Page 42 of Ruthless Game

Something twisted in my chest, and I was sure that if someone had shot a puck at me, I would’ve let it sail right past me.

Where was I going wrong?

“Figure it out yet?” Asher asked as he joined me.

“When did you become Mister Wisdom and Shit?” I asked.

“That’s Coach Wisdom and Shit to you,” he told me, and I laughed despite myself.

“I’m—” I started to say, when I heard shouting.

“—saw her first, you motherfucker!”

That was Judah.

Asher and I looked at each other, pushing the door open to the locker room.

The twins stood, squared off and shouting. Judah’s fists were raised, Levi’s eyes flashed. Isaac was blocking Judah from his brother, while Jack stood in the center, arms up like he was refereeing a match.

“—always taking all my shit,” Judah was saying. “Ever since we were kids and you stole my teddy bear.”

Levi raised an imperious eyebrow. “What happened to sharing? And it doesn’t matter if you saw her first, she talked to me first.”

“Not this one. You can’t have this one.” Judah’s face had turned bright red. A vein popped in his neck.

“Why?” Levi seemed to be enjoying this, whatever this was.

“Stop it, both of you. Jesus.” Isaac looked like he wanted to throw both of his friends in a dumpster and set fire to it, like one of those memes girls used when men behaved badly.

“You don’t fight over women,” Jack announced. “The two of you have never fought over women. Take a breather, work it out.”

“She has more than enough holes to go—” Isaac started to suggest.

“Don’t you fucking—” Levi shoved past Jack, gunning for Isaac. “I don’t care how long we’ve been friends, I’ll destroy you, Silver.”

“No one will be destroying anyone in my locker room.” Coach, who had followed us in, seemed unamused. “I don’t care what is going on with any of you. Wassersons—both of you—don’t make me send you out there for a second bag skate. In the showers, both of you. Feldman, Silver: Why the hell are you two even here? Don’t you have your own teams now?”

Jack and Isaac both opened their mouths, but Coach shook his head. “I don’t want to hear it. Clear out. I need to talk to Lawson.”

“Not without me.” Asher had followed us in, and was standing there, arms crossed, once again assigning himself as my bodyguard.

“Why?” Jack laser focused on his brother-in-law.

“Here for moral support.” Asher shrugged.

“Fair enough. Boys—” Jack raised his voice, and as always, the rest of the original Core Four—what everyone on campus had called them—followed their leader. “You heard Coach. Go wash it off.” To Isaac, he said, “Let’s go find the girls.”

Judah and Levi shoved each other as they headed toward the showers. Isaac sighed, and he and Jack headed out of the locker room, door swinging behind them.

Coach focused on me. “Lawson, scouts from the Beasts will be at the game tomorrow. I know you’ve already been drafted, but your agent called me yesterday. One of their assistant coaches has been at our practices and doesn’t like what they’re seeing of your ice time. They’re considering rescinding your offer. So I’m going to put you on the ice for most of the game—Asher has already agreed. I’m not telling you to add pressure, but⁠—”

I cut him off, my heart racing. “But you are telling me so the pressure will force me to perform better.”

Coach’s smile was wry. “Exactly. Look, you were playing much better up until the end of that scrimmage, when you got lost in your head over something. So I suggest more of whatever got you in here feeling good, and clearing up whatever the hell distracted you toward the end.”

He pointed to the showers before I could reply. “Go rinse it off.” Nodding at Asher, he added, “You too.”

But I couldn’t. Wasn’t ready to shower. Even though I was exhausted from our skate, the idea of showering, putting on street clothes, and leaving the arena felt like quitting.