Page 24 of The Alternate Captain (Elite Hockey #3)

I stare at Tom for at least half a minute before I realise where I know him from. He’s beaming, almost in tears, as he steps onto the red carpet to collect my jersey.

“Great game, Johnny,” he says, keeping hold of my hand for a little too long as I shake it, then I pull my jersey off and hold it out for him.

“Thanks.”

“Kelly says ‘hi’,” he says, then he leaves the ice, my jersey clutched to his chest, into a crowd of people.

Still avoiding eye contact, my sister gives me the signal that it’s time for the post-game awards.

I feel sick with guilt. Throwing her under a bus to protect myself—I mean, I’m a complete and utter dick. Why Kelly gave me a second chance is beyond me.

I turn and skate back to the rest of the guys, taking a quick glance around the crowd, wondering if Kelly is actually here.

And if she is, the likelihood of spotting her is pretty much non-existent.

But I’m focused on checking anyway whilst I complete a victory lap with the guys, holding my stick in the air in appreciation for the fans before tossing it over the glass to a kid sitting on his dad’s shoulders.

That’s when I spot Sarah; eyes locked on mine as she stands a few rows up from ice level. For the love of Christ, why won’t she leave me alone?

“Is that who I think it is?” Ryan asks as he skates alongside me. I don’t even need to answer. “Well, you’re having a great day, right, bud?”

We get the hell off the ice and the elated mood I was in from our win is extinguished as soon as Bettsy walks into the dressing room after me.

“What was that about earlier?”

I didn’t get much of a chance to talk with him before the game, so it figures that he’d want to talk to me the first chance he got.

And all I can think is that I’m standing here, lying to his face to save myself.

Because that’s who I am right now. And, like the coward I am, I pull the reason I’ve been running with right out of my ass.

“Nothing, man. I figured you’d be the best guy to pair with Yatesy. Give you a chance to show him how it’s done.”

“Why didn’t you mention it before?” he says, his voice raising a few decibels to talk over the chatter of the guys’ post-game conversations. “Is it because I told Liam what you said? I mean... it slipped out. I didn’t mean to blab.”

“Honestly, no. It’s not. You’ve got a tonne of stuff you can teach him,” I say. “Besides, that was on me. I shouldn’t have broken Vicky’s trust by telling you. I’m not proud of myself at all.”

“And did you know about Liam getting the ‘A’?”

“Sort of. Coach mentioned it briefly.”

“Did you tell him I was interested—I mean, I am. You know that, right?”

“He knows. But it was Jani’s idea, forcing some leadership on Lee since he’s a bit preoccupied at the moment. ”

Bettsy considers this for a moment before slouching down into his cubby.

“We’re good though, right?” he says, chewing his lip.

“Yeah, man,” I say, patting him on the back. “Just give the kid as much support as you can. Show him how it’s done. You know Team GB scouts are always watching, right?”

“Yeah, right.” He nods.

I leave him at his cubby and get showered and dressed at record speed since I’m not in the mood to socialise anymore. But when I exit through the back door of the rink and close in on my car, I spot my dad leaning up against it with an expression on his face that tells me he’s not happy.

Honestly, today can fuck right off.

“Congratulations on your win,” he says, his stony-faced expression not budging.

“Thanks,” I say, moving to the trunk of my car to toss my bag in.

“Cody enjoyed it. Do you suppose he could spend a bit of time with you before we head home?”

The question hits me in the chest.

“Slim pickings, huh?”

“Don’t be like this, Johnathan. I’ve got enough on my plate with your sister. I don’t need you causing any drama.”

“Have you apologised to her yet?”

“I have.”

“And?” I stare at him, watching his expression.

“She said she needs some space. And she doesn’t need my help financially anymore.”

That gets my attention. From what I understand, Vicky relies on an allowance from Dad.

Which gets me thinking... Ryan and Jenna are moving out soon, how is she going to afford to keep living where she’s living if she isn’t accepting help from Dad?

I know her salary doesn’t stretch as far as her expenses demand, and that’s before all the shoes and crap she buys.

“Do you want to grab a beer?” Dad asks .

“Can’t. I’ve got plans.”

“I’ve flown all this way, and that’s what I get?”

I scoff. “Let’s face it, Dad. You didn’t come here to see me, nor Vicky.”

His face changes, an expression that I can’t put my finger on.

“Well, are you surprised? The pair of you are an embarrassment. How do you think that made me feel? You humiliated me in front of Jayne and Cody. She told me she doesn’t know if she wants to keep seeing me,” he says, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Probably because she realised you’re not a ticket to the NHL,” I say.

Then it gets worse.

“If you’d done as you were told and had those extra lessons...”

My jaw drops. “Are you serious right now?”

“Yes, I am. Because you could have done better.”

“And you wanted me to suck my coach’s dick for the privilege? You’re crazy.”

“It wasn’t like that,” Dad says.

But I’m done with this conversation. I can feel myself tensing up with frustration.

Just once, I’d love for my dad to tell me he’s proud of me and that he enjoyed my game, without making it all about him.

I move around to the front of my car and reach for the door handle. “I’ve got to go.”

And I’m hoping beyond all hope that Kelly did actually go to my place, because she’s like a single flame, burning bright in my world of darkness.