Page 56 of Make the Play

My brain goes blank, and my body moves automatically. Before I can stop myself, I snap my stick against the ice, thecrackcutting through the rink like a gunshot that makes the guys all jolt.

“The fuck did you just say?”

Ryan whistles low. “Ohh, shit.”

Jake looks half impressed. “Did not expect that level of commitment this early.”

I point my stick out at Logan. “You don’t talk about her like that.”

“Damn,” he says. “Didn’t realize you werethatcooked.”

I shoot them all a look and then start skating for the tunnel. “I fucking hate you guys.”

Jake calls after me, grinning. “Ohh, he’swhipped.”

I don’t turn around.

And yeah, I definitely don’t hate the way it sounds.

***

The locker room smells like sweat, stale air, and whatever ungodly body spray Logan thinks counts as cologne. Gear’s everywhere. Pads, jerseys, half-peeled tape, and someone’s left their socks on top of the Gatorade cooler again.

After my grilling on the ice, the vibe is good. Cheerful. Laughter echoes off the walls, guys chirping over who missed what drill. Reid is sitting in full goalie Zen, looking like he hasn’t blinked once.

I should feel relaxed. But the second I clock Logan’s grin locked on me like a missile, I know peace is about to be stolen from my hands.

He stretches, arms behind his head like he’s easing into a long, luxurious rant. “So. Now that you and Zoe are, like, athing, I think it’s time we talk about the real issue.”

I don’t take the bait. I don’t even look up from my phone. “There is no real issue.”

“Thereisa real issue,” Logan insists, waving a hand.

Jake, still peeling tape from his wrist with surgical focus, tilts his head. “What’s the issue, Pooks?”

Logan grins like he’s been waiting all his life for this moment. “Their power couple name.”

I stop scrolling and close my eyes.

“Oh, fuck off.”

“No, no, this is serious,” Eli says, toweling off and pointing at me like he’s just remembered his civic duty. “If this is real—”

“Itisreal.”

“—then you need branding,” he finishes, ignoring me completely. “Something iconic.”

“Strong social imprint,” Ryan adds, nodding like he’s on a panel at a marketing conference. “High value.”

Reid, with all the enthusiasm of a man who would rather be anywhere else, doesn’t even glance up. “If we’re talking high value, you knobs aren’t part of the conversation.

Logan waves him off. “Okay, so, we take Chase and Zoe—”

Jake doesn’t even let him finish, eyes lighting up in glee. “Chaz.”

I nearly drop my phone. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, it’s Chaz,” Eli says, nodding with fake authority. “Has just the right amount of douchiness.”

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