Page 121 of The Penalty

We fucking lost. Again. But Rhys didn’t get the goal. I’m not a traitor. That’s the biggest relief.

Ridgeway managed to get one past me. It’s over. It was a battle until the end and I’m fucking exhausted, but it’s done.

I get up and as much as I want to be happy for Rhys. I need a minute to be disappointed, so I don’t look at him. I don’t want him to see me not happy for him.

The crowd is loud as fuck, people cheering and banging on the plexi in celebration of their team winning.

I start heading for our bench, ready to get my gear off when someone crashes into me and wraps his arms around my shoulders.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, Teddy Bear.”

Rhys.

I close my eyes and sigh, hugging him back. I didn’t know I needed this right now. It feels weird in all our gear, but it’s him and me.

“Good game.” I force the words out and pat his back. We can’t make anyone suspicious out here by holding on to each other for too long, even though that’s exactly what I want to do.

Rhys puts his gloved hand on my helmet and knocks his head against mine. “I’ll talk to you in a few minutes, okay?”

“Yeah.”

He taps my helmet again and skates back to his team. The entire Gods team is on the ice, celebrating as they should be. I make it to the bench, one of the coaches opening the gate for me, so I don’t have to try to get over the wall with all my shit on.

“All right, boys. You played an amazing game. I’m damn proud of you. Let’s go congratulate our competitors on a good game and get out of here.” Coach looks everyone in the eye, then leads the way.

He meets Coach Hawke in the center and we all slap gloves in a line with the other team then head back to the locker room.

I helo-cock-ter to celebrate. The guys just laugh. But Osha stares a little. He’s probably thinking about what a size queen I am. We’re going to bond over that I just know it.

Getting out of our stuff is basically an art form at this point, we all do it on autopilot. It’s quiet as we go, getting showered and changed back into our suits. I refuse to put on dress shoes though, and slide on my fancy green Crocs.

“I can’t believe Coach lets you get away with that.” Blondie nods at my shoes.

“It’s a goalie thing, you wouldn’t understand.”

Checking my phone, I open my messages from Rhys.

Top Me: Tell your guys to come meet us for drinks.

Pretty sure that’s a terrible idea. None of these guys are going to want to go hang out with the team that beat us.

That Ass: y

Top Me: Team bonding?

That Ass: sounds like a trap

He sends me a location and I tell the boys that’s where we’re going without telling them we’re meeting anyone. It’s either going to be fine or a huge fight, I guess we’ll figure it out together.

That Ass: do i need 2 hide my fone again?

Top Me: Probably not a good idea. You’ll forget where you put it once you have a few drinks.

That’s a good point.

“All right boys, bus is ready to go,” Coach yells through the locker room.

“We’re going out, Coach!”

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