Page 17 of The Chase

“T...” Noah trailed off.

I fixed him with a glare while I ripped off my jersey. Despite our slump, Noah had been playing the best he ever had. He was the only player on the team to get a goal in the past two games. Dude’s been on fire. I didn’t know what it was, but he was the only one showing up on the ice. Except for Metzy. Metzy kept getting the silver bucket after games because he was a brick wall in front of our net.

I scrubbed a hand over my face and took off the rest of my gear. I hated losing at home. Philly fans were no joke, and they’d tell you when they weren’t happy with you. You got used to the boos when you played in this city.

Coach came into the locker room with a grim look on his face. He definitely wasn’t happy with us. I wasn’t happy with my team or with my playing either.

Coach sighed. “Boys, that wasn’t the outcome we wanted tonight.”

I slumped down in my cubby and hung my head. I knew it was a team effort to fuck it up, but I felt the weight of failure on my shoulders.

“I expect better of you. All of you.” His steely grey eyes fixed on me for a moment, but then he moved onto our captain G. “But tomorrow’s another day, so rest up tonight because we’re having an early practice.”

None of the guys whined and complained about that because we all knew we deserved the punishment. We probably had another bag skate in our future, too.

Coach left, and G took to the floor. “Boys, early practice tomorrow, but I know we could all use a drink, okay? Unless you have a good reason, we’re wallowing at Eileen’s.”

I undressed the rest of the way and took a shower, but my mind was focused on all the shit I did wrong in the game. I was putting my suit back on when I saw a text from my sister.

ROX: You okay?

ME: Fuck no!

ROX: I can feel it.

ME: BS!

ROX: Okay no but Benny told me you’re in a bad mood. I’ll meet you at the bar.

I shoved my phone in my pocket and stormed off. Benny strolled along behind me. We carpooled to the game, so it wasn’t like I could go anywhere without him.

Tonight was the kind of shitty night where I wanted nothing more than to bury myself into a one-night stand. To find relief in a woman that I would never see again. The problem? I couldn’t stop thinking about the petite blonde who turned me down. I shouldn’t care. I should be banging bunnies left and right like usual, but every time the occasion arose, I wasn’t interested in chicks who looked at me with dollar signs in their eyes.

I climbed into Benny’s SUV and scrolled through Max’s social media.

“Dude, stop cyberstalking her!” Benny laughed while he pulled out of the parking lot.

I ignored him and continued scrolling.

A gorgeous girl like her wouldn’t give me the time of day. I really messed up. I should have asked her out from the get-go instead of being an asshole and ghosting her. I should have taken her on a date before taking her to my bed. She made it clear she wouldn’t give me another chance. It wasn’t like I deserved it. I should find a bunny to fuck all my angst into tonight. Find a warm body to make me forget all about her.

“T,” Benny sighed as he found a parking spot. “What’s with you?”

“I don’t know, man!”

He cut the engine and gave me a hard look. “Bro…”

“What?”

He sighed and rubbed a hand across his neatly trimmed beard. “You’ve made it known you fuck chicks and never call them back. I’m not judging you. That’s who you are, and the chicks you take home get that.”

I scowled. “What’s your point?”

“Why haven’t you slept with someone since Max? And why are you creeping on her social media all the time?”

I banged my head against the headrest. “I don’t know!”

“Bud, figure your shit out because you looked like garbage on the ice tonight.”