Page 60 of Ice Darling
“All I’m saying is, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m way too busy to be thinking of dating right now.”
“Then what was that at the Tuna?”
“That night, I was extra friendly with her because she’s the daughter of our sponsor. That’s all. It was purely business on my end.” Max wipes his eyes that had misted up from laughing so hard. “You’re down bad. Between you, Kinsey, and McLanely, I wonder who’ll tie the knot first.”
“It won’t be me,” I say firmly. “I’m never getting married again.”
His brows climb at my firm declaration, but before he can ask me anything more, the door kicks open.
“Mahoney!” Theilan’s voice thunders as he stomps into the office.
Three-quarters of the team barge in with him, and they all look furious.
Watson stands a little behind Theilan, his arms folded over his chest and his eyes narrowed.
“Guys.” Max shoots to his feet. “What are you doing here? Our meeting isn’t for another hour.”
“Weheard,” Theilan hisses. His voice is hot enough to melt the ice straight out of the stadium. “You’re kicking us off the team?”
Max winces.
I rise to my feet, hoping to calm things down. “No one’s getting kicked off the team, Theilan. The Lucky Strikers is evolving, and there will be a fair competition to?—”
“I don’t want a lecture from one of the ‘chosen ones’!” Theilan snaps.
I frown, but it’s not like he’s wrong. I understand what he feels. If my place on the team I love was jeopardised, I’d snap and bite at everyone too.
Max extends a hand to the team. “Guys, I’m sorry you weren’t able to hear it from me. But I had to make a decision. The Lucky Strikers got this far on camaraderie and love of the sport. But only the best of the best get to go with us to the next level.”
I turn back to give Max an “are you serious” look. If that’s the speech he’s been cooking up for weeks, it needs some serious improvement.
Theilan’s face turns a peculiar shade of red. “I’ve given myallto this team.” He stretches his shirt. “You think I was messing around here? I’ve skipped classes, got kicked out by my dad, and had to repeat a semester because I chose hockey over everything else.”
“We’veallgiven up something to be here!” Watson yells, stabbing his finger at the ground.
“Guys, just hear me out,” Max says, his face strained.
“Forget it!” Theilan yells. He takes his jersey off and slams it on the ground. “I’m done.”
Max stumbles back, dumbstruck.
“What do you mean ‘done’?” I demand.
“I don’t want to be part of a team that stabs people in the back,” Theilan spits.
“That’s not what’s happening.” I approach the guys. “Just hear him out.”
But the grumbling rises.
More dirty looks are flung my way.
“Guys, I truly want you all on the team. If you attend the scouting tournament?—”
“Screw you, Max!” Theilan storms out.
The rest of the team follows him.
I grab Watson’s arm before he can leave. “Watson, wait a minute.”
