Page 35 of Shift Change

I blinked. “Uh, thanks? I mean, sorry?”

“Don’t apologize. We’ve all got hockey butts. Come on, time to carb-load.”

Downstairs, we had a typical pregame with lots of chicken, veggies, and pasta. The mood was subdued, probably because we were all waiting for the Sabercats to decide about the game. We sat with Gabe, Brody, Logan, and Riley. As if by silent consent, we kept the conversation light.

Criswell came in as we were finishing the meal. “Still no word on the game, boys. The Sabercats are dragging their feet because they don’t want to disappoint the fans, and both teams will take a financial hit if they cancel. They’re now saying they’ll decide by four, so go upstairs and take your naps.”

Harpy spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “If we play, will we get a chance to warm up beforehand?”

Criswell nodded. “If the game happens, they’ll delay the starting time until eight o’clock. Since the Sabercats were able to skate this morning before the snow got crazy, the ice will be ours as soon as we can get there.”

“Fucking Sabercats.” Heads turned toward Mikhail Abdulov, who was eating alone. “I owe Reinhart good beating. He leave stupid SaberDome missing teeth.”

“Can it, Abby,” Criswell barked. “No fighting tonight.”

Everyone knew that order was a waste of breath, and the angry scowl on Abdulov’s face made me pretty sure Reinhart would indeed lose a few teeth.

“Go back upstairs now,” Criswell said. “We’ll text by four to let you know what’s happening.”

On the ninth floor, everyone split off toward their rooms. Holky slowed as we reached mine. “See you later,” he said, his voice quieter than usual. “If there’s no game, maybe we can hang out tonight.”

“Yeah. Sounds good.”

Inside my room, I stared out the window. The snow was coming down hard again, a wall of white hiding the city. It felt like we were alone, the Warriors, sealed inside this little cocoon while the rest of the world disappeared.

After a trip to the bathroom, I stripped and climbed into bed, but sleep didn’t come. I couldn’t stop thinking about Holky. I was on the edge of drifting off when there was a knock on the door. Thinking it might be someone with an update, I dragged myself up and swung the door open. My breath caught when I saw Holky waiting. His gaze flicked over me while he shifted his weight from foot to foot, dressed in gym shorts and a tank top. With a million possibilities shooting through my mind, I said his name and stepped back so he could enter.

“Hey, bud.” His voice was scratchy and low. “My room’s cold. Mind if I nap in here?”

Just like that, my heart went wild, trying to beat its way out of my goddamn chest.

12

holky

I’d been pacingin my room for fifteen minutes, wearing a path in the carpet and ignoring the perfectly made bed where I was supposed to be napping. Every time I got close to lying down, my chest tightened, and I sprang back to my feet like the mattress had a deflector shield. There was a storm in my chest—restless energy that made it impossible to sit still, much less sleep. I told myself it was nerves about the game, but that was bullshit.

I opened my door, then closed it again. Opened it. Closed it. By the fifth time, I was afraid I might rip the damn thing off its hinges, so I forced myself into the hallway. The overhead lights buzzed softly, and everything felt too still, like the hotel was holding its breath.

I crept down to Dog’s door, then waited like the coward I’d become. Who the fuck knew what I was doing? I sure as hell didn’t. The one thing I was certain of was that I didn’t want to be alone. Being near Dog was starting to mess with my head. It wasn’t only his smile, the way he looked when he laughed, or even how good he’d felt curled against me. Everything built into a pull I couldn’t resist, and the tension tightened every time we saw each other.

He was comfort and heat, wrapped in one infuriating, irresistible package. I’d made up my mind not to run from it, but damn if I could figure out how to run toward it. I had no idea how to stop this, which was fine because I didn’twantto stop it.

My heart hammered as I stared at his door.This is fucking dumb with everyone so close.Yet I raised my fist, and with the same explosive energy I used to rip slapshots, I knocked—three quick taps—then nearly bolted back to my room before he answered.

He opened the door slowly, hair a mess, dressed in nothing but boxer briefs again. My brain went offline while I stared at him, fighting for air and hoping like hell he couldn’t tell I was seconds from combusting.

“Holky.” His voice was low and rough, and I nearly fucking melted. His eyes widened slightly, then narrowed. His chest rose and fell a little too fast while his fingers flexed at his sides.

By some miracle, I managed to speak. “Hey, bud. My room’s cold. Mind if I nap in here?” The words sounded casual, like this was the most normal thing in the world instead of the craziest fucking thing I’d ever done.

He hesitated for a half-second, long enough to make my stomach twist, and then stepped aside to let me in. “Yeah. Sure.”

I followed him to the bed with my heart hammering so hard I was afraid he could hear it.

He turned toward me. “I’m surprised to see you. Didn’t expect to.”

“You didn’t?” Afraid I might collapse, I lowered myself onto the edge of the bed. Hadn’t he been thinking about me and what might happen? It had been whirling around in my mind every minute of the last twenty-four hours. Wasn’t he as wrecked over it as I was?

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