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Eli glances at me. “We running suicides or what?”

“Doubt it,” I mutter. “He’s got that smug-ass look.”

Eli sighs dramatically as we head inside. “Fuck me.”

We push open the locker room doors, and the second I see what’s waiting for us, I almost start laughing.

Two oversized, ridiculous-looking mascot costumes.

Eli stops short. “No. I thought you were kidding me.”

I stare at them. “You’ve gotta be kidding.”

Coach doesn’t even try to hide his grin. “Put ‘em on.”

Eli groans. “This a punishment or a fucking joke?”

“A little of both.” Coach pats his shoulder, way too amused. “I decided to make you two practice in these one last time, and you won’t be benched for the game. No mascots as long as there’s no more bullshit. Understood?”

Eli looks at me, giving me the eye that he knows Sienna talked sense into her dad. Thank fuck.

“Yes, Coach,” we say and then he walks out.

“I’d rather be running suicides,” I say. “Nah, I’m so tired I might actually take a nap in this thing.”

“Unreal.” He rubs a hand down his face.

“I’m embracing it,” I say, grabbing the ridiculous headpiece.

Eli glares. “You would.”

We get into the stupid suits, shoving our arms through the sleeves and strapping on the oversized heads. The fabric’s thick as hell, and I already know we’re going to be sweating through this entire practice.

I groan. “I can’t believe this shit.”

Eli says, “Least we’re not getting slammed into the boards.”

We shuffle out to the bench, plopping down with zero intention of moving.

The guys take one look at us and immediately burst out laughing.

“Oh, this is gold,” Noah wheezes.

Brody pulls out his phone. “Hold still. Gotta document this.”

Eli flips him off, the oversized mascot hand making it completely ineffective.

Thatcher snorts. “Holy shit, you guys look ridiculous.”

Coach claps his hands. “Enough. Get on the ice.”

The guys skate off, still snickering, while Eli and I sit on the bench, unmoving.

“This thing’s got padding,” I say, leaning back. “Might actually take that nap.”

Eli leans forward, elbows on his knees. “I ever tell you I fucking hate traveling?”

“Think you’ve mentioned it.”