The other Vipers descended—their bellowing echoing around me. Every noise sounded like it had gone through an echo machine before hitting my eardrum. Voices argued, whistles screeched, but finally the medics arrived.
“We need room, kid. Stand back, and let us help him.”
No. I have to stay with him.
My body was paralyzed. This was my nightmare. Cody’s motionless body laid on the ice, and I couldn’t do a fucking thing about it.
No, no, no, no.
Someone’s arms pulled me back.
Asher turned me to face him. “He’ll be okay. They’re going to take care of him.”
They carried Cody’s body out on a stretcher, and I ran after him.
Theo grabbed hold of me. “It’s gonna be okay. We need you here, Rafael.”
Need me here? Fuck that! Cody needs me.
Coach approached, “I’m sending an assistant coach with him. He’ll keep me updated.”
Where is he?
I turned in the direction of the Thunderhawks and saw him. Twenty-four. He was going to the penalty box when he surreptitiously fist-pumped another Thunderhawk.
Twenty-four grinned like he’d just won a fucking prize. He was thrilled. He didn’t give a flying fuck that he just demolished my angel.
My body moved on its own as blinding rage took hold of me. The gloves were off. My helmet hit the ice with a thud, and I unleashed holy hell on that rat bastard right before he made it into the box.
My swings were hard and fast. I knocked off his helmet and started punching his face. His body crashed into the ice, blood splattering on the ice.
At once, hands were all over me. Another Thunderhawk slammed me in the face with his fist. The rest of the Vipers joined in, and what developed was a brawl you’d see at an MMA match.
Fists soared through the air, connecting with skin. The slapping sounds echoed off the glass.
Every ref was on us, screaming for it to stop. I pushed through the tangle of limbs and found twenty-four again.
I’m not done with you.
Actually, I was, because Coach rushed over and dragged me off him. I kept swinging because I wanted to teach that asshole a lesson.
The refs got everyone under control, but my arms kept swinging as Coach pulled me away. The most vile, viscous things flew out of my mouth as Coach threw me onto the bench.
“Get him outta here,” he yelled to the other assistant coach, Briar. “Take him to the locker room and get him to cool the fuck down.”
“I need to see Cody! Take me to see Cody.”
Briar looked at Coach, who responded, “Take him. He’s ejected anyway.”
Good.
I didn’t give a shit about the game anymore. Cody had to be okay.
Please let him be okay.
Chapter 40
Rafael
