Page 40 of Skating to Him

As we headed toward Providence’s net, where all the action was taking place, I said, “Do you know Knight?”

“I do.” He kept his gaze straight ahead. “Talk later.” As he threw himself into the pack of players vying for the puck at the edge of the goal, he elbowed Knight.

Knight swung his stick out and cracked it over Mackenzie’s back, the stick falling to the ice in two pieces and sliding off.

Falling to the ice, Mackenzie grabbed his back. “Fuck!”

The ref blew a whistle and skated into the melee.

Everyone stopped.

“Holy shit.” I hightailed it to Mackenzie, fell to my knees beside him, and threw a glare at Knight. “You should get thrown out of the game for that, asshole!” I set my gloved hand on Mackenzie’s back and leaned in. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just smarts like a motherfucker. I think he hit me in the kidney.” He sat on his ass on the ice, his legs sprawled out.

A ref skated to us. “He okay?”

“I’m fine.” Mackenzie tensed his face, parting his lips. “Just need a minute.”

Knight blew past us with a new stick in his hand. “Next time you want to fuck around with someone else’s girl, remember this.” He smacked Mackenzie’s helmet with his gloved hand.

What the fuck?With my chest burning, I hopped to my skates, shoved Knight against the boards, and held him there with my stick against his chest. “Whatever the fuck beef you have with Mackenzie, you have to go through me first.”

“Why, you his boyfriend? Did he start fucking dudes too?” He scoffed.

Cummings grabbed my arm. “Dude, stop. Don’t get suspended.” He ticked his head toward Knight. “He’s not worth it.”

“You’re absolutely right.” I freed Knight, glanced toward Coach, who motioned for me to come in, and then skated to Mackenzie.

Mackenzie stood, planting his hand on his side and stretching backward and to the side. “That’s going to leave a bruise.”

“You and your bruises. I’ll help you ice it later.” I wagged my brows at him. Fuck, did anyone see that? I scanned the rink. Everyone was skating around, waiting on the call.

“Can’t wait for later.” He puckered his lips, making a fake kiss.

“Jesus Christ.” With a chuckle, I hung my head and shook it. “Let’s go. I might be headed to the sin bin.” But damn, it was fun flirting with him a little bit on the ice.

After the post-gameroutine and a pep talk by our coaches, we showered and dressed in our suits. As I slid into my coat, I glanced at Mackenzie, gliding his slacks up his legs. We had to talk about what had happened out there, how the hell this Knight guy knew him, and the accusation he’d thrown out. I’d also had yet to talk to him about the celly.

Ace, dressed in his deep-blue suit, stepped to me with this hand raised. “Thanks to you and Mackenzie, we pulled off the shutout.”

I slapped his hand. “Hell yeah.” Ace deserved it. He was on his way to a contract with the Red Wings. Which reminded me—I would probably be hearing from my agent any day now.

“So, The Club on Mill?” Ace glanced from me to Mackenzie. “You in, or are you too sore from that hit?”

Mackenzie’s gaze cut to mine. “I, uh…” He bit the side of his lower lip. “Hodge?”

Shit, he wanted some sort of confirmation from me. If I didn’t go, it might look suspicious. And if I went without him…that wasn’t cool. “Yeah, let’s go. It’ll be fun.” I plastered my best smile on my face.

“Good.” Nodding, Ace said, “I’m picking up Zoma, and we’ll meet you there.”

“Sure, see you later.” I glanced at Cummings, buttoning his shirt. “See you there?” It was a rhetorical question, and I wanted to get Mackenzie out of there so we could talk.

“Of course.” Cummings shrugged into his black suit jacket.

I slung my gear bag over my shoulder and up-nodded Mackenzie. He looked about ready to leave too. “Follow me out?”

“Yeah.” He grabbed his duffel and threw it over his shoulder. “After you.”

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