Page 37 of In the Danger Zone
“What did he do to you?”
I threw my head back. “I didn’t do that for me. I did that for Daisy.”
“Daisy?”
“My girlfriend.” The words sounded like heaven as I said them.
Murph narrowed his eyes. “This is all over a girl?”
“She’s not just a girl. She’smygirl. And that asshole out there thought he could screw with her. You think I was gonna let him get away with it? No fucking way.” My head shook as I grabbed the handle of my bag. “If he fucks with her some more, I’ll do the same thing.”
Murph let out a long breath, his hands on his hips. “What did he do exactly?”
“He used to give her shit in high school and he doesn’t seem to be giving up that habit anytime soon,” I said. “No, it was more than that. He was a fucking asshole to her and made her hate herself. And I don’t want my girl to hate herself ever again. I’m not letting anyone who made her feel like that get away with it, either.”
“You know I have to suspend you, right? I can’t let you beat up your teammate and get away with it. You’re one of our best players, but… Evan, you’re not playing for the next couple weeks.”
I shrugged lazily. “It was worth it.”
“Get outta here, idiot.” Murph pointed to the door. “And don’t even think about going near Asher and making it worse.”
“Good idea, actually.” I grinned at him.
“Wentworth.”
“It was a joke. I’ll let him recover. But if he goes near her, then you better get ready to suspend me again.”
Murph rolled his eyes. “If you weren’t so damn good at playing defense I’d kick your ass right off the team.”
I was still wearing a cocky grin. “But you know I’m the best, so you’re not gonna do that.”
“Just get out of here before I take you outta the game for the rest of the season, Wentworth. And I better see you all dolled up at that team dinner this weekend. You think because you started a fight that I’m letting you out of that?”
“Wait, what team dinner?”
Murph huffed. “Don’t you check your emails?”
“I don’t have my notifications turned on.” I shrugged. “I get a lot of emails.”
“Turn them on, dumb ass. You don’t remember the sponsors dinner? The one we did last year?”
I winced. “That’s so boring.”
“It is. Extremely. Which is why I’m forcing you to go. That’s part of your punishment.”
“Again: boring.”
“You can bring your girl.”
Okay, not boring anymore. “Huh. Okay. Yeah. Maybe I’ll go then.”
“There’s no maybe. You’re going. I’mmakingyou go. Just no fights in front of the sponsors. Not that Asher will be there,” Murph explained. “I can’t have a bruised and battered player sitting there. They’re gonna wonder what the fuck happened to him.”
I shrugged at him. “I have no problem explaining that I rightfully kicked his ass.
“Get the fuck outta here, Wentworth.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I left Murph alone in the locker room. He’d be busy finding someone to replace me for the next few games. I had been suspended before. I could deal with it again. Every minute I was forced to be off the ice would be worth it for Daisy, anyway.
