Chapter Twenty-Two
TROY
“Why the fuck are you so happy?” Marcus yells at me, shooting the puck over to me. I slide it across the ice, hitting the back of the net.
“Why can’t I be happy that the game is tonight?”
“Dude, you’re never this happy to be playing hockey. It’s unnatural.”
It’s true. With the stress of my grades and the fear of losing my position on the team, it was touch and go there for a while. But now? Angie and hockey are my main focus.
“See! There’s that smile again.”
“Fuck off, Wizard.”
Except my eyes keep drifting over to where Angie is sitting. With my parents. I feel a twinge of guilt that I didn’t tell her, but I knew she wouldn’t come if she knew they’d be here.
Is it so bad to want my girlfriend to meet my parents?
All I know is that I want to have the game of my life tonight.
Sue me; I want to show off for her.
And maybe lay out her ex.
“Alright boys, circle up!” Coach Morris calls out to us. “Tonight’s going to be a hard one. Boston is one of the top-ranked schools in the country. But we’re better than they are. And with Tanner back, they’ll be gunning for a win.”
“Tanner. What an ass,” someone mumbles.
If only he knew the half of it.
My eyes flit to Angie’s. She’s chatting away with my mom. But it’s like she feels my eyes on her and she turns to face me.
Even from here, I can sense her nerves.
I know she doesn’t want to bump into her ex. My only hope is to lay him out on the ice.
Scouts are at the game tonight. With the end of the season fast approaching, they’re at more and more games. I know I don’t have a reputation for being a dirty player, but I don’t want one game to ruin my shot at the pros.
I’ve gone through the motions during pregame. I blink and we’re getting ready to line up to start the game.
“You okay?” Marcus asks.
“Oh, I’m good.”
Kyle skates up to center ice as I meet him.
“Hope you’re ready for a long game. We’re going to embarrass you tonight on your home ice,” he chirps.
Oh yeah. His trash talk is going to make this even better.
The puck is dropped and I take it with ease before passing it off to Isaac.
“Long game? Might want to check yourself.” I wink at him before skating off down the ice.
He’s at my skates, stick clashing with mine.
“Watch your back, Hollins. I’ll get you before you know it.”
