Page 22 of Play Maker

“Take the shot over!” I called out when the puck hit the net. “And don’t choke this time.”

“Rowland,” Coach warned.

I should’ve watched my words. Instead, I skated over to Axel and got up in his face. If I was going to push my luck, at least Coach was around to referee.

“Why did you hesitate to take the freaking shot?” I asked.

“I didn’t,” Axel returned, pointing to the net. “Clearly.”

“I saw it,” I insisted. “You had momentum and then you didn’t. The puck barely made it in.”

Okay, I was exaggerating but I had to make my point. It was a valid one.

“Fuck you,” he muttered low under his breath.

“You wish,” I hissed, my adrenaline spiking.

Axel stepped closer, sweat trickling down the sharp angles of his face. His sneer had my temper running so hot I was sure Iwas going to combust on the spot. Instead of fueling the fire, I skated back to stand beside Coach and Axel started the drill over again.

The same thing happened when he approached the net.

Why was he stalling out? It was weird. And so was my interest in why he was doing it.

“Do it again,” Banning demanded.

Axel let out a loud growl of frustration but with each turn, he got better. But not as good as he needed to be. I was about to take my turn when Coach’s phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and a worried expression crossed his face.

“I’ve got to take this. Start on your circle passing drills.”

Banning glided off the ice. Axel and I were alone for the first time. No coach, teammates, or game to buffer us. He stared at me like I was shit under his shoe and I gave it right back.

“I don’t need your fucking advice,” Axel spat out.

“Suit yourself,” I bit back. “You keep assisting and I’ll keep scoring.”

Did I push things too far?

I got my answer when Axel dropped his stick and gloves and came at me.

CHAPTER 9

AXEL

Jace skated backwards and laughed. Laughed, that fucker.

“What did you say to me?” I bit out.

I lunged for him, and we slammed into each other and the boards, tussling like the idiots we were. I caught the scent of his musky sweat and something spicy, probably shampoo, and it bothered me that I even noticed. The fuck? I thought I had everything under control. Then again, I’d never been alone like this with Jace.

“Go on, hit me,” Jace dared me as I locked eyes with him.

The defiance in his gaze told me he wasn’t bluffing, but his sharp, quick breaths made me think he was all for show. He licked his lips nervously and my eyes caught on his mouth. For a split second, I couldn’t move or speak. I just stared at him like I didn’t know what I was looking at.

“Do it,” he goaded again, and I snapped back to attention.

Hit him? And throw away college and my future? I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Instead, I pushed one finger into his chest, or rather his pads, and shook my head.

“You’re not worth it.”

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