Page 80 of Slap Shot Scandal
“Uh-huh. Right.” He skates away, seemingly unphased, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
Focus, Steele. You have to beat him this time.
Sucking in a deep breath, I visualize my blade crossing the finish line first.
I’ve totally got this.
Spinning around, I head to the back of the line. That’s when I spot her.
Harbor, in dark jeans that hug every curve and a navy blazer, looking as fuckable as ever. She’s standing behind the glass talking to Prince and a group of people, most likely community sponsors.
My chest tightens, and I square my shoulders, standing up taller. Not that it matters—she doesn’t even glance this way.
“Line one, ready?” Keller’s thumb hovers over his stopwatch and I hustle to the line, trying to get my head on straight.
I need to beat my brother. Now more than ever.
“And…go!”
I accelerate off the line, faster than the last two times. Body down, grinding, ice flying. Bennett’s a blur in the corner of my eye, but I try to forget about him. My only goal is coming across that blue line first.
No matter what.
“Bennett, 3.01, Weston, 3.03, Morrison, 3.1 flat.”
Fuck me.
I still didn’t beat my brother.
Sneaking a peek over my shoulder, I’m bolstered by the fact that Harbor’s not paying any attention to the ice.
“Cap, you gonna beat me today? Even once?” Bennett’s voice tips up and I’m beyond irritated.
“Letting you have this one, Puck Bunny,” I shoot back, although that’s not the truth of the matter.
I’m off my game and I know it.
“Aww, where’s the fun in that?” he taunts, ice spraying off his blades.
Doubling down, I suck in a deep breath.
You’ve got this, Steele.
Callum and Klein race and now I’m back on the blue line in position.
“And go!” Keller hits the stopwatch and I take off like a shot, wind cold on my face.
Arms pumping, I pivot and race back to the line.
“Bennett, 3 flat, Weston, 3.01, Morrison, 3.1.”
Son of a bitch.
Shaking the sweat from my hair, I sneak another peek at Harbor. She’s in her element, yapping with the sponsors and ignoring everything around her.
Thank god. Because right now, I’m a big fucking disappointment.
“One more shot, Cap.” Bennett bends down, making a big show of stretching, and I push down all my feelings.
