As we file down the stairs toward the guest team’s tunnel, several girls are voicing their feelings about what just transpired today.
“That’s why Gen got away with what she did to you,” Jodie says.
“I have to agree.” Talia chimes in. “They can say that they’re impartial as much as they want, but didn’t Carole and Lexi say that the living quarters assignments would be final? And yet Gen took the room that had originally been assigned to Sam, and now my best friend has to room with the minions.”
That’s true. “You’re right.” I sigh. “But you heard Carole. I don’t think complaining about things will get us anywhere, Tal.”
“You should listen to Taryn, Talia. She might be a slut with an exhibitionist streak and a penchant for stealing other girl’s boyfriends, but she isn’t stupid. I’m guaranteed to make the team and to be named captain. But I didn’t need my mom to join the trainers. You’re forgetting that my daddy is one of the people who are paying for all of this. Do you think there’s any way that they would cut his daughter from the team he’s funding?”
Whether we like it or not, Genevieve is right.
“So if I were you,” she adds before strutting away toward her friends. “I would treat myself with the respect your future captain deserves. And you, Taryn. Stay away from Mack.”
I roll my eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you that Mack and I are just friends?”
“Bullshit,” Gen bites out. “I see the way you look at each other. Just know that Mack has only ever loved me and eventually he’ll get bored with you and dump you faster than an old pair of skates. Don’t come crying to me when he’ll pretend he doesn’t even know you.”
I don’t dignify her with an answer. “Let’s go get our training uniforms, girls.” I tell Talia and Jodie.
Training camp might be harder than I anticipated. Genevieve sees me as her biggest rival on the team. And she thinks I’m after her ex-boyfriend. Her connections make her not only a shoo-in for a permanent spot on the team but also pretty much untouchable.
The feeling that I have a target on my back is hard to shake as I leave the arena with Jodie and Talia by my side.
CHAPTER TWENTY
ALL KINDS OF FUCKED UP
NASH
Scrimmages are usually my favorite part of training, but today I went through the motions, letting my muscle memory guide me. My head is not in the game.
Not by a mile. I have no one else to blame but myself for the mess I’m in. I did what I vowed I wasn’t gonna do and broke my resolution to keep my head strictly in the game before the season even started.
My head is still in Vaughn’s bathroom last night as I skate past Mack on a breakaway after dodging Davis, one of our second line defensemen.
“Nash, over here.” Colsen is wide open on my right, but I ignore his call.
I’m barreling toward the crease at breakneck speed, ready to face Tucker, who is laser focused on the puck at the end of my stick.
My slapshot is as sloppy and unfocused as I feel, as my head is not in the game.
The puck goes wide, flying over the boards into the spectator section.
“Belkin!” Coach Harrison barks after blowing on his whistle until his face turns purple. “What in the ever loving fuck was that? Where’s your head today? You’ve been distracted all practice. Whatever is the matter, you better snap out of it. The mini tournament our sponsors have organized begins in two weeks, and unless you want to be eaten alive by UCLA, you need to focus.”
I hang my head. I know Coach is right. “Yes, sir.”
“But Belkin isn’t the only one who sucks,” Coach bellows. “Prescott, you’ve been off your game since day one. Don’t think I’m not gonna bench you if you don’t whip yourself back into the shape I know you can be in. Hewitt might only be a sophomore, but he’s talented. Unless I see some big improvement, you’ll be watching him in your crease from the bench. Is that clear?”
“Crystal, Coach.” Tucker’s gaze is fixed on his skates.
Coach Harrison gives us one last, disgusted look before shaking his head. “Hit the showers, ladies. And you better think long and hard about how you’re gonna step on my ice tomorrow morning. We’re the defending national champions and the team I’ve seen so far? We wouldn’t even have a shot at the playoffs. You’re all dismissed.” He yells with a scathing glare at the cameras that have been filming this whole shit show.
If there’s one good thing about the obsessive thoughts that have been running through my head since last night, it’s that I had totally forgotten that we were being filmed.
Usually that would have made me anxious to look good in case my future team is watching. Today I didn’t even think about that.
All I could think about was Taryn. Her soft lips, her big green eyes, her perfect tits and her tight silky pussy.
