8-2. To firefighters.
The locker roomdoor closes and Barrett’s voice cuts through the stunned silence.
“Well. That was a fucking disaster.”
Before anyone can respond, the chirping starts.
“Eight goals!” Rodriguez throws his helmet. “To guys who drive ambulances and help old ladies with smoke detectors!”
“Their goalie works weekends at Home Depot,” Anderson adds.
“Captain’s biggest emergency this month was a stuck garage door,” Roman shakes his head.
Barrett’s stare could melt steel. “Malone. Explanations.”
“It wasn’t that bad?—”
“Wasn’t that BAD?” Luca explodes. “Remember last month? ‘Baby, watch me work. I’ll put on a show just for you.’”
“That model at the charity gala,” Brody grins. “‘Trust me, I always deliver in clutch moments.’”
“‘I never disappoint,’” Anderson mimics in a high voice. “‘I’m a professional.’”
“Real professional today,” Rodriguez laughs. “‘I always rise to the occasion.’”
“Yeah, you rose alright,” Roman adds. “Rose right to the fucking bench.”
Barrett crosses his arms. “You’ve been telling us for months about your moves, your game?—”
“‘She just needs to see what she’s missing,’” Zach quotes.
“‘I’ll wear her down with charm,’” Luca adds.
“‘Watch me turn on the Malone magic,’” Brody continues.
“And then she sings one song and you forget how to skate?” Barrett’s voice is incredulous.
“Look—”
“Remember the Instagram model from last week?” Rodriguez interrupts. “‘Sweetheart, you’re about to see why they pay me millions.’”
“How’d that work out for you today?” Anderson grins.
“‘I’ll score one for you tonight,’” Roman mimics. “‘Front row seats to greatness.’”
“You scored alright,” Luca laughs. “Scored them eight fucking goals.”
“Their best player works at a medical supply warehouse,” Zach adds. “Drives a forklift!”
“And he made you look like a bantam league scrub,” Brody piles on.
“Months of ‘watch me work’ and ‘I never miss,’” Anderson lists off.
“You missed everything today,” Roman adds. “Including basic coordination.”
The guys are warming up now, getting into that rhythm where they feed off each other’s energy.
“‘Ladies love a winner,’” Rodriguez quotes. “‘And I always win.’”
