Page 18

By the time we get to the arena, Alexandra still hasn’t called or messaged me. I clench my jaw.
She has to be ignoring me because I wouldn’t publicly date her. Is she trying to punish me? Is she just busy packing and hasn’t heard her phone go off?
The longer it takes her to respond to me, the angrier I get.
Warm-ups pass by in a blur of anger and impatience.
When we get back to the locker room, I grab my phone and head into the office to call her.
It’s no surprise that she doesn’t answer. This time, though, I wait for her voicemail to pick up.
Her voice is smooth like butter. “I’m sorry to have missed your call. If this is urgent, please call me at the office. If not, please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I’ll call you back as soon as I can.”
As soon as the beep sounds, I unleash all the anger that has built up over the past thirty minutes.
“Alexandra, answer my call, damn it. I don’t give a flying fuck if you’re pissed that I said no to publicly dating you. I’ve been patient and understanding, but that stops now. Stop ignoring me and pick up the damn phone.”
I end the call and take several deep breaths before redialing her number. When it goes to voicemail, I end the call and redial.
Over and over, I try to reach her, with each passing call causing me to worry more and more.
A knock sounds on the door before Rhett pokes his head inside. “We’re heading back to the ice. Are you coming?”
I glance at my phone before standing. “Yeah, I’m coming.”
I toss my phone onto my pile of stuff and follow the guys out of the locker room.
I’m on autopilot as the anthem is sung, and the game begins. I’m grateful hockey is a sport where I can take my anger out on the ice.
When a player on the Jacksonville Jays shoves Gage into the back of the net, I skate over to them and start swinging.
The referees blow their whistles and send me to the penalty box for roughing.
I roll my eyes and sit down on the tiny bench. Looking across the ice, I meet Coach Bobby’s gaze.
He’s pissed and glaring right at me.
Sure, I might have to answer for my actions, but right now, I just want to finish what I started.
And I will.
The two minutes go by swiftly. I take the bench and wait for another chance to take the ice.
The Jays player shoves Gage into the boards right in front of me and the rest of the team. “Why don’t you come do something about it, tough guy?”
I glance at Coach Bobby, hoping he gives me the go ahead, but he shakes his head. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Why the fuck not?”
The players beside me freeze, not believing I just spoke to Coach that way.
“Don’t start, Marino.”
“Someone needs to put the asshole in his place. Clearly, Gage isn’t going to be the enforcer he is supposed to be.”
Coach glances at the ice before turning toward me. I see the resolve in his eyes before he sighs and says, “Fine.”
When the players on the ice need to change, I jump over the boards and skate straight toward the asshole.