Page 16 of Puck’N Enemy (Thunder Knights #2)

Logan

My eyes slowly blink open to rays of pale sunshine coming in through the curtains. Still caught in the drowsy remnants of sleep, I reach across the bed instinctively.

The space beside me is empty and the sheets feel cool. “Dylan,” I groan through a parched throat.

No. Not again!

I bolt upright, heart thudding against my ribs. A cold wave of déjà vu washes over me, making my panic rise like a tide. Trying to calm myself, I look around the room.

Dylan’s no longer here, but my gaze lands on a folded piece of paper on the nightstand.

Is that a note?

Snatching it up immediately, I open it with shaking fingers.

Hey Sleepy Head,

Don’t freak out if you don’t find me in the apartment when you wake up.

I had to catch an early bus back to campus. Training waits for no man (even if that man is ridiculously hot and sleeps like a log).

I made breakfast, so don’t leave without eating something.

Dylan.

A relieved breath escapes me. I sink back into the pillows, holding the note to my chest. A smile blossoms on my lips and soon, I can’t stop grinning like a fool.

I lie in bed for another minute, letting the quiet warmth and bubbling happiness soak through me. It’s been way too long since I’ve felt this way.

After a while, I check my phone and groan.

It’s already past eight in the morning, and time for me to leave too.

Dragging myself out of bed, I fold the sheets and put the pillows in place. Next, I get dressed and take another look at the room.

A desk, crammed with books and stacks of thick folders, stands in the corner. There’s a single chair beside it. Apart from them, the bed and a tiny closet are the only furniture in this room.

Back when we were in high school, he didn’t even have this much at his foster family’s home. An ache goes through me as I realize how little Dylan needs to be content.

I’ll give him a proper home someday , I silently vow to myself and walk out of the room.

I head into the kitchen and at once, the heady aroma of coffee wafts into my nostrils. Moving toward the counter, I find a simple spread laid out before me.

There’s a bowl of chopped melons, a plate of thick pancakes and a pan of scrambled eggs. A second note lies beside the coffee maker, making me grin.

I have your coffee ready for you. It’s especially strong and a tad bitter. Just like your mood when you let a puck pass through ??

“You little shit,” I mutter, chuckling fondly.

I fold the note carefully and tuck it in my pocket before sitting down to eat breakfast.

The food is amazingly delicious. The Dylan I knew could barely make cup noodles with water boiled in a microwave.

It’s a moment before I realize how he got so good. He must’ve learned to cook to take care of Coach Becker.

I’m almost done with breakfast when I hear the sound of footsteps coming toward me.

Coach Becker shuffles into the kitchen in a loose nightrobe. An ever-weary but kind expression spreads on his face when he sees me.

“Morning, Coach,” I greet him.

“Are you heading out soon?” he asks, easing into a chair.

“Yeah,” I say, taking a sip of my coffee. “Dylan has already left, so there’s no point in my hanging around here.”

Coach nods slowly, resting his elbows on the table. “Did you two clear things up?”

“We talked,” I say slowly. “Dylan’s too scared to even let himself think I care for him. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me to convince him of that fact.”

“I’ve known the kid since he was fifteen,” Coach says. “He doesn’t let people in easily, but that was never the case with you. He let you in. And that means something.”

I swallow the sudden choke in my throat.

Coach’s expression softens. “Dylan is still carrying the guilt of what happened back then. He’s still punishing himself for hurting you.”

My jaw clenches. “He needs to stop feeling that way. For fuck’s sake, he was just seventeen at the time. He did the best he could do to protect me.”

“It’s time you protected him back,” Coach says in a gentle voice. “Dylan will never ask for it but he needs it.”

“I will,” I tell him, my voice low but firm. “I’ll protect him from Pete and anyone who tries to rip us apart again.”

Coach studies me for a moment and then, smiles. “Good. I won’t have to worry too much about the kid, then.”

I drain my coffee mug and push my chair back. “I’ll see you around, Coach.”

He waves a hand as I get up and walk out of the kitchen.

Bright sunshine pours down on me as I walk out of the apartment moments later. The dark clouds of uncertainty have finally cleared from my mind, making me inhale the cold, fresh air deeply.

Dylan was finally back in my life and this time, I’ll make sure he stays by my side.

