Page 67 of Offside Attraction

I stand first, shooting Hayes one last glare before storming out. I don’t know how we’re supposed to move forward from this—but one thing’s for damn sure.

I’m not letting Hayes win.

Not on the ice.

And definitely not off it.

As I turn to leave, I hear Hayes mutter something under his breath. It takes everything in me not to spin around and start the fight all over again. But I keep walking—fists clenched, heart pounding—telling myself he isn’t worth it.

“You know this is all your fault.”

Hayes’ voice stops me cold.

I turn around slowly. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”

I take a few angry steps toward him, my blood boiling.

“What?” He smirks, lifting one eyebrow. “You deaf or something?”

I glance down the hallway toward Coach Rivera’s office. If this turns physical again, we’re both screwed. I can’t risk getting kicked off the team because Hayes knows exactly how to push my buttons.

“Stay the fuck away from me,” I warn.

“Oh yeah?” he snaps. “Everything was fine until you joined my team.” Each word drips with venom. “What did you think was gonna happen? That you’d suddenly be the shit? That people would give a fuck about you?” He steps closer, eyes dark. “I can see right through you, Miller. You try so hard to act tough, but deep down, you know I own your stupid ass.”

I laugh, sharp and humorless. “Oh, fuck you, Hayes. Maybe shut up for once and actually listen to the bullshit you’re spewing, you arrogant piece of shit.” I step forward, refusing to back down. “You and I both know that without daddy’s money, you’re just another nobody trying desperately to prove he’s better than everyone else.”

His jaw tightens.

“News flash, Griffin,” I add, smirking as I watch the anger flare in his eyes. “Nobody gives a fuck about you.”

That does it.

“Back the fuck up,” I say, my voice low and deadly. “Give me ten feet, or I swear I’ll break your fucking nose—and every bone in your body.”

I lean in just enough to make sure he hears every word.

“And just so you know? The kid you used to hit four years ago is gone. You wanna test me, try fucking with me again and find out.”

I hold his gaze for a beat longer.

For a split second—just one—something flickers across Hayes’s face.

Not anger.

Not arrogance.

Something tighter. Sharper. Like I’ve hit a nerve he didn’t expect me to find.

His smirk falters—not gone, just… delayed. His jaw clenches hard, muscles ticking as if he’s grinding his teeth down on something bitter. His eyes darken, not with rage, but with something that looks dangerously close to recognition.

Then it’s gone.

The smug mask snaps back into place like it was never cracked at all.

I don’t wait to see what else might slip. I turn and walk away, heart pounding, anger still burning through my veins—but my head still intact.

CHAPTER 15