Page 44 of Heart Taker

“Silas, you’re first up with Dane.”

Not surprising. Damien was going to make me work my ass off as punishment for being late. Like I told him in that text exchange weeks ago, anything he could dish out, I could take.

An hour later, however, played out, wrung out, I was about to eat my words. Damien had pushed me harder than ever before. Not that I’d ever admit that to him.

“Do it again, Silas,” Damien called out. “And this time, don’t hesitate when you get near the net.”

I didn’t get a chance to respond given the high-pitched whine of his whistle in my ear.

And this was only day one?

I grabbed hold of the puck and made my way down the ice again, exactly as he’d instructed. My slapshot wasn’t like Jace’s or Dane’s but I managed to hit it hard. Hard and accurate. This time.

My teammates clapped behind me, and I raised my stick in response. I don’t think I’ve ever sweated so much as I did this morning.

When Damien finally called for a break, I downed a whole bottle of water in record time. Then another. My breathing came in fits and starts, like I’d been running a marathon, but at full speed. I used the bottom of my jersey to swipe the perspiration that rolled down my face.

“Towels are on the board,” Damien called out as he stared at me.

I followed his line of sight.

“Oh, thanks.”

I was so tired that I hadn’t even realized. I’d left mine in my bag, since I was already late and was rushing like mad to get to the ice. I skated over and swiped one of the white towels draped over the boards, breathing in the smell of bleach. My hair was soaking wet too, but I didn’t dare take my helmet off yet. This was a break, not the end of the day.

“Take fifteen, guys,” Damien called out.

Everyone but me skated off the ice. I waved at Finn, still trying to catch my breath.

“That includes you, Silas.”

I turned around at the sound of Damien’s voice.

“I’m good right here,” I panted. “I don’t dare pause or sit down.”

“Afraid you might not last the day?” Damien challenged as he drew closer.

I would’ve skated backwards, anything to keep the distance between us, but I was already up against the boards. Where the fuck was I gonna go? Thankfully, I had the towel in my hands to distract me.

“Not at all,” I replied as I wiped my face again. “I’m just getting started. I don’t wanna break my stride.”

“You did very good. Despite the late start.”

I ran a hand down my beard. “Sorry. My stupid fucking alarm.”

“I don’t accept excuses.”

I knew that. I bit my lip, holding back a sharp response. Instead, I nodded.

“You’re going to have to work at this pace for the entire camp, you know that, right?”

“Yeah.”

“If you want to get drafted, you can’t ease up. Not for a play, not for a second.”

“I get it,” I bit out.

“I don’t think you do. There are younger players hot on your heels, guys with just as much talent and drive.”

---