Page 4

Bill Reeves created the South Dakota Devils three years ago, the league’s newest team, using the billions he’s made in soybeans since retiring from professional hockey.

We built this team together when he brought me in as Captain on an extremely lucrative deal, and this was the closest we have been to making the finals and getting a stab at the cup.

I’ve been lucky enough to win it many times before with my former teams, but to do it with this one would have been a dream.

“Bill …” Coach Barrett says as he watches the team’s owner accost his captain in front of everyone.

Bill’s eyes narrow on me, and I see nothing but anger behind them.

I’ve never seen this side of him before.

“You have no fucking idea.” He chuckles darkly at me.

I’ve seen him hot-headed before, but in this moment, I feel like if he could strangle me, he would.

We’ve become good friends over the years, building the Devils.

I considered him family, and we attend Sunday family lunch once a month at his home.

But this man I see now, I don’t know. “Looks like my golden boy is nothing but fool’s gold.

” With that, he slams me back into the locker and storms out of the room.

Everyone stares at me in shock but remains silent as if they can’t believe what they’ve just witnessed.

“Are you okay?” Coach asks once everyone gets back to getting changed so we can do cool downs.

“I let everyone down.”

“Emotions are high at the moment, and like Gus said before, we wouldn’t have been in with a chance if you hadn’t grabbed us that goal.”

“Until I fucked up.”

“You did in that moment, and the other team got lucky. Any one of you guys could have fucked up on the ice landing us in the same situation we are now, it’s just unfortunate it was you.”

“I knew better. What the hell was I thinking?”

“You can make yourself crazy debating the what-ifs over that play, none of them are going to change the outcome. Shake it off. Enjoy your time off, you’re getting married, you have so much to look forward to.

Then next year win the fucking cup. That will shut all the haters down.

Now, come on let’s get these old muscles cooled down.

Don’t want to pull a hamstring on your honeymoon now do we? ” he jokes.

After cooling down and having a shower, I get dressed and head out to the press conference.

One of the toughest things I ever had to do was sit there and have one person after another asking me in various ways what the hell I was thinking messing up like I did.

It was torture. But I get through it and head up to the owner’s box where there are drinks for the players’ and staff families.

I’m greeted warmly as I walk in by my sister, Collette.

“I’m sorry,” she says, hugging me tightly.

“Me too,” I tell her.

“Pierre, there you are. You look like you’ve been through it.” Michelle Reeves, Bill’s wife, walks over and greets me warmly.

“You could say that.”

“We’ll get ‘em next year,” she says, giving me a wide smile before looking over at Collette. “Look, I’m sorry about Bill …” she starts to say.

“Nothing to apologize for,” I tell her.

“He’s passionate.” She chuckles.

“That he is.”

“I’m sure nothing he says is going to be worse than what your inner thoughts are saying,” she adds quietly.

“You’d be right.”

“Things will get better. Something will happen and the news cycle will move on, maybe not the fans, their memories seem to be long, but the media will. Plus, you have your wedding to look forward to.”

“Speaking of weddings, where’s my beautiful fiancée?” I ask, looking around the suite.

Collette’s face falls. “She went home with her friends.”

“Oh.” My sister’s words sucker punch me.

“Things got a little rowdy in the suite, it was probably for the best. Keep that chin up, things will get better,” Michelle reassures me before going back to her family.

“Did Kitty seriously leave?” I ask my sister.

“Yeah, but to be fair, I think it was her friends that pushed it.”

I nod. “I need a fucking drink.”

“Come on, let’s get you one or two.” My sister smiles as we head over to the bar.

Eventually, I make my way home, the crowds have dispersed, and thankfully, people are not waiting for me to get their pound of flesh.

My driver drops me off at my door, and I walk in and drop my gear the moment I enter.

Frankston rushes toward me and jumps into my arms, at least someone is happy to see me tonight as I hug him tightly, he licks my face, and I didn’t realize how much I needed the affection.

“You’re home early,” I hear Kitty call out from the living room.

“Wasn’t much to celebrate.” I sigh as I walk toward her, desperately wanting to fall into her arms and hear her tell me everything is going to be okay.

“Not after you messed it all up.” I still. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was for me?” For her? “I had my friends with me.”

“Wasn’t thinking about you while I was out there,” I snap back.

“Looked like you weren’t thinking at all.”

“What the hell, Kitty? I had a fucking shit night, and I come home expecting my fiancée to be consoling me, except I get nothing but this attitude.”

“I’m not going to stroke your ego when you mess up.” She huffs.

“Wow,” I say, shaking my head, this is utterly unbelievable.

Kitty rolls her eyes. “Do you have any idea how many people have tagged me in shit about tonight. The comments on my photos I took at the game are full of hate.”

I can only imagine how horrible they are, my phone has been going off all night. “I’m sorry.”

“So, you should be.”

I hate fighting with her. I walk over to where she is sitting and take the seat beside her. I reach out, and after a couple of attempts, she eventually crawls into my lap. “I’m sorry I’m putting you through this.”

“They are so mean.” She sniffles.

I hug her tighter. “They will move on.”

“I sure as hell hope so. I will not tolerate this when it comes to my wedding content.” She looks up and warns me.

“Baby, they wouldn’t do that.”

“You promise.” She pouts.

“I won’t let them,” I reassure them.

This makes her smile. “I knew you wouldn’t. I wrote a statement that you can post to your fans about their harassment of me. I’ve emailed it to you.”

Oh. “I’ll check in the morning if that’s okay?” She doesn’t look happy with that answer. “It’s been a long night, I kind of want to chill.”

“Sure. That’s what I thought you would want to do. I knew you would want to be alone to brood about it so I’m heading out with my friends. I just wanted to see you before I left.”

I still. “You’re not serious?”

“Um, yeah. They all flew in to watch the game. I have to make the trip worthwhile somehow.”

“Of course you do,” I mumble as I pick her up and place her back on the sofa. “Go do whatever it is you need to do.”

“See, this attitude is the reason why I don’t want to be around you tonight. I knew you would be in a mood, you’re always a grump after losing a game,” she says, getting up from the sofa.

I’m too exhausted to fight with her. “I’d rather be alone anyway.”

Kitty gasps. “I know, but you don’t have to be so mean about it.” She turns on her heel and storms toward our room to get ready. Frankston jumps up onto the sofa and takes Kitty’s spot. He paws me, asking me to wrap my arm around him before snuggling in beside me. At least I know he has my back.