Page 38 of Pucking Unhinged
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell us?” he blurts, wide-eyed, grinning. “You and Winter, man? You’re finally together? Kissing in public?”
I shrug, setting my gear in order, lining it up so I can put it on without thinking. “Sorry I didn’t call you to announce we kissed.”
The truth is, Hayden and Callum don’t share their personal shit, either. They’re too possessive of their girls for that. But with Winter…it’s different. Everything with her is sacred. Ours. The kind of thing I’d set the world on fire to protect. The idea of handing even a sliver of it over for someone else’s amusement? Fuck no.
Lucky for me, Hayden decides to make this about him.
His jaw ticks, sharp with irritation. “I know where this is heading, and if you so much as mention marriage to her near the fucking pond I’ll?—”
I smirk, cutting him off. “You’ll what? Throw a fit until Madi makes you a bottle of milk? No one’s stealing your wedding, Lockwood.”
“I’m probably going to. I bet I could get Mads to help me plan it just like yours,” Callum says, snickering until Hayden swings at him. He misses, but he’s still glaring at Callum.
That’s when something shiny catches my eye. A little bow charm, carved out of a bright, yet pastel pink stone, dangling from the chain around Hayden’s neck. I reach out and flick it with my finger. “What the fuck are you wearing?”
Hayden swings at me instantly, but I duck. His fist cracks straight into Callum’s face instead.
Chaos. Pure, ridiculous chaos. Hayden and Callum go at it, open-handed slaps echoing like fireworks in the locker room. Callum’s cackling even as his cheek burns red, and Hayden’s snarling through every swing until they both just look at each other in a silent truce. They back away from each other a few steps, acting like they weren’t just playing patty cake with each other’s faces.
“I like to keep something of Madi’s with me because I fucking miss her! Is that okay with you two assholes?” Hayden covers the charm with his big hand like we’re not worthy enough to look at it.
Callum doubles over laughing, a full handprint blooming across his face. Hayden slams his locker shut hard enough to rattle the metal frames. It’s not even a second later, a voice bellows through the whole room.
“Lockwood! I know that’s you. Knock it the fuck off and get your skates on. We’ve got a game to win!”
Coach Kav doesn’t even bother stepping into view. He doesn’t have to, because the entire room goes silent. Hayden mutters something murderous under his breath, glaring at every one of our teammates who dares look in his direction. Then he turns, jabbing a finger in my direction. “I mean it. I’ll fucking know if you propose there.”
He stomps off without his skates on, probably headed straight for Coach for another fight.
Callum’s still laughing, rubbing at the cheek Hayden smacked. “Worth it.”
I roll my eyes and tug the rest of my pads on, but the word Hayden tossed out lingers like a curse. Marriage. The pond. He said it like a joke, but all I can think is yes, and it needs to happen soon. I want Winter to be mine in every possible way. No waiting, no wasted time. I couldn’t give a fuck about parties or engagements or any of the noise that comes with it. If I could drag her to the courthouse today, I would.
But I also want this to be everything she’s ever dreamed of, and I know just the spot.
Callum leans against the bench, finally sobering, “You told her you love her yet?”
I cut him a look. “None of your fucking business.”
“I’m just saying.” He shrugs, all casual, but there’s weight behind his words. “Speaking from experience, there’s no perfect time. Don’t make her guess, man.”
The words stick, whether I want them to or not. It’s absurd taking relationship advice from Callum Grey of all people. But asI lace my skates, the truth digs into my chest. I haven’t said it. She deserves to know every single thought I’ve ever had about her.
By the time I push out onto the ice, the noise of the stands swells so loud it vibrates in my ribs. The crowd roars, and the boards tremble from the stomping of shoes. I glide out further and settle into my crease, and it’s comfortable here.
I look for Winter in her usual seat and blow her a kiss just before the puck drops.
The first shift hits hard. I can hear the crack of sticks just before the puck slams into my pads hard. I drop, cover, shove bodies out of my crease so they know I own it. My space. My net.
At the other end, Hayden and Callum are playing their stupid game of taunting the defense, passing the puck back and forth like they’ve got all the time in the world. Hayden dangles wide, drags two guys with him, then snaps it across the ice to Callum. Callum doesn’t even look before sliding it back. Tape-to-tape. Hayden fakes the shot, the goalie bites, and Callum buries it backdoor.
That’s one thing about Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb…they’re talented with a fucking hockey stick.
The crowd loses it. Callum slams into Hayden for a hug, both of them grinning like idiots, and I want to roll my eyes. They’re going to talk about this for the next two weeks, and I already want to be done with the conversation that hasn’t even started.
I reset. Tap my stick against the post. Because all of this, every save, every bruise, every second I’m on the ice…it’s for my girl who’s watching my every move.
I block two pucks, and when it’s up at the other end of the ice, I find Winter in the stands again. She’s glowing, lit up like she’s proud of me. My chest tightens. She looks so goddamn happy. Like she doesn’t have a single worry in the world. Like all the shit that’s haunted us doesn’t exist in this moment.
