grow. Mackenzie wouldn’t have needed help today if Coach Foster hadn’t left her completely high and dry at practice this week and during today’s game. He’d given her zero encouragement or support, and she’d been completely unprepared. Whatever I thought about Mackenzie, I couldn’t deny she was a good player. Didn’t Foster realize that, given the right guidance, she could be agreatplayer?
But his warnings were clear. I couldn’t afford to help her anymore. Not unless I wanted to screw myself out of everything I’d been working toward. There was nothing I could do. Mackenzie was on her own.
The last thing I felt like doing after such a terrible loss was going to a party at Elliot Ford’s house. He had become a regular party host this year, because his parents were “cool parents”. At least, that’s what they told us as Seth and I entered through the front door. I’d never cringed so hard in my life.
I’d expected the atmosphere to be mellow after our loss, but people appeared to be enjoying themselves as much as they usually did. There was music pumping, drinks being passed around, and a large group of people glued to a hockey game that was lighting up Ford’s massive TV.
The Raiders were playing, and Reed scored a goal only a few moments after I set eyes on the screen. The room erupted in cheers, and my heart clenched as Reed and Grayson gatheredeach other in a celebratory hug.
“The amount of ice time your brothers get is amazing considering they’re freshmen,” Seth said from beside me. “And the camera loves them.”
Seth was right; my brothers were taking the league by storm. And, while it had only been a few games, it seemed like they were the most talked-about players in college hockey right now.
I was ridiculously proud of Reed and Grayson, but it kind of sucked to see them killing it at college when nothing was going according to plan for me here. I should be creating my own legacy this season, becoming the Devils’ shining star. But it felt more like I was falling fast, destined to crash down to earth with a bang. We needed to start winning or I was never going to make captain or repeat last season’s championship. And then it would always feel like I couldn’t succeed without my brothers.
But all I said to Seth was, “Yeah, well, it will be my ugly freshman mug taking up your screen this time next year.”
“Not if you keep sacrificing our games for cute goalies.”
My eyes narrowed. “I don’t know any cute goalies.”
Seth laughed. “Okay, maybe you’re right. She’s a little more than cute.” He nodded across the room.
I turned to see Owen and Jaz walking through the front door, Mackenzie trailing behind them. I felt a flash of heat in my chest. She looked different tonight with her hair tumbled down her back in soft curls and dark eye shadow making her green eyes shine.
Jaz and Mackenzie were laughing about something andjudging by the way they kept glancing back to the front door, I had to assume they’d also met Elliot’s “cool” parents. Her laugh fascinated me. I didn’t think I’d really heard it before. At least, not like this. It was easy, and unrestrained, making her eyes crinkle at the corners. And I stood there, staring like an idiot.
As if she’d felt my stare, she glanced across the room and caught my eye. I couldn’t look away. Couldn’t even raise a knowing smile. She held my gaze just a heartbeat too long before her jaw tightened with irritation and she hurried further into the house. It was only once she was gone I could think clearly again.
“I’m going to get some fresh air,” I murmured to Seth. But I didn’t get very far. As I entered the kitchen, a hand reached out to grab me.
“Where have you been?” Vanessa tutted.
I let out a sigh and turned to face her. Vanessa was hot, and we both knew it. We’d made out a few times at parties over the summer, but I’d stopped paying her any attention when I saw her laughing at something Paige was wearing. Insulting my brother’s girlfriend was as bad as insulting me. Plus, I happened to like the multi-colored, hand-knitted scarf Paige always wore.
“Hey, Vanessa.”
She pouted up at me. “You look sad. I’m sorry you guys lost. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
Her voice was thick with suggestion, and she trailed a finger across my chest.
“I think I’m good.”
“Really? Because Elliot has a jacuzzi outside…”
“Huh.” There was an expectant look on her face, so I quickly added, “I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”
