Page 6 of Catch
He pats my head in retaliation, which drives me nuts. No one touches my hair except me or the woman I’m having sex with. Either way, touching the hair is a privilege. And when Ithink about the possibility of having to shave it all off, I get chills even though it’s a warm evening.
No way. Fuck that. We’re going to win, and Jett’s going to be the one in shock.
I try to imagine him with a shaved head, and damn it all, he’s still fucking pretty. Stuck up, know-it-all bastard.
Instead of thinking abouthim, I follow Silas and gather with my Cougar teammates to finish our warmup. Maddox is standing in front of the net, his hands on his hips, looking like he’s ready for battle. Mad is our goalie on the ice and today is no different. The intense scowl he’s known for is still in place, so I assume it’s going to be business as usual.
“Are you sure you’re okay in net?” Kayden asks Maddox. “Blocking a soccer ball is way harder than it looks.”
Maddox gives his boyfriend a gloved finger, and Kayden laughs in response.
“It’s not nearly as hard as blocking a puck. And we’ve been practicing all summer, so I’m more than ready,” Maddox replies with a smirk. “In fact, if hockey doesn’t work out, I think I’ve got another option in professional sports.”
I admire the cockiness, but give up hockey for soccer? There are very few things Idon’tjoke about and that’s one of them.
“Don’t even go there,” Kayden replies, shaking his head. “Take it back.”
Maddox crooks his finger and urges Kayden to come closer.
“Like I’d ever give up hockey,” Maddox insists.
Kayden leans down and silences Maddox with a long kiss, and the rest of the guys start whistling and clapping. When the awesome twosome is done sucking face, I see that Maddox is wearing a genuine smile. Seeing him like that is as weird as my earlier preoccupation with Jett.
Snap out of it.
Dane, our captain, along with Axel and Jace, two of ourbest forwards, gather around the net. We’re joined by the rest of the Cougars—Silas, Finn, Colin, Sean, and Bates, who’s a new addition to our roster this fall. Maddox leans down and grabs the nearest soccer ball.
“But I will say that I can’t stand these tiny gloves,” Maddox grumbles. “I feel like I’m a magician or something. Then there’s the cleats, which have no give, and the fact that I’m not wearing ten pounds of protective gear. And the size of this net is ridiculous. I mean, how high am I gonna have to jump?”
“So, my original question stands,” Kayden continues with a cheeky grin. “Are you good in net?”
“Of course I’m good.” Maddox nods. “Bring it on.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” I chime in. “What about you, Dane?”
“What about me?” our captain returns.
“You’re the only one playing against his boyfriend,” I reply and give him a knowing look. “Don’t let Jackson’s sexy body distract you.”
Dane uses his middle finger to scratch his chin in response.
“As if,” Dane scoffs and narrows his eyes. “Sexy?”
“You know what I mean,” I huff. “He’s wearing those tiny shorts, like Jett. Don’t let it ruin your concentration.”
“I think I can manage to control myself for one game,” Dane insists. “You worry about yourself.”
I ignore that comment and clap my hands.
“Alright guys, let’s do this!” I call out. “Let’s kick some Crew ass and show them who the best athletes on this campus are!”
We pump each other up like we do on a regular hockey game day, and then it’s time to head for the center of the field to get this game started.
By the time we signal for the Crew to join us, the sidelines are packed with students ready to watch us play. We’ve beenpracticing for this game, but for some reason I’m nervous as hell. This is only for fun, a friendly competition, something to brag about at parties. No one’s future career is riding on it, and yet with every second that ticks closer to the start, my nerves are so bad I’m all but jumping up and down like I’m on a trampoline instead of grass. The guys are used to my ADHD, but it seems that today, even medication can’t stop my spiral.
Why am I so on edge?
Okay, I hate losing, and the thought of possibly, maybe, having to cut my hair even more. But still. It’s hair, it’ll grow back.
