Page 193 of Breaking Point
“We both know you’re more than just my assistant.”
I close the door on a wide-eyed Bella, smiling at the sound of her voice as she curses.
I’m going to make this woman fall for me, even if it’s the last thing I do.
The image of Bella’s flushed cheeks and wide eyes stay with me all through our pre-game skate. In the lockers as we get ready. Even as I skate onto the ice with the arena chanting, “IceHawks.” All I can think about isher.
It’s a miracle I’ve played as well as I have. The guys in the locker room always talk about who’s distracting them and how it fucks with their heads, but I seem to be the opposite. Even justknowing Bella is in the arena watching me, cheering me on, urges me to play the best I can.
I’m like a kid again at my weekend skates trying to impress my parents.
IwantBella to be proud of me.
My thoughts of Bella snap away as the player who I have been dreading seeing from Michigan Bulls skates past, spitting, “Got any more love declarations for us tonight, Crawford?”
Keeping my eyes forward, I ignore Chase as he skates near me again.
Prick.
Chase mother fucking Montgomery. The sexist, cheating pig who is up for my spot on the team. My temper flares. Chase has always been a foul-mouthed player. I’ve just never had it turned toward me before. I’ve never given players anything to talk shit about. They tried all the general insults with my mom and family but it never sunk in.
Kieran skates past me as the player throws another insult my way. Ice sprays across my leg as Kieran stops beside me. “Just ignore him. They’re amping up the lip because they’re panicking.”
“They’re panicking because they’re losing. They should spend their energy skating, not shit talking.”
Kieran shrugs, a grin spreading. “Sometimes dipshits never learn.”
“Facts.”
Kieran and I settle into the zone as the puck drops, the referee’s whistle blows, and we shoot off. The twin devils are at play as we charge the ice. Michigan once again can’t get their defensive shit together to stop us.
This is the easiest play-offs I’ve ever played.What the hell is going on with their defense?
I skate left, Kieran just behind me, not too far away that I never lose sight of him out of the corner of my eye. And like the idiots Michigan are because their ego and anger are getting the better of them, they set their sights on me.
I’m about to take a hit to the board when I quickly flick the puck behind me.
The pain that explodes through my body as I’m slammed into the board by not one but two players makes my teeth rattle and black spots spark in my vision. It’s worth every moment, though, as that buzzer blares in the arena, alongside Kieran’s distinctive whoop and howl.
I’m smiling wide as I look up at the board to see ten seconds on the clock with a score of 4-1.
We annihilated them.
I push off the board, my body letting me know that I’m going to feel that hit later. Chase skates past me again, bumping his shoulder into mine as he spits at my feet.
“Let’s hope you don’t kill another loved one. Would be a shame to lose that pretty face of hers.”
I turn to him slowly. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”
He holds his arms out to his sides. “You fucking heard me. Maybe make sure she buckles her seatbelt before?—”
He doesn’t finish the sentence.
Because in the next breath, I see red.
My gloves are off, my helmet flying. His head snaps to the side as I tackle him to the ice and make blood spray.
Chapter 50
