Page 48 of Top Shelf

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for being here tonight,” he says. “It’s because of each one of you that we are going to be able to get this league off the ground. I want to thank my beautiful wife, for dealing with me while I hone in on this project, and the rest of my amazing family for always being there.” He nods his head in our direction, and we all cheer. I love this. Being part of the family. Feeling like I’m supposed to be somewhere, rather than imposing.

“I also want to thank each and every player on this ice,” he says, holding his hands out in the direction of both teams. “Thank you for taking time out of your schedules to get back on the ice tonight. And with all that said, let’s have a great game!”

The crowd cheers, and the announcer takes the microphone back. Each player is announced, and the crowd cheers equally as much for the other members of the team as they do for the ex-pros, which I find adorably heartwarming. A few rows away from us sits a group of pre-teen boys, cheering and screaming Tyson’s name, and I realize it’s his team. I love how much those boys have come to love him in the few short weeks he’s been working with them and how much he loves them right back.

Then the announcer gets to Hayden, and my jaw ticks.

“Joining us all the way from the West Coast is hockey lover Hayden Cowl! Hayden is a member of the board and one of our platinum donors. Give it up for Hayden Cowl!”

The crowd cheers, and I want to throw up. I jump when I feel someone squeeze my fist, and I look at Lo.

“You okay?” she mouths. I force a smile and nod.

Finally, it’s time for the National Anthem, and then the game begins.

It goes off without a hitch for the first little bit. Everyone is laughing and cheering, and Levi has scored twice in the first two periods. As to be expected, he still glides around the ice like an angel, but I can’t help but notice how in-tune with the game Tyson still is. I remember watching him when we were teenagers, thinking how sexy he was with all that intensity in his eyes. Turns out, Istillthink he’s sexy with all that intensity in his eyes.

To my unpleasant surprise, though, Hayden is also playing like he has something to prove. He played in an adult league when we were back in California, but I didn’t think he’d stack up like he is so far here. And it’s getting on my nerves. Every time Tyson has the puck, Hayden glides toward him, and I hold my breath. And then every time Tyson passes it, I let it go. I know Tyson can handle himself. I just know what Hayden is capable of.

With a minute left on the clock, Levi gets the puck again. He drives it down the ice toward the goal, passing it to one of the other players on his left. The player passes it back, and I follow Levi’s eyes in Tyson’s direction. Levi passes it to him, and Tyson gears up as Hayden is hauling ass in his direction. I hold my breath, bracing for impact, but just before Hayden reaches him, Tyson shifts forward, slapping the puck and scoring a goal, sending Hayden hurtling into the glass.

The crowd cheers for the goal, but Tyson and Levi both skate over to Hayden. We watch as they both stick a hand out for him to help him up. He takes Levi’s, and once he’s on his feet, he glares at Tyson with a look so possessed and slow that I want to storm out onto the ice. I see Tyson hang his head and laugh as Hayden skates away dramatically, and then Levi throws his arm around Ty, leading him off the ice. Just as the crowd is clearing for the bathrooms and snack bar, MaryAnn makes her way back to us.

“Would y’all like to come see the players?” she asks. “Families are allowed in the locker rooms.”

“Yes!” Harper shouts, and we all stand up to follow her. I take my place at the back of the line, feeling like that’s the rightful place of the “fake” girlfriend, following them down the steps and through the same door we came in. As she leads us through another hallway, I stop when I see a restroom.

“I’m gonna run to the ladies’ room quick,” I tell the group. “I’ll be right out.” They keep walking down the long hallway and through the door at the end. When I’m done, I walk back out of the door, and my stomach flips when I see Hayden leaning on the wall across from me. What the fuck is he doing here?

“You enjoying this, Sadie?” he asks, his voice cool and low as he twists his stick in his hand.

“What?” I ask.

“Are you enjoying humiliating me in front of all these people?” he asks through gritted teeth.

I swallow. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I’ve felt this way before. A voice inside of me is screaming for me to get out. Get anywhere away from here. With people. Witnesses. Just go.

But my feet are frozen in place.

“What are you talking about, Hayden?”

He scoffs and taps his stick against the wall.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about, Sadie. With the whole fake-boyfriend act, pretending like you’re one of the fam,” he says, pushing off the wall and taking a step closer to me. I know what this is. I recognize it. He’s mad that he was made to look inferior out there on the ice. “The little dramatic fake kiss was cute,” he adds. “You’re a fucking child.”

“And you’re done talking to her,” I hear Tyson say from behind Hayden. Hayden whips his head around, then rolls his eyes and chuckles this demonic little laugh.

“Jesus,” he mutters. “Who do you think you are, Calway?”

“Doesn’t matter who I am,” Tyson says, taking another step and reaching out for my hand. He pulls me slightly toward him so that I’m behind him, and then he stands up even straighter. “It’s time for you to leave her alone. You’re done here.”

Hayden’s eyes go wide and wild as they jump back and forth between me and Tyson.

“You can’t speak for yourself anymore, huh? Tight leash he’s got you on. Guess you forgot how good you had it,” he says, reaching a hand around Tyson, his hand reaching for me. But before he makes contact, Tyson swats his hand away.

“Sadie, back up,” he says without turning to look at me. I swallow and do what he says.

“But, Ty—”

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