Just as I’m stepping off the curb, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Bringing it out, I see that it’s Mitchikov.

“Hey, pal,” I say, picking up the call.

“Dude, where are you?” Mitchikov asks in a breathless voice. The sound of weights clanking in the background tells me he’s in the gym. “Training session started half an hour ago.”

I glance up as a bus comes to a stop, its engine hissing. “Yeah. I’m not coming today.”

There’s a pause. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine. I just need to handle some personal stuff.” I rub the back of my neck, wondering if I should come clean about where I am. He’s the one who gave me Dylan’s address, after all.

“Oh,” he mutters. “When will we see you, then?”

“I’ll see you guys for practice this evening,” I tell him.

“You'd better. We’ve got scouts watching us this week.”

“I know,” I mutter, my eyes locking on the bus as the doors open.

I hang up before he can ask me anything further and hop into the bus. Taking a seat, I watch the streets pass by.

The bus is headed toward Silverlake University’s campus. The need to see Dylan again has become so unbearable, I can’t think of anything else.

Since I can’t get him out of my head, I decide to go after him.

It’s a quick ride to Silverlake’s campus. I step out of the bus along with a group of loud, bustling students and follow them to the tall gates.

Even though it’s early in the morning, the campus is alive with the buzz of students. I pull my hood low over my face, making sure no one recognizes me.

Just like Knightswood University, people at Silverlake University are passionate about hockey. I don’t want to risk being recognized and inviting trouble before I can find Dylan.

Walking around, I realize the grounds and the quads are bigger and more impressive than Knightswood U’s campus. There are also lots of security guards posted at every corner, making sure the students are safe.

A sliver of relief spreads through me.

There’s no way Pete Volkov would risk sending his men here. As long as Dylan spends most of his day on campus, he’ll be safe.

Well done, kid , I silently think.

Dylan must be exceptionally talented to score a place among the Silver Bears. It’s almost too bad he’s not looking forward to being drafted, but to train as a coach.

Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly come to a halt.

In the far distance, I spot a group of guys in practice hoodies with the Bear crest stitched across the back. There’s Sawchuk, the Bear’s goalie, and right beside him is Brown, a forward.

And then, I see him.

Dylan.

A calm, casual smile lifts the corners of his lips as he walks with them.

Someone says something and he breaks into a free, easy laughter. A towel hangs from his neck and his fingers clutch an energy drink. His cheeks are flushed red and his auburn strands fall into his emerald eyes.

It looks like he’s just coming out of a gym session.

I almost relax before my gaze settles on the guy next to him. It’s Reece, the asshole defenseman who’d slammed into me at our last game.

Reece is way too close to him, nudging Dylan with his elbow and saying something that makes Dylan roll his eyes and laugh.

Something molten-hot settles in my stomach at the sight. I don’t like Dylan being so close to another guy, especially someone who looks at him that way.

Doesn’t Dylan realize Reece’s intentions toward him?

Why the hell are they still talking to each other? What could be so interesting about that Reece guy that Dylan doesn’t look at his other teammates?

I hate that some other guy is trying to take up my place beside Dylan and making him laugh like that. I hate it even more knowing there’s someone else who knows the rhythm of his laugh now.

My hands clench into fists.

One night with Dylan wasn’t enough. I have a lot of catching up to do with him. I need more time to know everything about him, especially the people he hangs out with. I have to know what he hides behind those easy smiles.

As I watch, the Bears make their way toward the cafeteria.

I came to Silverlake to see Dylan again. Stalking him wasn’t something I’d planned on doing. But now, I can’t turn back.

I have to know what Dylan does on a regular day on the campus. I must figure out his schedule and the routes he takes between classes. I also need to know if he shares any classes with Reece.

With a start, I realize my obsession with Dylan hasn’t faded one bit. I still want to know everything about him and keep him close.

A more logical side of me knows it’s wrong and unhealthy but I can’t bring myself to care. Just the thought of losing Dylan again makes it feel like torture by a thousand cuts.

This time, I’m not just going to protect Dylan.

I’m going to own every inch of his world and keep tabs on the people who’re close to him. Last time, I wasn’t aware of the threats Pete made to him. That’s why Dylan took it on himself to protect me.

I won’t make the same mistake again. Dylan can only be mine . No one else gets to take him from me this time.