Page 59

Clark

S weat dripped down my back, as Coach Atkins called us in. I skated over to him with the rest of our group. The next group, ready to take our place on the ice, joined us. Training camp had been grueling, with the coaches working us to the brink over the past three days.

This wasn’t to get us in shape. We were expected to come ready. This was about showing the coaches what we could do for the team this year. I wasn’t sure how people who went on vacations right before camp, like JP and Tenzin, did it.

During the upcoming pre-season games, the coaches would pay close attention not only to how well we played, but how well we played with each other, and whittle it down to this year’s roster–not everyone here at training camp would be on the team.

Realistically, there were only a couple of open spots and several rookies, free agents, and Bantams fighting for them. For most of us, the Knights had the right to trade our asses at any time if they found someone better. So we had to keep that edge.

Mr. Longfellow’s heart attack had been bad, so Constantine was acting GM, and he’d been watching us, mostly with a blonde woman I’d seen around before, and a couple other suits, one of which might be the owners. The assistant GM before our previous one had come out of retirement to help out, too.

Castle skated over to me. Last year we’d gone to developmental and rookie camp together, played the tournaments together, and had even gone to training camp together. I’d stayed. She’d gone down to the Bantams, but she’d played some games with us last year. I grinned back. She had everything to prove and was giving it her all.

“As we come to the end of training camp, it’s time to name this year’s team captains. The skates Elias and Winston Royce left to fill are huge,” Coach Atkins announced. “This year’s captains are Nia Watkins and Jonas Seong.”

Everyone applauded, but it was a surprise to none of us. Especially since the other obvious choices, Pauley and Nakey, didn’t want it.

Nia gave a rousing speech about how we were going to win the championship again.

My group left for off-ice training, conditioning–and snacks. Tenzin and his group took our places on the ice.

“Clark.” Gwen stood there, in a pleated skirt, knee socks, slip on tennies, and my fucking sweater, which hung close to the hem of her skirt.

I had told her she could wear my clothes. I just didn’t expect her to look so delicious in public while wearing them.

“Gwen. Off to class?” It was Thursday. She had her fraud class today.

“Yeah. Don’t tell the Maimers but I just hid one hundred tiny ducks in their locker room. Anyway, I need to head to campus early today for a study group for data systems.” She gave the rink a wistful look. “Coach Kirov says we can join you tomorrow. Oh, for one of the scrimmages this weekend, they’re putting me and Ty in as goalies. Something about testing defense. Have you gotten your pre-season game assignments yet? I hope you play the one I’m on duty for.”

“I think we’re getting them after lunch,” I told her as everyone disappeared into the Knights' locker room, to change out of our gear and skates before heading upstairs. “You look great in my sweater.”

If only I had time to take it off her. I ran my hands up under her skirt, cupping her ass.

“Yeah?” She looked around, leaned in and gave me a kiss. “Hey did you ever get a necklace or ring, or anything, when they gave you goodies the other day?”

I blinked, frowning. “Um, I don’t think so. The bag. The training camp hoodie I gave you. There were a few other things. You can rummage through it and see what else is in there. A necklace would be fun.”

“Right? Earrings, too. Maybe I should see if the MASOs are ordering cute stuff. See you tonight.” She kissed me again.

I entered the locker room in time to hear one of the free agents ask about the ‘hottie in the knee socks’ .

“That’s Clark’s girl,” Anders joked as he changed, blond hair up in his usual man-bun. “Touch her and he’ll pulverize you in Go-goKart.”

“Hey, don’t sit on Lucky,” Dean yelled at one of the Bantams as they went to sit down.

Everyone started laughing. The Bantam looked baffled.

Nia looked at me. “Good for Ladybug. Aren’t goalies supposed to date hot people?”

The entire room erupted in guffaws, because clips of the commercial I’d done for Bare Armor had gone viral for my ‘hotness.’ I threw my towel at her.

Every day, Gwen and I grew closer. Tenzin had been so busy. Sure, he had stuff going on. At the same time, we seemed to be further back from where we’d been before the wedding. I had no idea what to do.

We went to conditioning and off-ice training, then the whole team gathered to eat in the dining room.

“Scrimmage rosters are posted for Saturday,” Coach Atkins told us. “Two EBUGs will be the goalies for scrimmage game B. You’ll meet all of them tomorrow and you’ll be seeing them around all season. The roster for the first two pre-season games is also posted.”

“I call Gwen,” Jonas laughed. “Nia, you can have Ty.”

