Page 43 of Lucky Sucker

We won by a single point that freshmen Mason scored after impressing Coach during training with the way it seemed like he was born with skates on his feet from birth. He could’ve lapped the rink with the way I flew on ice.

In the locker room, we were all celebrating the win, the atmosphere electric, and oddly pungent with body odor.

“How the fuck did you manage to fly by that enforcer like that?” Zachary asked.

Mason’s face turned red. “Well, my mom wanted me to be a figure skater,” he announced. “It’s not something I ever thought about, because I prefer this type of competition. It’s almost like dancing when you pass the opposition and they’re still trying to rush you like a fucking football player.” He snorted.

“Next game, you’ll have all the signs for you,” I told him. “They’re just about to start learning your number and name, trust me.”

He continued to blush. “Well, I’m focusing on the game, I don’t think I have room for a relationship.”

That sounded exactly like something I’d said before, in fact, I’d probably said it at the start of the school year as well. “Good game,” I said. “Now, everyone better be coming over to the Icehouse to celebrate. And remember, no alcohol. And I mean it.” It wasn’t my rule, but I was their captain, and responsible for them, even the seniors who were old enough to drink.

Coach came in minutes later with his congratulations and to second what I’d already told them. “Celebrate tonight, but tomorrow, more training. Make sure it’s not a late night. Ok, well, good game. Next week we won’t have the same fanfare, so just be aware that we won’t have everyone screaming for us.”

This wasn’t our first rodeo, we’d all played before, home and away, we knew what it was like. Some of the freshmen might not have been prepared for the large rinks and stadiums were visited at away games, but the ones close we were able to shuttle bus students to for support.

Once I was changed out into my sweats, I looked at my phone. The team chat was blowing up with emojis and buried beneath it all were messages from Wren. His name brought a smile to my lips.

Liam pulled my head under his arm playfully. “Your boyfriend’s waiting for you out there.”

With a swift slip, I went under and tugged on his arm, pulling it back slightly. “Come on now, you’ve gotta have faster reflexes.”

“Who needs those when I can stampede,” he laughed.

That was true, to be fair. “Alright, y’all,” I said to the players still in the locker room. “I’m heading out, I’ll see you at the house, remember, don’t be buying anyone alcohol, and Julia said she’s baked a cake. Probably one of those healthy ones, so don’t get too excited.”

Pulling a duffle bag of clothes onto my shoulder, I headed out of the locker room to see Wren with his head in his phone, typing away with his thumbs. He didn’t notice me, even as I approached him and placed an arm out against the wall at his side.

“God, you scared me,” he said, pushing out a pout.“That’s not fair. I was—” He tucked his phone away.

“What were you doing?”

“Making notes about the game. I’m surprised the freshmen were allowed to debut on the ice tonight,” he said. “I think I’m going to frame it as how much the team has been strengthened with the new blood. You know, get all the other teams scared. But you could’ve told me about him, I didn’t get him in my fantasy league.”

I kissed his forehead and pulled him into my arms, hugging him. “Yeah, except, you’ve got me, and I’m always going to be played, or I should be.”

Wren’s familiar smell at this point had such a comfort and ease to it. Like marshmallows, I wanted to stuff my mouth with him, and everyone knew how moreish marshmallows were.

“I just wanted to see you before you went off to celebrate with the team,” he said.

“I wanted to take you out for some fries and a shake, maybe, and then we can go celebrate together.”

His eyes glanced away, watching as his front teeth sank into his lower lip. “You don’t have to,” he said. “You’re the captain, you should be with them.”

“Truthfully, I know they’ve got a surprise for me, so I’m actually giving them time to prepare,” I said. “And again, another truth, I really want one of those big beef and maple bacon burgers they do at that diner near your place.”

He tried to pull me as he wrapped his arms around my body. “Ok, but only if you mean it. I don’t want to be a distraction.”

There was an immediate knot of guilt in my throat and stomach, wondering if someone had mentioned it to him. I hadn’t expressed it too much, or at all, I thought. But it was one of my fears, and I didn’t want him putting any stock in it.

“I mean, it’s why we barely saw each other before the game,” he added. “I guess that’s also because I needed you to do your best as well, I’ve got a fantasy league to win.”

Very true, and very cute. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.” I kissed his forehead again and pressed my nose into the little patch of hair swooping out of the beanie. That’s where the overwhelming sweet smell came from. My stomach rumbled. “First, let’s go eat.”

19. WREN

I knew that the idea of sex was something that could’ve happened tonight, it was still just an idea of it because I didn’t want to push it, and I didn’t want him to think I needed it to have a fulfilling relationship. The only thing that mattered to me was respect. The respect of him over what I liked, and my respect over what he liked.

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