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Coach gets our attention by clearing his throat. “I know we had a rough patch with losing Jack.” The team doesn’t seem too bothered. “He will be missed. And Zane is out.” He takes a moment to breathe. “Anyone heard from Caleb?”

His question is met with some grunts and murmurs. “Okay then. Look, we will figure it out. Declan, you’re playing captain today.”

I don’t need to ask who’s disappointed. Declan’s the kind of guy who walks into the locker room and demands respect without asking for it. I have seen how he has been talking to his teammates since I got here. Hell, I respect him, and I barely know him. He gives the team a nod, his lips curling into that cocky smirk of his.

“Alright, Declan, your team now. Let’s see if you can lead these guys,” Coach says, and there’s a hint of challenge in his voice.

Declan just shrugs, his eyes scanning the group. “No problem, Coach. We got this.”

I can feel the energy shift as the rest of the team takes in the news. Guys start to shuffle around, adjusting their gear and glancing at each other. Finn, one of the Ravens’ top centers, grins and nudges Tyler, who’s standing next to him.

“Damn, Declan’s captain now? He’s gonna have us running drills all day,” Finn jokes.

Tyler laughs, rolling his eyes. “Guess that’s what happens when you’re the one who doesn’t suck, Finn.”

It’s clear everyone’s on edge. Declan’s got a rep for being serious about the game, but he’s also a leader. I guess that’s what makes him a good choice. I glance around, sizing up the team. Dean, Jake, and Marcus are all here. They’re all wearing their game faces, eyes sharp as they look over the rink.

Then, the real reason we’re all here comes into focus.

“This is Eli. First day. First practice. He’s trying out. We’re going to see how he fits in here. I hear he’s quite the player. Let’s hit the ice,” Coach says, already making his way toward the boards. “I want to see what you’ve got, Eli.”

I step out onto the ice, the cold biting at my ankles through my skates. It feels like home already, the sharp scrape of the blades against the surface, the rhythm of the skates cutting through the chill. I warm up quickly, getting my muscles loose, focusing on my form. The guys are already skating hard, getting into position.

Coach’s voice cuts through the chatter of the rink. “Eli, you’re first up.”

I nod, skating to center ice, where Coach has set up a series of pucks. Declan’s got the net. I’ve seen him play, and he’s damn good, but this is my time to show him and everyone else what I’ve got.

Coach blows the whistle, and I skate forward, stick in hand, eyes locked on Declan. I fake left, go right, and snap the shot off quick. Declan’s quick, too, but I place it just over his pad, top corner. The puck slaps into the net with a satisfying thud.

“Damn,” someone mutters from the sidelines, and I can feel the heat rise in my chest. That’s the kind of goal that gets people talking.

Coach whistles again. “How are you so good?” he asks, a grin pulling at the edge of his mouth. “I know you’ve got skill, but damn, you’ve got some finesse there. What’s your story?”

I skate back to the line, my breath steaming in the cold air. “I was captain at my old school,” I tell him, trying to keep it casual, but the pride in my chest is hard to hide. “Kept the boys in check. Lead by example.”

“Yeah?” Coach raises an eyebrow. “Well, that explains some of it. Let’s see what else you’ve got.”

I roll my neck, ready for the next round. I’m not worried.

Then, just as I’m about to take another shot, I look up. That’s when I see her.

Sienna. Coach Jacobs’ daughter.

She’s leaning against the boards, arms crossed, eyes following the action. She’s wearing a tight black hoodie with a Ravens logo on it, leggings that cling to her every curve, and sneakers. Her brown hair is pulled into a messy bun, and even though I’ve seen her before, there’s something about her today. Maybe it’s the way she’s watching me, or maybe it’s the way she’s looking right at me.

I try to shake it off, but damn, my focus wavers. I line up for another shot and take it, putting everything I’ve got into it. Declan doesn’t have time to react before the puck is in the net again.

Coach blows the whistle. “Alright, alright, kid. You’ve got skill.”

I skate past the boards, giving Sienna a quick look. A wink. But she doesn’t acknowledge it. In fact, she just looks the other way like nothing.

I grin to myself. Soon enough, I’ll have her eyes only on me.

“Alright, Eli. I need you to run one more drill tomorrow morning,” Coach calls out.

I nod, “Got it.”

I skate off the ice, my breath fogging up in front of me as I head for the locker room. When I walk in, I see Tyler sitting in front of his locker, already pulling off his pads. He looks up at me and smirks.