Page 28

CHAPTER 28

AXEL

I t was never easy to step onto the opposing team’s home ice, and hearing the thunderous roar of the crowd chanting Grainger College’s name only ratcheted up my adrenaline.

Suddenly the reality of this game, do or die, hit me. We were playing for a spot in the finals and that was huge. It was funny, because in all the games I played with Langston, I never felt pressure. Maybe because I knew that I wasn’t staying with the team, or because my instinct told me that bigger things were on the horizon.

Speaking of bigger things, there was a rumor that several professional scouts were here at this game. I’d heard Finn and Colin talking about it with Sean when we headed out of the locker room. I forcefully pushed that thought out of my head. Nothing was going to threaten my concentration.

Well, except for my parents. No. I couldn’t let that happen either. Fuck them.

Instead, I focused on my usual pregame routine and replayed the drills from our recent practice. One thing for sure was different from the last game. The only opponent I was playing against now was the other team.

And maybe, sometimes, myself.

Jace skated by me, and my pulse spiked higher, our eyes holding for a long moment. If anything was going to screw with my head tonight, it was him. Playing with someone I was sleeping with was new. New and unnerving. How was I going to stay calm when the other team would be gunning for him? The guy I once hated was now the one I was possessive of. And the thought of anyone touching what was mine made me ragey as fuck. The only way to cope was to channel my fire, and make it work for me. Listen to my teammates and focus on our strategy. Coach wanted communication on the ice, and he was going to get it.

So much went unsaid in one look, and despite the space between Jace and I, I’d never felt closer to anyone. Or more certain that this was where we were meant to be. Instead of angsting about my past or worrying about the future, there was only here, now.

Me and Jace? We could do this.

“We got this,” he whispered, as if reading my mind, and I nodded.

“We do.”

Ethan and Sean started chanting ‘cougars roar’ and the rest of us joined in, gathering in a circle, feeding off each other’s energy, the excitement outpacing our nerves.

“We’re gonna kick ass!” someone yelled out.

Holy fuck, it was me.

My teammates shouted “hell, yes” in return and we bumped fists, patted helmets, and headed into our warm-up, psyched and ready to play.

And when Coach put me on the first line, along with Jace, Dane, Kayden, and Finn, I was beyond happy. Even with the weight of expectations sitting heavier than my pads, I was ready.

I glanced down at my red laces and took a deep breath.

Get that fucking win.

By the time the ref blew the first whistle, I was centered, calm. Calmer than I’d ever been during any game in my life. The puck dropped and Jace stole it in a dizzying flash of movement. Warrington, one of Grainger’s best forwards, couldn’t compete. We were off, breaking away in a rush, as I raced after Jace, with our captain joining in the fray.

The first period of play felt like forever, but despite our best efforts, we couldn’t break through Grainger’s defensive wall. Everywhere we moved they were there, stealing passes and blocking shots. Hell, they probably didn’t need a goalie at this point, they were that good.

Second period, and we finally got our mojo back.

Dane scored halfway through with an assist courtesy of yours truly. Instead of being hung up on the fact that I wasn’t the one to sink the puck, I counted my win and kept my eyes out for another opportunity, another play. Doing what I did best. And the rush of being a part of any winning play was everything.

By intermission, we were still ahead by that one goal, but I could tell from my teammates’ faces that they were as frustrated as I was. One goal was good, but the tide could turn against us just as quick.

It left no room for error.

By the last period, we weren’t just fighting for the puck, it was all-out war. Maddox’s blocking skills were put to the test, three, no, four times.

Warrington scored and suddenly the game was tied.

After a time-out and a ‘push harder’ talk from Coach, we hit the ice with all the energy we had. The momentum came to a head, with Jace taking control of the puck and deke’ing around so many players, it was hard for me, let alone our opponents, to keep track of him. Then Delaney, Grainger’s captain, got the drop on Ethan, cross-checking him into the boards, the loud crunch of contact making everyone wince. We skated over to check on our teammate, and a fight almost broke out between Colin and Delaney. Thankfully Ethan was just rattled, and not seriously injured. He and Dane managed to calm Colin down, before things got ugly.

No penalty was called, though, and while we were trying to stay in the cool zone, Coach went ballistic. No power play.

With five minutes remaining, Delaney aimed his sights on Jace.

