Calloway appears at the gate.
“Good work – very impressive technique.”
“They’re picking it up well.”
He nods and skates out to add some tactical work at the end. Behind me, near the gate, I hear Russo rejoin the group.
And then I hear Mercer.
MATEO
I’m pulling up beside Chen when Mercer skates past.
His tone is casual.
“So, now you’re obviously done getting your special treatment from the skating princess, maybe the rest of us can get a go.” He grins. “Swedish women are HOT. Might need some private coaching myself.” He winks at me.
I hear exactly what he’s implying. But also the dismissiveness of reducing her and everything she’s done for this team to that - and that thought bypasses every other rational thought I have.
I don’t decide to do it.
My fist connects with Mercer’s jaw before I’ve caught up to my own thoughts.
He goes sideways.
Then everything happens at once.
Mercer comes back swinging and catches me on the cheekbone. I barely feel it, I’m already grabbing his jersey, and someone is shouting and skates are everywhere. Then Barrett is between us with both arms out, and Grant is grabbing Mercer from behind. There are bodies everywhere and the ice is chaos.
“RUSSO.”
Calloway’s voice cuts through everything.
He has the kind of voice that has twenty years of authority behind it and has nothing to prove.
Everything stops.
I’m breathing hard, Mercer’s jersey still in my fist, Barrett’s arm across my chest. Mercer has blood on his lip. My cheekbone is throbbing.
The rink is silent.
Elida is at the boards.
And her expression is horrified.
I let go of Mercer’s jersey.
“Off the ice,” Calloway says. “Both of you. Now.”
ELIDA
I don’t move.
I stand at the boards and watch them go - Russo first, jaw tight, and then Mercer behind him, touching his lip. The gate closes behind them and the rink settles back into silence.
The team are looking anywhere but at me.
I heard what Mercer said.
