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Unease simmers. There’s a reason Toren Kane has never bothered me as much as he does the others. And as much as I wish I could say it’s the way he helped Ro last semester or how good of a defenseman he is, it’s mostly centered around Paloma.

At first, I’d been almost raging with jealousy that I’d never show—but then I’d seen them at a party, him hovering over her like a protective brother. Helping her. And then it had been multiple parties—and it wasn’t jealousy I felt, it was relief. To know that one other person in the damn town cared about Paloma Blake enough to defend her.

To be there when she wouldn’t allow me.

The girls disappear before they come out of the tunnel and onto the coaching bench, close to me on the opposite end of LaBlanc and Harris, though the redheaded girl keeps her eyes on the newest coach for a long time.

My breath huffs out and I opt for pulling off my cage.

“Hey, P,” I offer as she steps closer.

“Hi, Bennett,” she says. “You remember my roommate, Lily?”

I nod to her, though she barely takes a glance at me before she’s stepping forward toward the boards with a hissed, “Hey.”

Toren looks at her over his shoulder and rolls his eyes. “Yes, doll?” he says, his tone sarcastic and cutting enough that I straighten at the pure venom.

“Watch it,” Paloma snips. “Don’t you have some puck to chase?”

Toren grins almost sinisterly, and I scoot slightly in front of Paloma, annoyed with him even looking at her like that. He tones it down just a bit but before he can reply, Holden slams into his side.

“A puck? Or a puck bunny? Gotta be clear with me here, Paloma.”

My stomach churns, and I toss my water bottle back in its spot before slamming my cage closed. I’ve been privy to Holden’s flirting with Paloma for three years now. Maybe I’ve reached my limit. Or maybe touching her skin again has awakened the possessive, desperate beast in my brain.

Lily looks almost close to tears, like the idiotic defensive pair have said something personally offensive, before her entire demeanor changes as Coach LaBlanc steps into the circle.

“Distractions in practice and you at the center, Kane,” he huffs. “Wish I could say I was surprised. Let’s go. Reiner, you’re back in net.”

We all break apart. But I do see Paloma take Lily’s hand in hers and usher her out. I’m still minorly confused that she brought her roommate to practice in the first place. But there is a softer feeling beneath it—something in my heart comforted by the fact that, for the first time since I’ve known Paloma, I know she’s not completely alone.

Maybe, for now, that’s enough.

• • •

Everyone should be gone, but as I’m doing my usual after-practice routine, I hear a stumbling sound and the low grunt of voices. Then Coach LaBlanc comes through the room, straightening his tie.

He eyes me for a moment with a quick smile and nod. “Great work today in the net, Reiner. Reliable as always.”

And then he’s gone. But the sounds continue: an irritating spitting sound, then a sink turning on.

Nearly done and fully dressed, I round the corner to see Toren Kane, pads off but pants still on, skates shucked along the tile like he rushed to pull them off. He’s spitting up blood, more of it dripping down over his eye like he took a blade or a puck to the face.

“Shit, Kane,” I mutter, brow furrowing as I step toward him. “Are you okay?”

Golden eyes darken as he sneers up at me through the mirror. “Get that fucking pitying look off your face, Reiner.”

He spits again, using his hand to cup water and splash it over his face.

“And get the fuck out of here.”

Chapter 24

NOW

Paloma

“And how is therapy going?”