Page 10

“And playing as a team,” I reply, catching Tyler in my peripheral vision as he heads toward Archer, ready to take shots.

“All right, Morgan, I want you warming up your slap shot, as we discussed. And, Bryce, I need you for a second. I’ve had a last-minute rethink on a play since they aren’t starting with the line I anticipated,” Jon instructs.

“Got it,Coach.” I elongate the title and smile at him, and he lifts a brow in response.

One thing about Jon Morgan: he’s got good banter. But mine is better.

The second I reach Tyler, he rockets a couple of pucks my way, keeping at least a dozen to himself.

“What, are we on rations now?” I say, replacing my mouthguard and lining up in front of Archer, who’s focused in on us both.

It’s been nearly a week since Kendra walked out on Tyler, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t pleased about it. Though based on his mood, I’d guess it’s been that long since he heard from her.

Firing off another shot, which is easily saved by Archer, Tyler props his gloves on his hips. “There’s a whole bunch lined up over there.” He tips his chin in the direction of the benches, but doesn’t look at me.

“Or you could just pass me half of what you have, and we can get on and quit fucking around,” I retort.

“No can do. I’m gonna need all of these.” He slaps another puck at Archer, and this one goes insanely wide.

I shake my head and look down at the ice. “Are we really going down this path again, Tyler? Are you not tired from your petty antics during college? Because I am. I’ve got a career to focus on.”

I slide a puck toward myself, sending a slap shot to the goal, which finds the top right. Even from back here, I catch the appreciative look on Archer’s face.

With a wrist shot that takes our goalie by surprise, Tyler squeezes the puck between Archer’s legs before he can get down to it.

Satisfied with his attempt, Tyler looks at me for the first time since that night at Lloyd’s. “Focused on your career? Could’ve fooled me,bro. From over here, it looks like your attention is on one thing only.”

I shake my head at him and blow out a breath. “Yeah? And what’s that?”

He hits another shot but misses again, and Archer throws his arms out in frustration.

“Kendra. But I guess that’s nothing new either, is it?”

A few more pucks land at my feet when Sawyer slides up alongside me.

“Thanks,” I say as he immediately turns and skates toward center ice.

I decide not to rise to Tyler’s bait as I begin firing off slap shots at Archer—some of them he saves and others find the exact spot I picked out.

Tyler speaks again after a few more minutes. “I’ll take your silence as confirmation.”

With my row of pucks depleted, I skate over to him as our goalie turns to face his net, grabbing his drink bottle.

“Let’s just keep this about hockey, yeah? We’ve never seen eyeto eye, and I accept that. You don’t like me, and I’m not exactly mad about you either.”

I continue skating past him.

“But you like her, don’t you? Just be a man and admit it.”

I spin around to face him, chewing on the corner of my mouthguard. “So what if I do? I’m not dating her, and neither are you. She’s a free agent and neither of our concern.”

Kind of my concern.

Approaching me, Tyler stops just before our helmets touch. In the crowd, you would either guess we’re good buddies, having a laugh, or the first ice fight of the season is close to breaking out.

“Oh, she’s always been my concern, and she absolutely is yours too. Even if it’s never been your right. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you checking her out. I don’t know what the rules are over in your country, but in America, we don’t make a play for another dude’s girl.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “In my country? Jesus, Tyler, I haven’t once made a play for Kendra. Shewasalways your girl and loyal to you. Even if you can’t say the same.”