The announcer introduces each of the teams to the spectators, giving a brief explanation of how the games will work today and tomorrow. Zach kept the rules simple, creating four teams with ten goalies on each one—no goalies in the crease.
Each team will play five-on-five for ten minutes, then swap in the second line for ten minutes more. That’s way longer than normal players stay on the ice. But in all this gear, goalies can’treally sprint as fast, so we can last a little longer. Even so, it’s a stretch.
The two games planned for today will consist of three twenty-minute periods, like normal hockey, but with five-minute breaks in between instead of eighteen. The two winning teams will compete in a playoff tomorrow for a trophy Bree describes as epic. She won’t tell me anything other than a big reveal is planned before tomorrow’s big playoff.
But all of that is just background noise because the only thing I can focus on right now is Langston, who looks more like a grade schooler swallowed up in his hockey gear. He’s a good five inches shorter than I am, and doesn’t seem completely comfortable in his gear. Under normal circumstances, I’d laugh, but nothing about that scumbag hits me funny at the moment.
My team—the Sting Rays—will play the Sharks first. Chase’s team—the Sea Turtles, which gives me some satisfaction—will play the Seagulls. The two winning teams will face off tomorrow, so there’s a good possibility that Chase and I won’t play against each other.
Fists clench inside my blocker and my catcher, I skate around the rink for the warm-up, careful to keep my distance from him and thankful that at least he’s not on my team. I’m sure Zach and Bree arranged the games to avoid any direct encounters between us, but part of me hopes the two teams winding up in the playoff will be mine and his.
I don’t miss the cautious glances he lobs at me or the smug grin he wears as if he’s the big man on campus. The rage I’ve managed to keep in check flares hotter than ever. I want nothing more than to wipe that smirk from his face permanently. Better yet, leave him toothless. I don’t think he’d be smiling much then.
But I won’t. I can’t do that to Bree. I know how much the success of this event means to her, so I’ll behave at least until the weekend is over. After that, no promises. Sometimes, a man hasto do what a man has to do. I’m not sure what that is yet, but I’ll know when I see it, consequences be damned.
I take a seat with the rest of my team on the bench. Luke, who volunteered to act as one of our coaches, leans over my shoulder. “Is that him?”
Following his line of sight to where Langston leaves the rink to head down the tunnel, I rough out. “Yeah.”
“Thinking reckless thoughts?”
I dart my eyes to his, staring at him through my grill as if to say, ‘duh.’
“I see.” He ducks his chin. “You know you’re not alone in this, right?”
I tip my head toward the ice. “I am out there.”
His lips purse as he thumps the thick padding on my shoulder. “Don’t do anything stupid. Sophie’s article will expose him for the scum of the earth that he is. This may be the last time he sets a skate on the ice.”
I gnash my teeth together. “Let’s hope.”
He nods. “Good, just make sure it’s not yours.”
My team, the Sting Rays, beat the Sharks by one point. Unfortunately, Chase’s team, the Sea Turtles, wound up faster on the ice than I expected and beat the Seagulls by three. That means we’ll probably have to play against each other tomorrow, unless our line rotations don’t happen to overlap.
Right now, I’m dressed in my game day suit instead of my gear, waiting for the Date a Hockey Player Auction to start. The rest of the guys roped into this madness congregate around the room, chatting or scrolling on their phones. A few look as nervous as I feel. I run my hand down my right thigh, attemptingto calm my bouncing knee. I haven’t seen Bree in hours, and I’m worried about her.
I check my phone again, but she still hasn’t answered my last text asking if she’s okay.
Is she safe? Has Chase tried to intimidate her? I know my guys are keeping a careful watch, but that’s not the same as me being there.
Just as I’m about to use a need for the restroom as an excuse to leave and find her, she waltzes in, tablet clutched in her left arm and a bright smile on her gorgeous face. Her blonde hair is swept up into a high ponytail, and she’s wearing her usual professional attire of wide-legged pants and a shimmering purple top that makes her eyes pop.
“Okay, we’re about to start. Is everyone ready?”
A few mumbled yeses break the silence; most just nod.
“Guys, this is for a great charity. Most of the winners will be fans who want to take you to lunch with their kids.”
“I’d rather have an actual date.” Zayne lets out a rough laugh, trying to hide his own case of nerves.
Since Luke’s not here to give his captain’s speech, I rise to the call. “She’s right. So get your game face on and be your best.”
Bree shoots me a grateful look. For a long moment, we just stare at each other, but I don’t miss the way her eyes drop and scan down, as if she’s checking out my suit. When her gaze returns to mine, I lift a brow as if to ask if she approves.
She saunters over, smiling. “Looking good, Pierce.”
My gaze drifts down her, slow and unhurried, before I drop my voice. “Not so bad yourself, Sutton.”
