New fav?Asher looked at Davis, who met Asher’s gaze with an approving nod.
What’s next? Friendship bracelets and half-heart necklaces? I was seething. None of these dudes gave Asher the time of day before tonight’s game. Sure, he was an awesome hockey player, but they didn’t know that Asher had to work his balls off to maintain a solid GPA. They didn’t know he came from nothing and busted his ass all through high school to get a merit scholarship on top of an athletic scholarship. They didn’t know that, but I certainly did because Asher wasmyfriend.
MINE!
By that point, my head was about to explode. I swallowed hard and readied myself for the atomic blast that was about to pour out of my mouth.
“Yeah, it’s probably top-shelf,” I said to the redhead. “You see, Davis owes Asher for saving our asses during tonight’s game. Asher had to step in and finish the job because Davis couldn’t.”
I knew I’d fucked up the minute it came out, but I didn’t care.
Get your hands off my friend, prick!
Asher’s eyes bugged out of his head. The three girls surveyed us with wariness, and Davis looked like he was about to crack a tooth with how hard his jaw clenched.
Davis looked me dead in the eyes and said, “Those are strong words from someone who warmed the bench all night,Moretti.”
Davis released Asher as he approached, but I quickly wrapped my arm aroundMY BEST FRIENDand said, “I’m just saying, my boy stepped in and played a smart game. You knew you couldn’t overpower their center, but you kept trying because you wanted to be the big guy. Well, look what happened. It almost cost us the game. Asher stepped in and beat his ass with brains. Something you obviously lack.”
The girls slowly backed up, but stayed close enough to have a front row seat to the brawl that would likely commence. How did I get so heated? Why was I so mad? I didn’t understand it, but Davis was on my shitlist, and I was ready to throw down.
Asher pushed my arm off him and turned to face me. “Dude. That’s fucked up. Davis just recovered from an injury. Of course, he’s not playing at a hundred percent.”
I cocked my head to the side and cracked my neck.Intimidation, bitch.“He seems well enough to party and get his dick wet—wish I had seen this kind of energy on the ice tonight.”
Davis closed the distance between us and grabbed me by the collar. “You’ve got some fucking nerve, rookie. You don’t think I can make your life fucking miserable on this team? I’ve worked my fucking ass off. I got injured, and now you’re throwing it in my face? Embarrassing me in front of people? Do you want me to break your jaw?”
Asher stepped in between us, concern flashing in his eyes. “Guys. We’re on the same team. Let’s not do this.” Asher turned to me and spoke softly. “What the fuck has gotten into you?”
Fuck.What did get into me?What am I doing?
The simmering rage that had propelled me to challenge our starting center began to cool down as the reality of getting myass walloped by him, and probably the whole starting line once they saw the fight breaking out, started to dawn on me.
“Dude. I don’t know what that was,” I said to Davis.
And I really didn’t know what it was. As the adrenaline subsided, my mind began to swirl. He put his hands on Asher, and I almost choked him. Why?
I looked around, and a few people were watching us, waiting to see what would happen. Asher was still between us, but Davis could toss Asher out of the way at any moment. I braced myself for the attack. Davis and I were the same height. Could I take him? Sure, but I’d have the scars to show for it.
I finally stammered out, “I…I think I’m just…”
“Left out,” Asher blurted. “We were both talking about the shitty beer. No offense, Davis, I know this is your place and we appreciate the free beer, but I think Theo felt left out when you offered me the flask.”
What a prince. I owed Asher big time.
Davis’s jaw clicked as he stared at me. His eyes narrowed, and he said, “You pissed because I didn’t offer you some booze?”
I mean, yeah, but I was way more pissed about his hands being all over my best friend, but I couldn’t say that without seemingsuper fucking weird. It was a solid out, though, so I took the opportunity. “Look, I know I’m not a hotshot like you and Asher, but I’m still on this team. If you’re giving out the good stuff to a select few, maybe wait till the “bench warmers” aren’t standing right next to you.”
Davis raised a brow at me, then handed over the flask. “Point taken. That was my bad. I shouldn’t have ignored you, Moretti. My booze is your booze.”
I took a swig and thanked him. We fist bumped, solidifyingthe end of our beef, and he sauntered off.
When Davis was out of earshot, Asher whispered, “Dude, are you mad at me?”
“What? Why would I be mad at you?”
Asher eyed me cautiously. “Did you drink before this? Where did that come from? You nearly ripped Davis’s head off. Is it because I got some time on the ice? Dude, you’ll get yours. Tonight was a fluke. I got lucky. Davis is injured—”