I was too far away and couldn’t get in between them. My heart leapt to my throat as I watched Delaney gunning for him. Thankfully, Jace moved like a slippery eel and narrowly avoided getting crushed into the boards. But me? I broke out in a cold sweat, brimming with fear and fury.

As if sensing that I was about to go full throttle on Delaney, Jace skated past me and patted my ass. Just one reassuring touch and I was good.

Three minutes later, Jace, with an assist from Ethan, scored a hell of an amazing goal. We celebrated as the crowd around us grew silent.

Next thing I knew, the final buzzer sounded off.

2-1 isn’t the best game we’ve ever played, but it’s enough to win this one and secured our place in the finals. We flew at each other, hugs and shouts and bouts of swearing mixed in with the celebratory cheers. I was riding a high that couldn’t be contained as we skated off the ice and headed back to the locker room. The feeling stayed with me until I got dressed and my phone buzzed.

I had to get this meeting with my parents over with as quick as possible.

Jace walked over to me as I made my way to the exit.

“You okay?” he asked.

I wanted to reach for him, but I steeled myself.

“I’m fine. Just want to get this visit over with.”

“I’ll meet you out front in fifteen.”

I nodded, relieved, and pushed open the door, then headed out into the hallway, trying to ignore the icy shivers that didn’t want to leave my body. And when I spotted my parents, standing by the front door, all dressed up like they were at a cocktail reception rather than a hockey game, that dread turned to full-on panic. My mother had her blond hair tied up, wearing a scarlet coat trimmed with fur. My father was busy on his phone, per usual. They were standing so far apart you wouldn’t’ve assumed they were together. Nothing had changed.

Until they noticed me, and suddenly, stalked in my direction, a wall of perfume, pearls, and power suits.

“Venetia. Bradford,” I announced, using their first names, knowing they hated it.

Immediate scowls greeted me. The battle on the ice was done but there was plenty of game left to be played.

“Stop doing that Axel, it’s so unseemly,” my mother sneered and stepped closer, reaching for my arm.

I didn’t want to make a scene, but I pushed her hand away. A wave of Opium, her signature scent, choked me, and I bit back a cough.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“I told you, we wanted to see your game,” my mother insisted, her face an emotionless mask. “You seem to be playing better than you did at Langston. Maybe this hockey thing isn’t such a stupid idea after all.”

“Well, gee, thanks,” I snarked as I stared at her, my gut churning. “I work hard and I’m getting better with every game. But I know that’s not the reason why you’re here. You couldn’t give a shit about me or my hockey career. What’s going on?”

“We’ll need next year’s tuition money back,” my father stated.

“What are you talking about?”

“If you push yourself and get drafted as a professional hockey player, you’ll make a lot of money. Why bother finishing college?” my mother added. “And we need the money. I want it transferred back to our account this week.”

I stood there in shock. I knew they had cash flow problems, but I didn’t think they’d stoop to this.

“You can’t be serious?” I hissed.

“Does it look like your mother’s joking?” my father asked, his eyes boring into me. “She told you about the deal. Until I get this closed, I need all the cash I can find.”

“Get a loan,” I snapped.

“Same goes. And don’t be so fucking na?ve, Axel,” he hissed. “You don’t think we’ve gone down that route? Just transfer the money and be quiet about it.”

“And if I refuse?”

My father shook his head. “You don’t want to do that.”

I swallowed hard, glancing at the determined expressions on their faces. They wouldn’t access my trust fund, would they? No, they couldn’t. Still, I should probably find a lawyer to confirm. Not that I’d be able to afford one at this point.

“And you don’t want me revealing family secrets,” I lobbed back.

My father stepped closer, and the warning glare had me preparing for the worst.

“You’re not experienced at this kind of game, Axel. Stick to hockey.”

“Fine,” I replied, tired of their bullshit and too wrung out to care anymore. “But I’m finishing my degree. I just switched majors and I’m not quitting.”

“That’s your choice.”

“Yes, it is,” I replied confidently even though I was anything but. I’d have to find a part-time job, stat, and then maybe two in the summer. But I could do it. “I’ll transfer the money this week. If there’s nothing else, I’ve got to meet up with my team.”

I didn’t see Jace so much as sense him nearby.

When I glanced around, sure enough, he was waiting by the locker room doors with Kayden, Maddox, and Dane. He stared at me with a questioning look, like he was about to walk over to me. I shook my head. I wanted him by my side, but no way was I going to expose him to my parents.

