Page 92 of The Penalty

“Not like you’ve let it effect your game. You’ve scored on him twice, right?” He shakes his head. “That’s got to make things funny after games.”

“It’s new. Playing each other has caused some hiccups.”

“You going to be okay playing him again?” Cox brings his drink to his lips, eyeing me over the rim.

“Me sure, him—” I exhale lifting my shoulders. “I hope so.”

“Goalies are weird man. Don’t let him get in his head about it.”

“Goalies are the best!” Wolfe, our goalie, shouts from across the room.

“It’s like he has super human hearing,” Cox mutters.

“I do! It’s part of the goalie mind meld. We have to hear the puck,” Wolfe shouts.

Cox rolls his eyes. “He’s just proving my point.”

“I’m not sure it will go well.” We haven’t discussed it. And I’m dreading that along with everything else looming over our heads.

Why can’t we just stay in our little bubble forever?

Size Queen: we 1!

Dick Tease: Congratulations baby!

He’ll be as drunk as I am in no time.

“So that’s where your head is at? You’re worried he’ll be fucked the next time we play them?”

“Is that why you brought me out and got me drunk, to pry?”

Cox grins. “You knew I had an ulterior motive from the beginning.”

“I guess that’s true enough.” I glance around. “Where is Oxley?”

“He’s coming later. He’s doing extra training or something off the books.”

“Can he do that?”

“As long as it’s not team sanctioned.” Cox pulls out his phone. “He should be here soon. I told him if he doesn’t come I’m joining the ice out.”

“Really?”

Cox shakes his head. “No, but sometimes a little peer pressure is good.” He takes the cup out of my hands. “Let’s get you another drink.”

“I don’t need one.” I wobble when I stand proving my own point.

“I’ve got to keep you drinking until you talk. And if you’re willing to tell me you’re fucking the enemy before whatever is bothering you, it must be really bad.”

“Fuck you!”

“You’re the one with the fucked up secret!” He walks over to the keg Wolfe set up in the corner of his living room and refills both our cups.

I join him, grateful for the distraction. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

“And yet, you’re talking about your boyfriend and not it.” Cox hands me the fresh beer.

“It’s just to do with family drama and my half brothers.”

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