Page 34

Chapter 34

Aiden

“Man…” Cameron rests the beer bottle on his kitchen counter, pity filling his face. “That’s fucking messed up. I’m so sorry.”

“Tell me about it,” I mutter, picking at the wrapping on my bottle. “To think I believed she was innocent. Fuck.”

Cameron shrugs. “Well, I did warn you to take it slow. I don’t know, she seemed like a nice girl, but there was something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Now I know.”

I sigh harshly.

“And now I understand why your game was so off this morning.” His expression hardens. “Dude, the semis are this Friday. If we fuck up, we miss the nationals. Don’t forget what’s at stake, not just for the team.”

“Yeah, I know.” Playing a shitty game means losing potential spots on any NHL team that might have their eyes on me.

But if I lose, Dad’s blackmail will be useless against me.

I twist the bottle in my hand, staring down at it, deep in thought. All of this, everything I’m currently going through, it’s all because of my love for the game. I should just walk away. Start over. Put my software engineering degree to use, instead of chasing a dream. Maybe Mom was right all along, that hockey is a simple hobby, nothing more.

“What’s that look for?” Cameron asks.

Lifting my gaze from the bottle, I meet his concerned stare. “Thinking of letting this shit go.”

His brows lift. “You’re not talking about hockey, are you?”

“Yes, hockey.” I slam the bottle on the counter, frustration lashing me.

“This has been your goal for the last four years; are you sure about that?”

“Fuck, I don’t know, okay? It just feels like I’m fighting a battle that I’ll lose eventually. No matter how hard I try, this uphill climb keeps getting steeper and at this point, I’m about to roll right back to the fucking bottom. I can’t fucking handle anymore.”

Cameron sighs softly.

“Don’t fucking look at me like that,” I chide.

“Like what?” he asks, frowning.

“Like you pity me. I don’t need anyone’s pity.”

“I don’t pity you, dude. It’s been a hell of a year for you and I understand your frustration. I see your hurt.” I scoff, catching his meaning. “Aiden, I know you better than anyone, even your parents. You can act pissed off all you want, but under all that anger, there’s pain. You cared for that girl and she fucked you over. It’s okay to admit that. It’s okay to admit how much it affects you.”

My chin falls to my chest as I huff a shuddering breath. It’s only been a day since I discovered Scarlett’s true colors, so I haven’t yet processed it.

Well, until now.

Cameron pats my back as waves of anguish roll inside me. To think I believed I was the bad guy all along. Scarlett played me. Fuck, I fell for the devil in disguise. I scrub my face, telling myself I’ve never cried over a woman before, and I sure as hell won’t start now. Scarlett doesn’t deserve my tears.

She doesn’t deserve a space in my head.

“Dude, whatever you decide, I’ll support you one hundred percent. I can’t deny that I’d look forward to you staying in Rosedale, though. There are plenty of opportunities that could make you a shitload of money. Maybe not NHL money, but you’ll be loaded, anyway.”

I nod thoughtfully as his doorbell rings. While grabbing another beer from the fridge, a few of my teammates file in, with Noah leading the pack. He beelines toward me with a fierce expression that makes my grip tighten on the bottle.

“When the fuck did you plan on telling us the news, huh?” He jabs a finger in my direction. “I was right. That little bitch had it out for us the entire time.”

“Get your finger out of my face.”

Noah scowls, but he drops his hand. “You owe me an apology,” he grumbles.

“I owe you shit,” I snap. “So we’ve confirmed she’s behind it. Fine. Let’s fucking move on.”

“Move on?” Noah scoffs. “Nah, dude. I’m just getting started. She’d been messing with us all this time and we should really return the favor. No holds barred—”

His expression flares as I get in his face. “You so much as glance in her direction and I swear to God; I’ll reign hell down on your ass,” I warn.

“Oh, screw you—”

“ Try me, motherfucker ,” I growl. “Stay the fuck away from Scarlett.”

“I don’t know about these guys but I’m sick of you two fighting,” Cameron grumbles.

Someone pulls me back, giving Noah a chance to put some distance between us. “She betrayed you, yet you’ve still got a hard-on for her. Fucking pathetic.”

“Do you want revenge on Scarlett? How about focusing on winning the game, getting to the finals. For whatever reason, she’s been trying to stop us from making it. Let’s beat her that way. Picking on her, making her life hell, that was so fucking juvenile and I blame myself for starting this shit. Right here, right now, I’m ending it. If any of you lay a hand on her, you’re going to answer to me.”

The kitchen is dead silent, all eyes trained on me.

“Tomorrow, we’re getting on that rink and playing the best fucking game of our lives, understood? Nothing—not Scarlett, or anyone else—will stand in our way.”

“Hell, yeah,” Odean agrees, stepping forward. “We’ve got this, captain.”

Cameron raises his bottle. “To the championship!”

“To the championship!” everyone cheers.

Except Noah, who turns the bottle to his lips without a word, the scowl still planted on his face. Our eyes meet, the fury within his depths evoking an uneasy sensation inside me, making me worry for the girl who broke my heart.