Page 28 of Offside Attraction

“Huh.” He nods slowly. “Well, I’m glad you’re back. I’m looking forward to seeing what you bring to the team.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What position?”

“Forward,” I reply. “Winger.”

Coach Rivera’s lips curve. “Nice. Hayes here’s a winger too.” He glances between us. “If you make the team—and I have a feeling you will, you play a lot like your dad—you two could make a solid pairing.”

I hear Hayes scoff under his breath.

“Why don’t you make the team first,” he mutters.

I don’t look at him.

I don’t need to.

“Come on, boys,” Coach Rivera says, turning away as he heads back toward the rest of the group.

“Just to be clear,” Hayes mutters, shooting me a death glare, “this isn’t over. And you’re never gonna make the team.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Hayes opens his mouth to fire back, but the coach beats him to it.

“Gather around, everyone. Circle up.”

We skate closer, forming a loose ring around him.

Hayes takes his place beside Coach Rivera, leaning casually on his hockey stick, his glare never leaving me.

Yeah. Bite me.

“For those of you who don’t know who I am,” Coach Rivera says, his voice carrying across the rink, “I’m Coach Rivera. And this,” he gestures toward Hayes, “is Hayes Griffin, the team captain.”

Hayes straightens slightly, soaking it in like he always does.

“I know a lot of you are talented,” the coach continues. “But I’ll only be keeping a few. Those who don’t make varsity will bemoved to junior varsity. If you prove yourselves, you might be called up when needed.”

His gaze flicks to me briefly before sweeping over the rest of the group.

“So get out there and impress me.”

He claps his hands together, sharp and decisive.

“Let’s go.”

The circle breaks as everyone skates toward the ice.

I tighten my grip on my stick, heart pounding, adrenaline flooding my veins.

Here goes nothing.

CHAPTER 6

CoachRiveradividesusinto two teams—team blue and team red.

Red team is made up of forwards. Blue team, defensemen, and goalies.