Page 13 of Breakaway (Nashville Knights Hockey #3)

Chapter Thirteen

DAX

Chloe

Good luck this afternoon!

Dax

Thanks

But it’s only preseason

I still want you to do well

I’m sorry I won’t see you after the game

Why won’t I see you after the game

Umm…

I mean, it’s fine if you don’t stay after

It’s not a big deal

Well, Erica and I have plans

What are you doing?

Do you want me to tell you?

Now I have to know

We’re going to a sex club

Oh

Erica knows a place

Cool cool cool cool cool

Are you okay?

I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that many cools at once

I’m cool

I mean good

Totally fine

You definitely don’t sound it

Can you sound like something over text?

I know you

So I can tell

I’m totally cool

I figured this list item would be easier to do with Erica

Sure

I get it

Totally fine with it

I might have to make a drinking game out of you saying cool or fine

Don’t

You need to keep it together if you’re going to a sex club

And you know, do sex things

I’ll be fine

You’re going to have to text me when you get there and when you leave

Hourly updates too

Someone has to keep track of you

That’s why I’m going with Erica

Devon is coming too

Is that her boyfriend?

Yeah

We’ll be good

You know you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to

I know

Just making sure

I’m good

You go worry about winning your game

Not worried at all, Sunshine

We’ve got it in the bag

I’ll be cheering you on from the stands

Thanks

“ D ax. Are you paying attention?”

“What?” My attention snaps to Marcus. “Yeah.”

“Then what did he just say?” Noah asks.

“Don’t be a dick,” I fire back.

“What’s got you so distracted?”

I clear my throat. “Focused on the game.”

I don’t need to tell the guys about Chloe’s plans. Even though it’s all I’ve been thinking about since she told me.

Hockey will be a good distraction. A distraction from thinking about what Chloe is planning on doing at the sex club.

“Dude. You really are distracted.” Bode whacks me on the arm.

“It’s the first game of the season. Give him a break,” Jasper defends.

“Thank you. Just trying to get my head in the game,” I say.

I push all thoughts of Chloe out of my mind and look ahead to our first opponent. Even though it’s preseason, it’s the first chance to see how all of us gel as a team on the ice. We’ve been practicing well together, but playing Seattle is going to be good for us.

They’re one of the stronger teams in the league this season. Coach Andrews has done a good job of preparing us for them.

I’ve been pushing myself harder than ever. I want to be the best player I can be this season. I mean, I do every year, but having gotten so close to the finals and missing out, I want to do everything I can to help get us there.

Not to mention it’d be nice to be better than my brother.

“Alright, men, listen up.” Coach Andrews calls our attention to him. “I know it’s only a preseason game, but this afternoon I want to see everything we’ve been working on in practice. We’re looking really good right now, and I’m excited to see how we put it all together for the game.”

Looking around, a thrum of excitement simmers in the locker room. Guys are nodding their heads and others bump fists with the guy next to them.

“Let’s have a good clean game and bring home a win!” Coach yells.

“Hell yeah!” Bode says next to me, bumping shoulders with me as we all start to file out of the locker room.

This is what I love. That energy before a game. The excitement is palpable. It’s a fresh slate. No wins and no losses. Everyone is on an even playing field.

Taking the ice, we hear the crowd erupt.

This is the best feeling as we’re cheered on by our fans as pregame festivities carry on around us. Before I know it, the anthems are over and the puck is dropping.

I take my place on the bench as the action starts. Maybe one of these days I’ll be on the first line. I’ve been working hard to get there, so we’ll see.

Marcus passes the puck over to Bode—whose stick work is impressive—as he moves down the ice. Between the two of them, they’re lightning out there.

The two of them have only gotten better the longer they’ve been playing together. I love having players like them on our team because they make everyone around them elevate their game, which is something I’m trying really hard to do.

Before they can score, we change out the lines and I’m on the ice.

Everything fades away around me as the only thing that matters is the stick in my hand and the puck on the ice.

