Page 13

Max

The game was fucking awful. Just like Jarin predicted, they fought each other far more than they fought us. And since they were fighting each other, they also took every opportunity to take it out on one of us if they had the chance. By the time the second period rolled around Vanel wanted out, and Coach put me in.

I played, but every time they fucked with me, I gave back double what they gave me. By the end of the period, they knew better and stayed away when they could. We were up by three points, and it was more than obvious they didn’t care either way who won or lost. They were just there as placeholders for a real team.

“Good job, Hofstedder,” Coach said at the end of the period. “Let’s give Vanel the last period.”

I nodded and took a seat at the end before drinking a whole bottle of water. Ruben was busy with one of the guys, but I noticed him glancing my way, and could hardly wait to spend some time with him this evening.

Griffin slid off the ice and took a seat next to me. “Hey, how’s it going out there,” I asked.

“It’s nearly done. They’re just running down the clock. I’ve never seen a team that obviously does not want to play,” he said and tapped his stick on the floor in front of us. Since I knew for sure I wasn’t going in again I unclipped my leg pads and relaxed a little.

“Yeah, I don’t get it either. It’s a waste of time for us and doesn’t help either team.” The more I thought about it the more it annoyed me.

“Well, we did get to crack a few skulls,” Griffin said.

“Yes, we did.”

“Do you have plans later?” he asked.

“Maybe, I’m not sure yet,” I said. I’d already told Jarin about going out with Ruben and I still wasn’t sure why I’d done that. He was an asshole, but he was also easy to talk to and made me want to share more information with him. Griffin was a friend, but I didn’t want to mention Ruben until I knew if there was more going on than just the sexual attraction.

“I’m going out with a few of the guys if you want to meet up with us downtown. I can text you the details,” he said.

“That would be great. I might just stay in though,” I said and knew he wouldn’t buy it.

“Stay in alone? Or did you have company coming over?” He shoved his shoulder into mine making me laugh.

“Stop, asshole. I’m not sure yet. I made plans for dinner with someone but I’m not sure if we’re still on or not.”

“Good for you. Anyone has to be better than the ex,” Griffin said. He was one of the few people who knew about Joel, and he was never a big fan. “That guy was always too busy for you and then wanted you to go out as soon as he called.”

I wanted to defend Joel and say he was busy, but the more I thought about it the truer I knew it was. “He didn’t even tell me he was leaving until he was ready to go.” I shook my head at the thought. “It’s definitely better he’s gone.” Ruben was busy wrapping Wright’s arm when his eyes met mine and he winked. “Definitely better,” I mumbled.

The game ended with us winning and barely a rumble from the crowd that I was pretty sure was mostly our fans who’d made the drive. Even if they played like shit the win did help our average, so I guess it wasn’t a complete waste of time.

The drive home had taken so much longer than the ride there. Even if it was the same amount of time, it dragged on and on. The only thing that kept me sane was knowing Ruben was in the SUV behind us. By the time we passed Truckee I was asleep, and didn’t wake up again until we were slowing down to take the exit for the arena.

“Wake up, sunshine,” Jarin said as he shook my shoulder nearly shoving me out of the seat.

“You almost knocked me out of the seat,” I grumbled and shoved him back.

“We’re at the arena,” he said and slid out of his seat and walked to the front of the bus as we pulled to a stop.

Jarin was hot and cold. You never knew what to expect from him, but I was finding out he wasn’t the total asshole I thought he was last week when he picked me up on the side of the road. I mean he could have just kept driving.

The bus pulled to a stop, and everyone was up and slowly made their way off the bus. The SUV carrying the coaching staff pulled up and I forced myself not to focus on Ruben. But damn I really wanted to focus on him.

“Here you go, rookie,” Jarin said and shoved my equipment bag at me.

“Thanks,” I said but he held onto it and tugged me closer.

“Have fun tonight,” he whispered. My cheeks immediately heated up and I fucking wanted to shove him back, but I knew he actually meant it.

“I’ll try,” I finally managed to say before hurrying off to my car.

“Max,” Ruben said from behind me. I turned to see him hurrying to catch up. “Where did you want to meet?”

“Where do you want to meet?” I asked. I was so fucking happy to actually get to talk to him I couldn’t hold back.

“Want to meet at my place and we can get a ride to the restaurant?” he asked.

“Where do you live?” I asked and he explained he was nearby but in the opposite direction of my house. “I thought we could go to a small Italian restaurant near my house. But we can meet at your house if you’d rather.”

“We can do that next time. When did you want me to meet you?”

“Be at my house at six?” I asked, knowing that didn’t give us much time, but also knowing I didn’t want to wait any longer than I had to.

“Perfect,” he said, and he leaned in before catching himself and grinning at me. “See you at six.” He hurried to his own car, and I finally managed to peel my eyes off him and get in my car, anxious to see him later.