Page 40 of Puck Love

“When was yourlast?”

“I don’t know, like two daysago?”

“So if I asked you to piss in a cup right now you’d come backclean?”

“Go get me a cup,” I say adamantly.Fuck, I hope he doesn’t get acup.

“Alright, Ross. Don’t get your panties in a wad. Get your helmet, and get the fuck out there, but be careful. I got my eye on you, kid. I’m not gonna risk my star center because hockey gives you a boner and you’re busting a nut so you don’t getreplaced.”

“I’m good, Coach. Iswear.”

A few minutes later, I hit the ice. God, I’ve missed this—the cool air as it hits your face, the rasping scrape of my blades and stick tearing up the smooth surface, and the smell of the rink, sweat, and ice. I tear around my teammates like a manpossessed.

“Nothing better, man,” Torres shouts as I skate byhim.

I just nod. When Coach blows the whistle for practice drills, Eli skates toward me. “Dude, I thought you were supposed to get workedover?”

I’m out of breath already, and my shoulder hurts like fuck, but I’m not about to tell him that. “Coach changed hismind.”

He arches a brow. “You think it’s a goodidea?”

“Yeah, I’mfine.”

“Bullshit.”

“I said I’mfine.”

“Yeah, and I know you better than to take what you say at value offace.”

I laugh. “It’s face value,dick.”

“Tais-toi, imbécile.” Eli skates past me, shaking hishead.

“You know I don’t speak French, but I’m pretty sure that was you calling me anasshole.”

“Oui, exactement.” He grins and speedsaway.

We skate drills for the better part of ten minutes, and by then, we’re all sweating and out of breath but smart enough not to show it or Coach might make us do more. We separate into two teams and Eli stops in front of me, spraying ice all over my pads andknees.

“Nice, fuckface.”

“Who’s the hot piece of ass sitting with your brother,eh?”

“She’s not a hot piece of ass,” I snap. Eli grins.Shit. “I mean, she is, but don’t talk about her likethat.”

“Oooh, little protective, aren’tyou?”

“No.”

“She a bunny?” He hops about on hisskates.

I roll my eyes. “No.”

“A hook-up?”

“No.”

He frowns. “A possible hook-up?”