Heading into their zone, I’m ready as our winger sends the puck to me. Seattle’s defensemen are good as they stop us from setting up our play. Chasing them down, it’s a battle to keep the puck out of the net.

It’s a game of back-and-forth for the first two periods. By the third period, Marcus has managed to score before our first line is pulled to rest as the other lines take the ice. Even though it’s only preseason, these guys are still fighting hard to show they’re an asset to the team.

Seattle pulls their goalie at the end of the game, but to no avail. One of our guys is able to score on the empty net, earning us a 2-0 victory.

“Not a bad start to preseason,” Jasper says, the two of us heading into the tunnel after shaking hands with the other team.

“Felt good to get back out there.”

The two of us are some of the last guys in the locker room as the press is already hanging around, asking questions.

One of my least favorite parts of the job.

“Dax. You looked good out there tonight. How’d it feel to be back on the ice?” a reporter from one of the local networks asks.

“Great. It’s always around this time I start to get antsy and want to get back to doing what I love.”

He smiles back at me. “How was it watching Marcus and Bode out there tonight? They were on fire.”

“They work well together on the ice. It’s going to be a fun season watching them play together.”

“Speaking of watching others play. You’ve been playing in your brother’s shadow for a long time. With him looking to rejoin the league, are you worried about his play affecting yours?”

Only years of media training prevents me from rolling my eyes and wanting to curse this guy out. Except that’s not who I am. Duncan? Yes. Me? I’m the calm, cool, and collected brother.

“I know any team would be lucky to have Duncan play for them.” Seriously, thank God for that training because I don’t know if I would be able to keep a straight face otherwise. “I’m going to continue to play my game the best that I can, and hopefully that will help the Knights win games.”

“Thanks, Dax. Good luck this season.”

“Thanks.”

As the media clears out of the locker room, I hit the showers. I let the warm water sluice over my body. It felt good to get my legs under me as the season starts.

I can’t wait to celebrate later with Chloe.

Oh, shit .

I can’t.

I guess the game was a good distraction because I completely forgot where she’s going tonight. I know she’s with Erica and will be safe with her, but now that gnawing feeling is back.

Like I shouldn’t be letting her go—but she’s an adult and can make her own decisions. I shouldn’t let my worries of her being unsafe or uncomfortable there get in the way of her doing what she wants.

That’s the whole point of that damn list. To do things that Duncan wouldn’t.

Does that make me like Duncan?

It’s not that I’m not supporting her, but she didn’t ask me to go with her.

Damn it. I don’t know why I’m so torn up about this. Shutting off the shower, I grab my towel and head back into the locker room.

“You want to grab a drink tonight? The rest of the guys are busy,” Jasper says. He’s buttoning up his shirt before grabbing his jacket .

“Sorry, I can’t. I have plans with Chloe.”

I make up my mind in that minute. I don’t care if Chloe sees me or not, but I’ll feel better knowing I am there.

“Even you have someone,” he bemoans.

“Sorry?” I question. “I mean, it’s not like Chloe and I are dating.”

“Yeah, but you’re still hanging out with her.”

“Get yourself a best friend then.”

“Like a dog?” Jasper looks at me like I’m an idiot. “I don’t need a dog.”

“I meant a person, but maybe a cat would work out nicely for you.”

“You’re not the first person to tell me that.”

“Who else is telling you that you need a cat?” I ask, grabbing my boxers to pull on.

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll consider it since all you guys are ditching me.”

“We’re not ditching you.” I drop the towel and grab my shirt. “Different priorities right now. You’ll find someone.”

“Have fun with Chloe.” Jasper claps me on the shoulder and heads out. The rest of the guys wave goodbye as I finish getting dressed.

I don’t have the first idea of where Chloe is tonight. There can’t be that many sex clubs around Nashville, right?

If I’m going to do this, I can’t look like myself. Thank God we had an afternoon game, because I need to make a stop before going.

And I know just the place.