“Eat my dick, Jonas, I get Ladybug.” Nia threw a wadded napkin at him.

Coach gave them a look. “You two don’t even know which EBUGs are playing. You’re also both on scrimmage game A.”

He talked a little about the EBUG program, then launched into the ‘ do not harass the EBUGs and it’s a bad idea to date them’ speech.

A couple of people smirked at me.

After I ate, I checked the roster. They assigned Tenzin and me to the same team for our first away game against Boston. The coaches would be mixing things up and figuring out the roster and the lines.

After we finished for the day, a bunch of us headed to Tito’s. I saw Tenzin going to his truck as I got on my bike.

“Hey, are you going to Tito’s?” I asked. “I miss hanging out with you.”

He shook his head. “Unfortunately, I have to take care of some things.”

“I get it. Hey, we’re going to Dimitri’s tonight. Come join us? Gwen would love to see you,” I added. She missed him a lot.

Those little packs of cookies he’d given her had made her day.

“I can’t. But I’ll be at the barbeque at Nia’s tomorrow, and the pool party at Coach Atkins’ on Saturday.” His look grew anxious. “I don’t know what to bring. We never brought stuff to Sasquatch parties, it was always fully catered.”

“I’m bringing artichoke dip. Gwen’s making lasagna. You know, if you text her, she’ll have ideas.” Bringing things–and seeing what everyone else brought–was half the fun.

“I’ll do that. Thanks.” He got in his car and drove off. I stood there, frowning.

“Clark, hey.” Atticus, Nia’s omega, came over to me. He was a slim, well-dressed omega that was about Gwen’s height, and in his late twenties. Their pack had twin toddlers and he worked in marketing.

“Hey, Atty.” I saw Nia talking to Pauley and Nakey. Pauley was a forward like Nia and had blond, beachy hair. He was mated to Nakey, who had dark hair and played defense.

“You added Gwen as your person, right? I’m head MASO this year, so I have the list,” Atty added.

“I figured it would be nice for her to have access to the family room and be able to come to games. Oh, and get snacks.” Because she was always hungry.

“I heard she’s living with you?” Atty smirked.

“She couldn’t get housing and I had an extra room. Are you ordering things? I think she wants some cute jewelry.” I thought back to what she’d said earlier.

“There will be some in the goodie bags for opening night. Now, did you just want family room access for her, or did you want her to be part of the actual MASO group? For example, AJ has family room access, but isn't part of the MASO group. But Verity and I have both.”

“They made me meals last year.” And gave me the slow-cooker. Gwen had made some delicious queso dip in it the other day.

“Yes. We do things for the team and have some social activities, also a group chat. Did you want her to be part of that? It’s fine if you don’t. Everyone in the MASO group contributes at the beginning of the year and it covers some of the things we order and do,” he offered.

“Yeah, she’d like that. Send me a request and I’ll pay it. Thanks for including her, that’s so sweet,” I told him.

“Great, we adore her. I’ll put her down. Thanks.” He waved and got in the car with Nia.

I went to Tito’s and joined Carlos, Anders, Dimitri, and Mitchy at a table. Next to us was a table of Bantams and free agents.

“Who do you think is staying?” Mitchy asked, eyeing them.

“Castle,” I said with a nod.

Mitchy had also been working his ass off. At some point, Sarah would come back from maternity leave. So someone would get traded or moved down to the Bantams, since she’d get her spot back.

Maybe it would be Mitchy, maybe someone else. But it wouldn’t be until much later in the season, or even next–she hadn’t even had the baby yet.

Anders looked around. “Where’s Bucket?”

“He had things to do,” I replied with a shrug.

“What’s more important than the team? He’s the new guy. Bucket should be here getting to know everyone like Vickers.” Mitchy nodded toward the table where Vickers, our other new defender, had a french fry basket on his head as he talked to Pauley and Nakey.

My phone buzzed with the payment request for Gwen to join the MASO group. I paid it immediately. It would be fun for her. She was already friends with a bunch of them.

“Bucket’s been weird since he got back from fishing. Did he and Cooter have a fight?” Carlos teased as he took a drink of beer.

“He’s busy. Moving across the country and changing teams is no joke.” I wasn’t sure. After all, Vickers had done the same.

“I get that. I just sort of miss him,” Carlos said as he texted someone.

Maybe Tens and I could talk about him making more time for Gwen. She was having nightmares nearly every night, and while I loved snuggling her, I think she needed him.

Well, that and I missed him, too.