Page 62 of Racking Up Penalties
“New beginnings,” Ethan affirms, his smile filling the space with warmth.
It all makes a twisted kind of sense now—their rivalry, the tension, the way they’ve both fought to prove themselves.
It’s a miracle they both agreed to be around each other just to be with me. That’s something I won’t take for granted.
Chapter 29
I tap my stick on the ground, a sharp staccato that slices through the murmur of the locker room. Heads turn, skates scuff against the floor as the guys shuffle in a semi-circle around Liam and me. I catch the flicker of questions in their eyes.
This is the strangest thing I’ve ever done in a locker room.
“Thanks for coming in early,” Liam starts, his voice steady, the easy confidence of a born leader threading through his tone. There’s a camaraderie here, one he’s cultivated, but today I wonder how deep it runs.
Will it extend to me?
I swallow, feeling the weight of their gazes. “We have something to share,” I add, my words less certain than Liam’s. My grip on the stick tightens, knuckles whitening. This is it. The moment stretches, elastic and fragile.
“Ethan and I are more than just teammates.” Liam pauses, letting the silence swell before it breaks against the truth. “We’re half brothers.”
A collective breath seems to leave the room—a soft whoosh of surprise. I stand there, exposed, trying to read their reactions, searching for signs of withdrawal or judgment.
“Didn’t see that coming, did ya?” I attempt a chuckle, but it’s hollow, lacking his usual warmth.
“So you guys have a bad history thanks to your parents? That’s why you hate each other?” JD asks.
The words start slow, each one dragged up from a well of memories I usually keep sealed. “My dad… he had high expectations. Too high.”
The team shifts, their eyes flickering between Liam and me.
“His drive made me who I am,” I continue, feeling the weight of every stare. “But it drove a wedge between Liam and me before we even had the chance to know each other.”
“We’ve both had to deal with the fallout of our dad’s choices, his secrets. I hated Ethan just for who he was.”
“The point is, we let this affect the team so we thought we owed you an explanation. Going forward, we are friends and will be better teammates,” I say.
“Whatever happens off the ice,” Liam says, his voice firm, “it stays off the ice. We’ve got a season to play, and we’re here to win. Together.”
The silence hangs heavy in the locker room, all eyes on us. Then, from the circle of teammates, four figures step forward.
“Hey,” Miles begins, his voice steady and sure, “you guys don’t need to worry about a thing. We’ve got your backs.”
I know Liam and Miles are close so I’m sure it means a lot to him.
“Absolutely,” Luka chimes in. “You’re our brothers on this team. That’s what matters.”
JD steps up next, clapping a hand on my shoulder—a grounding touch that brings a sense of calm. “We’re a family, man. Nothing changes that.”
Luka and Alec nod in agreement.
The team circles us and I feel like I’m a part of this team now.
“Ethan is cut off now, for choosing to fix things with me. So, he needs the team more than ever,” Liam tells him.
Everyone slaps me on the back with words of encouragement.
My throat tightens, and for a moment I’m afraid the words won’t come. But they do, quietly at first, then growing stronger.
“Thanks, guys,” I manage, my voice steady as I meet each of their gazes. “It means everything to be on this team.”
