ICED OUT
VERONICA EDEN
A RIVAL’S SISTER HOCKEY ROMANCE
ONE
EASTON
Losinga game on home ice is one of the worst feelings in the world. It’s a kick right to the dick knowing you’re down in points as the clock is running out, and no matter how many plays you and your boys try to make happen nothing is connecting. Even more rage inducing is when it all goes down against your goddamn rival.
Ryan Donnelly’s punchable smirk makes my blood simmer while the two of us face off for the puck drop.
“Ready to dance again, Blake?” he taunts. “If the NHL doesn’t want you, I’d say you have a fair chance twirling around the ice in tights. Magic on Ice is calling your name.”
This fucking guy. He’s been a thorn in my side since junior league.
My teeth clench hard enough to send an ache throbbing through my jaw. I won’t let him get to me. His game is cockier than ever since he was a second round draft pick over the summer during the off season. The only consolation is that the team who picked him has not offered him a contract yet. They must want to keep him in the NCAA for further development.
I’m still fighting for my dream of being drafted by the NHL. It’s the goal I’ve been striving for as hard as I can.
This is my damn year. I’m making sure of it, taking every chance to prove myself. Freshman year I didn’t meet the eligible age requirements. I’m still getting over the fact that no teams bit for me as a prospect during this chance, yet they did for Donnelly. Even though Heston U beat Elmwood in the championship to maintain our school’s unbroken streak of winning Frozen Four.
Punching this asshole for having a better chance at making it to the pro league than I do won’t get me any closer to it, only an ejection from the game I love more than anything for misconduct.
I can’t change that he got drafted before me, but I can still beat him here and now.
It’s the last period. With minutes left to spare, I don’t have time to fuck around anymore. We need to put up points against Elmwood University to take the W.
“It’s okay to admit you fantasize about guys in tights, Donnelly.” I grin when he jerks his head. “Last I checked, you need to sign a contract. Any official offer from Buffalo yet?” His gloves tighten on his stick and I laugh. “Don’t sweat it, man. You can still make it on a team as a free agent after graduation when their hold expires on your signing rights.”
Donnelly narrows his eyes, lip curling back with a growl. The ref’s whistle blows and we sink into position for the face-off.
The puck drops to the ice and our sticks clash together. I win the battle for possession and dart around him. It’s feeling good. My linemates are in strategic positions, evading our opponents’ defense.
I’m flying down the ice toward Elmwood’s goal when my attention snags on a flash of red in the corner of my eye. It interrupts the sea of dark blue and green in the Heston student section.
What the?—?
It’s not just someone wearing red in our student section. The brunette in the front row is wearing an Elmwood jersey with Donnelly’s number emblazoned across her chest.
What thefuck?
Our eyes meet and I barely feel it when Donnelly checks my side hard, the momentum slamming both of us against the boards right in front of her.
Time seems to freeze. My heartbeat drums in my ears, drowning out the sounds in the arena. It’s strange. I’ve played games where I felt like I was at the top of my performance level—skating better, shooting on the net more accurately, and connecting with my teammates.
This isn’t like that. The audience’s energy is something to feed on, but I’ve never let them distract me while I’m on the ice. Never picked a girl out of the blur of faces in the stands.
I need to move. Get Donnelly off me and make this play instead of gaping at the girl who sticks out amongst the Heston fans.
Her lips part and form the shape of a name. My attention falls to her mouth.
He manages to swipe the puck from me with the tip of his stick and skates away.
“Fuck!” I shove off the boards and dig hard, willing my legs to move faster to get it back. “We have to stop him! Get in there!”
Two of my teammates converge on him. He avoids them one after the other, making it all the way to our end of the ice.
