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“Probation,” Reid adds quickly. “But it’s not the kind of drama we need right now.”

“That really sucks,” I say, taking the water from Reid. “I bet Coach Bryant is furious.”

“Livid.” Reid takes a swallow of his beer. “But there’s no such thing as an obstacle free season. We’ll pull through.”

On the screen over the bar, the game comes back on and both guys are drawn back in. Twyler and Reese are still engrossed with one another and I let my gaze travel over the room. That’swhen I notice Axel sitting at a high top table, alone, a plate of hot wings in front of him. He’s got his own glass of clear liquid in front of him. Unless it’s straight vodka, I’m pretty sure he’s drinking water too.

He notices me watching him and his lips quirk. “See something you like, T?”

I have no idea what ‘T’ stands for, and after the last month, I don’t really want to know. Axel is notorious for handing out nicknames like candy.

“Want a fry?” He holds up the basket. Needing something to do with my hands other than hold this glass of lame water, I take one. The salty goodness is perfection on my tongue.

“Thanks.”

Now that I’m closer, I notice he looks different. And not just that godforsaken caterpillar under his nose. Even with it, he’s hot as fuck. All those dark tattoos peeking out from under the collar of his shirt and down his hands. The silver hoop in his lip draws my eyes to his sexy mouth, but his trademark easiness seems replaced by something that looks like exhaustion.

“What?” he asks, tearing the meat off a wing.

“You look miserable.”

He snorts and tosses the bone in the pile, then his tongue darts out, licking sauce off his fingers. “What gave it away?

“Well, for one, your shirt’s on–”

He holds up his hand. “Mike has a rule about the shirt at the Den. He’ll kick me out if I take it off.”

“Huh.” If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that if there’s a rule specifically created for you, it’s for a reason. “I also don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink water outside of a game.”

“You keeping tabs on me, T?”

I shrug. “I’m just observant.”

His clear green eyes draw away from the TV overhead and over to mine. “I’m guessing Twy didn’t tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

The green in his eyes darken. “That I failed a drug test and Coach put me on probation for the next three weeks.”

“Fuck. No! Seriously?” I drop to the stool next to his. “You’re the one that got busted?”

“So, she did tell you.”

“No.” I tilt my head over to the bar. “Reid and Jeff mentioned that a couple of guys got busted. No wonder they’re worried. I don’t know much about hockey, but I do know that the goalie is a pretty integral part of the team.”

He picks up the glass of water and takes a drink. “I’m not sure about worried. Pissed is more like it, especially Reese.”

I look over at the captain who is drinking a soda by the bar with his arm wrapped around Twyler. I know he keeps pretty clean during the season–only drinking occasionally and only when they’ve got a break in the schedule. He’s not letting anything get in the way of his goals.

“So, you’re sober now?” I ask.

He shrugs and nudges the basket of fries toward me. “Until I earn Cap’s trust back.”

I grab another. “Wow.”

“Epic fuck up, huh?”

“Pretty spectacular.” Not like I can judge fuck ups. I’m the reigning queen.