Page 115 of Off-Ice Misconduct
McKinnon.
Shit. He’s probably pulling out that damn wooden paddle of his, so it’s ready when I get home.Sigh.It’ll feel good to feel him on my ass, though.
Me
Yes, Daddy. No touching my dick. *saluting emoji* You won’t need your wooden paddle at all.
Except, I’m secretly hoping I get the wooden paddle. Fuck. My brain chemistry has been officially altered.
Wolf Daddy
Weird, then why is it right beside me, pretty puck bunny? *thinking emoji* Your ass is mine when you get home, and that’s just for daring to be away from me. Never mind all the demerits I’m sure you’ll rack up just by being you.
I laugh again but send a row of shocked emojis as if I’m surprised—I’m not.
Me
Hearts and shit, Wolf Daddy.
It might as well beI love you.
My heart beats out of my damn chest as I wait for a response.
Wolf Daddy
Hearts and shit, princess
I love you, too.
I stare at it for a long time. Will us two emotionless fucks ever say that out loud? Does our Ace and Luke code count?
I turn to ask Bender, but it’s Justin beside me. Bender’s who I ask about this shit. Now that he’s with Shep, is what we had over, too? Fuck. How can some things in my life be going so fucking good, while other shit is so terrible I want to rot in bed over it?
I miss my best friends. We haven’t talked much since I found them in bed together. Shep tried talking to me that day, but I dipped. It’s probably my turn. As soon as we get to the hotel, I’ll find them. I’m sure we can figure this out.
We’re losing. Bad. I can’t stand that fucking goose egg staring me in the face from the scoreboard. Especially not against fucking Portland. Their stats are the worst in our conference. Ugh. Coach is gonna be pissed. Not because we’re losing—though he never loves that—but we’re not even trying. It’s as if what’s going on with Shep, Bender, and me has infested the whole team.
As soon as we got to the hotel, I made true on my mental vow to find them, but when I did, I caught them sneaking into Shep’s room together. Calling them out for a second time was the very last thing I wanted to do, so I slunk back to my room, and flirted via text and then via video call (since my “bunkmate” was in Shep’s room) with Luke until he told me in no uncertain terms to “get some fucking sleep, princess”. Bender still wasn’t there inthe morning, and by the time we caught up at breakfast, I lost my nerve. What was I gonna say? I still think they’re a bad idea, and I’m grieving the loss of Shep and Huddy as a couple. Maybe they’ve moved on, but I haven’t.
We’re skating around out here like we’re in pee-wee, missing easy passes, letting their offense through. It means more fights out of frustration, more penalties than usual, and an overall demoralizing atmosphere.
“McKinnon,” Coach says as soon as we’re in the locker room after that gong show of a game. “Shower and change and get the fuck to the Coach’s office.”
Goddammit, but I knew that was coming. I hang my head because I’m letting this team down. I haven’t been present as captain or as house president. I’ve changed, they’re responsibilities I no longer want, but I have them until the end of the season, and I need to be an adult and buck up. I shouldn’t have taken so much on, but I did.
When I’m de-hockey-fied, I slink toward Coach’s temporary office, but not before texting with Luke.
Me
Your brother’s about to kill me. Bury me with my fave hockey stick, okay?
Wolf Daddy
What did you do, princess?
Princess.That means he’s not actually mad, too, even though I can hear his wolfish tone in those words.
Me
