Page 12 of Ice Wolf
“We need a social media expert,” Jonathan suggested.
“Yeah, someone well equipped to handle the situation including possible scandal.” Coach Cavanaugh rubbed his chin, looking off into space.
“What happened to Trudy?” I interjected. Trudy Albright had been the social media manager for the team since I’d been drafted onto it. The coach offered a hateful look after my comment. Okay, so Trudy and I didn’t get along. That was putting it mildly.
As soon as the coach grinned while walking toward me, I grimaced. “Well, you see. Here’s the thing. Trudy quit this morning.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I pressed her about providing a detailed plan of attack. She obviously didn’t like what I had to say. Her retort was… and I quote. ‘I’d rather be forced to live out of my car than to try and resurrect the pinhead’s career.’ Then she told me I could takethe job and shove it. Her parting words were wishing me good luck in finding anyone who would deal with your blasphemous arrogance. And she’s right. No one in their right mind can tolerate your arrogance. You aren’t the only member of this team, but you certainly act like you are.”
“We’ll have trouble hiring someone on short notice. We’ve got the playoffs to consider. If we make it there,” Jonathan added.
“We’ll beat the Devils. They’re a shit team,” I spouted off. That wasn’t exactly true. The Denver Devils were neck and neck with the Wild Dogs about who was on top. Mostly because of their goalie, Rocco Lorenzo, a huge brooding Italian. The two of us had sparred from the beginning, even getting into a huge brawl the last time we’d competed against each other.
The man was a walking, talking asshole.
Coach Cavanaugh turned his head in my direction. “You’re not the only member of this team, Masters. We have a huge problem, one you’re not taking seriously. I’m tired of your playboy mentality and your lack of attention to detail.”
His gruff words hit me hard. What the hell was I supposed to say? I was the reason we’d started winning games instead of sucking down booze after yet another loss. Fuck this.
The three men started discussing the possibilities. Then the coach raised his voice, suggesting I’d need to go through some intense physical exam.
After that, the three men got into an argument.
Listening to the banter was doing little more than giving me a headache. They didn’t need me for this. Besides, it was muchmore important to get some time in on the ice. Maybe then I’d calm down.
I headed toward the door, stopping long enough to study their body language. Yeah, they were pissed off.
So was I.
As soon as I walked into the corridor, a crackle of electricity hit me hard. Not as hard as kissing the girl a couple of nights before. Why the stupid act popped into my mind was questionable other than that my brain needed a getaway from the insanity.
But sweet Jesus, she’d had the softest lips and had smelled like sunshine and strawberries.
I tried to concentrate on the beautiful moment in hopes of shedding some irritation as I headed into the locker room.
“Well, well. Look who it is,” Pete hissed. Peter ‘The Puck Magnet’ Carter, a guy who’d never shied away from his hatred of me. “The dark-haired savage. Or maybe we should just change your moniker to the Werewolf. Maybe Beast of the Moon?”
“Cut it out,” Eric snapped. “He doesn’t need that shit.”
Eric Daniels was an alright guy, his position as a winger positioning him as much in the limelight as I was. His moniker suited him. The Enforcer.
My jaw clenched as I studied Pete. He and I had never gotten along. This was his perfect opportunity to take my spot on the team, something he’d whined about more than once.
I nodded to Eric in appreciation. Too bad he had a hint of trepidation in his eyes. Why? Did he really think I was going to turn into a snarling wolf and bite his head off?
Sighing, I chose to ignore the comment, heading to my locker.
“What’s the problem, beast man? Too good to talk to one of your teammates? Or just pissed your secret is out in the open? You’re such a fucking pussy.”
Maybe I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did, but the guy had gotten under my skin one too many times. Spinning around, I tossed him against the opposite locker, wrapping my hand around his throat. When I lifted him in the air, a snarl roared up from my chest.
“Whoa. Whoa. Saint. What the fuck are you doing?” Eric said from behind me.
“Teaching this fuck a lesson.” Oh, I was close. Fucking close. Shifting right now would put an end to my career with a solid exclamation point. Everything in my body tingled, the desire to turn greater than normal.
And just like what had happened before.
