Page 37

Chapter 37

Mikey

“You’re awfully quiet today.” Sorrento rode the stationary bike next to me. We had a half hour before we had to hit the ice for warmups. “And smiley.”

“He’s in love,” Obi said.

For once, I really didn’t have anything to say. I was pretty sure they were right. Something had shifted with Jessie. I’d stopped counting the times that I looked at her and the L-word was on the tip of my tongue. I’ve got a big mouth, but I knew that wasn’t the kind of thing you just blurted out.

“Damn, you know it’s bad if Mikey’s struck silent,” Guy said.

“I don’t know what y’all are talking about,” I said with a grin.

“Never thought I’d see the day,” Sorrento laughed. “This woman brought you to your knees.”

“Sure did,” Leroy said. “Should be the other way around, though.”

“Your poor wife,” Guy said, rolling his eyes.

“I gave her the kids she wanted. I gave her the house and all the stuff she likes. It’s the least she can do.”

“Again,” Sorrento said. “Your poor wife.”

Coach wandered in. “Mikey. My office.”

An “ooooh” echoed around the locker room. “Ah, shut up. He’s not in trouble.”

Coach waited for me to wipe my sweat before patting my shoulder and escorting me into his office. I sat in the chair across from his desk.

“You’ve been playing really well lately, Mike. And working well with the other guys. I’m glad to see it after your rough patch last year.”

I nodded. I’m a good player. I know that. But I also know that I’ve constantly battled choking under pressure. It’s what kept me from getting drafted during college. I’ll play well all year, but then when the playoffs come, I make stupid mistakes. When I know the stakes are high, it’s like I forget how to function.

“We’ve got Detroit coming up. I know your folks are from there. I just wanted to check in with you and make sure it wasn’t going to be a problem.”

And truthfully, I felt better than usual going into the Detroit road trip. Things were going really well with Jessie, and it made all the shit my dad gave me while being a piece of shit himself feel less powerful.

I shook my head. “No, Coach.”

He hesitated. “That came out wrong. We have resources if you need help, son.”

My cheeks warmed. “Thanks. I know. Anything else?”

I hated that my coach knew my dad was a dick. It was embarrassing. I didn’t like my personal and professional life crossing.

His ice-blue eyes studied me, stalling like he thought there was more to say. “Don’t go after Riki so hard tonight against Dallas. The refs are going to be watching you for that shit after last time. You’ve got a new girl, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

He twisted his lips. “Wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to make it personal. Ignore it. We don’t need you getting suspended so close to the playoffs.”

Anders Riki had been my archenemy since we played each other in college, a real tool who played for Princeton. He had a terrible reputation, and I took it as my personal responsibility to make his life hell on the ice. I’ll admit, I almost gave him a concussion the last time we met. Oops.

“Noted.”

* * *

“Los Angeles number 27. Two minutes for tripping.”

I ripped off my helmet, skating for the ref making the call. It was the third period and my second trip to the sin bin. It didn’t feel coincidental.

“You gotta be kidding me, man!”

His face betrayed no emotion. “Serve your time, 27.”

“What about what he did to our goalie?”

“Are you looking to get thrown out?” His eyes challenged mine.

“You can’t let people fuck with our goalie!” I shouted back.

My gaze snagged on Jessie’s between the benches, her eyebrows almost in her hair and her hands over her mouth.

Riki circled us. “Better serve those two minutes, Mikey. Your new bunny with those huge tits ain’t gonna blow you if you don’t be a good little boy.”

I lunged for him and the ref let me. I yanked him in by his jersey, grinning as I dealt the first blow.

“Bet she’s got huge nipples, too, huh? Wonder if she’d let me take them for a spin. Are they real? I know how these L.A. girls work. You meet her at a strip club?”

I couldn’t be held responsible for what happened next. I pulled him down face first onto the ice, flipping him to straddle his chest and spit in his face. Stelle and Sorrento appeared in seconds, tearing me off him. That gave Riki a chance to get a good jab up at me, splitting my lip.

“You’re both out of here!”

“Don’t fucking talk about her!” I shouted as I skated toward the tunnel, Stelle and Sorrento ushering me there. “This isn’t over!”

“Yeah, won’t be over till those tits are in my mouth.”

Guy took one look at me with his eyebrows up, and we both went for him. Coach’s voice rang out over the chaos that ensued.

The last thing I saw before leaving the ice was Jessie, brows drawn and tears forming.