“Have you spoken to Preston?” my father asked.

“We don’t talk anymore. I found out that, just like you, he’s a liar. Why?” I asked. “What’s going on?”

My mother gave a sharp inhale and my father’s face turned ruddy.

“He got arrested.”

“Arrested? For what?”

“It doesn’t matter,” my father insisted. “Just don’t talk to him, alright? If he tries to contact you, ignore him. The last thing we need is to be associated with someone like that.”

He was joking right? Preston, arrested?

“I’ve got to go,” I stated.

“The money. Tomorrow.”

I nodded at my mother’s clipped voice.

“You’ll get it within a week,” I returned and shoved my hands in my pockets. “And FYI, I’m not coming home for break or ever again. I’m done.”

“Don’t be dramatic.”

“I’ve got my own life now. I’m feeling good about myself for the first time in, well, forever. I don’t want anything from you. Nothing. And don’t even think of going near my trust fund. That’s protected.”

With that warning, I stomped off. Never mind dinner, I needed a drink. And a smoke.

The scowl on my face probably scared away half the people in the lobby, but not Jace. He just kept stalking towards me, never losing eye contact, until we met halfway. Without thinking, I reached for his hip, the touch grounding me, settling one storm inside me and unleashing another. Jace’s body stiffened in reaction.

“Shit. Sorry.”

What was I doing, touching him like that out here? I dropped my hand.

“It’s fine. Just, unexpected.”

I looked around but no one was paying us any attention.

“Hey,” Jace whispered, and I met his gaze. “Are you okay? That looked intense.”

“I’ll explain on the way to dinner.”

The rest of the guys wandered over to join us and we headed for the bus. Even the gust of frigid air as we left the rink was a relief, and I took a few deep breaths, the calm washing over me.

This time, I headed for the last seat at the back of the bus and Jace took the one beside me.

“To start, I’m going to have to find a job,” I announced.

“What?”

“I won’t have money for next year’s tuition. They’ve cut me off. Well, I have the money, but they want it back.”

“No fucking way.”

“It’s true. But I’ll be alright. I’ll find a way. And there’s more,” I paused. “Preston’s been arrested.”

Jace sat silent, staring at me with an open mouth and wide eyes.

“For what?”

“I don’t know. They wouldn’t tell me. Just that I shouldn’t contact him and with a warning to keep my mouth shut.”

“Holy shit.”

We pulled out our phones and began typing.

“I can’t find anything on his socials,” I whispered.

“Me neither.”

“What about his parents?” Jace asked.

I thought about that. “Yeah, let me call them.”

I searched my contacts and found their info. My hand was shaking when I tapped on their number. It went right to voicemail.

“Hey, Mr. Pearson, this is Axel Lund calling. I’m trying to reach Preston but he’s not responding. Can you please call me back? Thanks.”

I hung up and glanced at Jace. “I could also reach out to some of our high school classmates.”

“It’s a start.”

“Okay,” I paused and nudged him. “Aside from that, there’s something important we need to talk about.”

“What’s that?”

“When can we meet up?” I asked. “Your room?”

“What about Finn?”

“Let’s get him to swap,” I suggested. “It’s only one night.”

“You know Coach and the rules. There’s got to be another way.”

Jace worried his lower lip as he worked on a solution. I so wanted to lean in and taste him. Fuck, it had been too long since we’d kissed, and I needed my fix.

“Don’t do that,” he hissed.

“Do what?”

“Look at me like that,” Jace reached down and adjusted himself. “Everyone’s gonna know what you’re thinking.”

“And what am I thinking?” I asked him, leaning closer, until we shared the same breath.

I should’ve been concerned about our teammates watching us, but suddenly I didn’t care.

Between Jace and the game tonight, I was riding a high that couldn’t be stopped.

“You want to do dirty, filthy things to my body,” he suggested.

“And the problem is?” I teased.

“Stop it, Ax. The last thing I need is a boner right before we head in for dinner.”

I glanced down at the bulge in his jeans and licked my lips.

“I know what I’m in the mood to devour.”

“Oh God,” Jace groaned, and it made me laugh.

Despite the bombshell my parents dropped on me tonight, being around Jace had me feeling right again.

“We need to be alone,” I confessed. “There’s got to be someplace, other than our room, where we can meet up.”

Jace tapped his lips, his shoulder bumping mine, a playful light in his eyes.

“I think I have an idea.”