Page 83 of Arresting the Hockey Player
It doesn’t feel like there’s much of an off-season. Even when we’re not in the middle of hockey season, we’re still lifting weights, training, practicing, and making sure that we remain focused.
“I don’t know how you do it,” I say. It feels like a struggle, but I’m getting by. It helps that I have a solid job that pays handsomely. I don’t have to worry about finances for my son or affording a full-time nanny as long as I’m employed by the team.
“Same way that you do.” Kyler pats me on the back as we head out onto the ice. “You got this. You’re doing great. Don’t let seeing Brass get under your skin.”
My teammate knows me too well. I always was closest to Jasper, but now that Kyler and I are both fathers, we’ve grown closer because of that connection. He’s been like a mentor, helping me figure out how to wind the legal system for custody and now raising my son.
Jasper skates right up to me and gestures toward the glass. “Looks like you have a hot date in the stands.”
What is he talking about?
We skate on the ice before the game for a few minutes to warm up, make sure our blades are ready, and we stretch it out so that we don’t pull a muscle when we start.
I glance in the direction Jasper had gestured when I catch her red curls. She’s seated in the front row next to the other team’s box. Her father probably got her those seats so that she could support the Island Bruisers.
She’s wearing a coat, so I can’t see whose jersey she has on underneath.
Is what he said true? That she’ll be working for them after graduation. My stomach coils just thinking about her being in Grant’s proximity. I don’t want him anywhere near her.
“We take Brass out of the game,” I say to Owen, keeping my voice low. He plays left wing up against Grant Brass, unless Grant manages to steal the puck and comes in my direction.
“I know you’ve got beef with the guy, and anyone who messes with my buddies deserves a beat down…” Owen lets the words trail off, “… but I can’t get ejected from the game.”
I bite my tongue. “You won’t. We won’t. Worst case, we get sent to the sin bin.”
Owen doesn’t even have to think about it. “I don’t usually like to play dirty, but sometimes you have to do what’s best for the sport.”
“What’s best for humanity,” I say. Although I don’t intend on killing him, I’m not a brute. I would like to see his face slammed against the wall a couple of times, maybe a bloody nose, and if I’m lucky, a broken leg or something that might keep him out of the game for a while.
But intentionally injuring a player isn’t how I play. I protect myself, my teammates, and go after the puck. If someone gets hurt, then so be it.
I’ve been good.
My lawyer wanted me to keep things clean, and I’ve played a little too nice over the past couple of months. I’ve followed his rules, his instruction down to the letter, to make sure I gained custody of Zayn.
There’s a fight brewing inside of me, building up and boiling to come out.
I’m scorching with the ice under my blades.
The game starts. I’m left defenseman, that’s my position, but I tackle it with grace, stealing the puck as often as possible, keeping the Bruisers from scoring.
Aiden is a fantastic goalie, but he’s our last defense to the goal. If Chase and I can keep the puck from coming near him, there’s less chance of scoring.
I check Conrad against the glass. As much as I want it to be Grant, he’s several feet from me.
He returns the favor, my back landing against the boards, but I keep playing, vying for the puck as we fight it out fairly on the ice.
“If you and your boys needed dates that badly, we could have loaned you some of our bunnies,” Conrad taunts.
I ignore his remark, stealing the puck and sending it to Owen as we move forward, attempting to score.
It’s a dauntless battle, the other team checking Owen into the boards. Kyler manages to steal the puck and sends it to Jasper.
I can’t hear what’s being said, but the Island Bruisers are throwing insults at us every chance they get. They’re trying to rile us up, but Jasper knows to keep a level head.
He’s used to the trash talk from other teams we all are accustomed to. It’s nothing new.
The only difference is that this time, we’ve rightfully pissed them off prior to the game. It’s not just about the battle on the ice. They’re trying to regain their pride. We made them look foolish in front of the press, especially when the news channels got wind of our surprise visit.
