Page 111 of The Substitute

The defenders move to help protect him and the net, and that pisses me off, too. He doesn’t need anymore fucking protection. He had it all while I was left to deal with my father on my own.

I fake a shot and pass to Shredder who slaps it toward the goal. Savage blocks it, and it bounces off his stick. The urge to break my stick over his head is really fucking strong.

Lovelace flings it away from the goal toward Ridgeway, but I get my stick on it and send it sailing back at Savage. I don’t care anymore if it goes in the net or if it hits him. I hope it hurts like hell and leaves a bruise he can’t explain away.

He’s lying to Tobi about being a hockey player. The fucker knows Tobi will be pissed when he finds out, and he’s using Tobi not knowing to his advantage.

I keep moving toward the goal and taking shots, and when the puck is finally flung away and to a Gods’ player, Savage shoves me hard with both arms to my chest.

“What the fuck are you playing at?”

I get right back into his face. “Just making the playing ground a little more even.” Then I swing.

All-out war breaks out on the ice. As if everyone was waiting for a sign, they descend on the ice. Helmets and gloves are gone,fists are flying, and guys are being flung to the ice or into the boards. I’m knocked to the ground, and Savage tries to pin me under his massive bulk and fucking pads, but I manage to get my arm around his neck for a second. He throws an elbow into my stomach, knocking the air from me long enough to get away and punch me in the face.

I swing at him again when he sits on me, but a ref pulls him off before he can retaliate. Whistles are being blown, coaches are yelling, and the people in the stands are cheering.

As I’m helped off the ice, my ribs and stomach scream. Fuck, that’s going to hurt tomorrow. Why was today so much abdomen trauma? I would much rather have bruises on my ass or thigh than my ribs. Fuck me.

“If you wanted a hug, you just had to ask,” Savage yells as I get to my feet.

Fucking dickbag.

“Last night was the last decent night of sleep you’re getting, motherfucker!”

The game finally ends, and we still lost. It’s my fault. I came into this with a fucking attitude and dragged everyone down into it with me. Tomorrow, I’ll have to apologize to the team.

As we trudge back to the locker room, Teddy is yapping about some bullshit.

“This is all peace. We need to be more zen.” Teddy lifts his hands with his thumbs and middle fingers touching to create an ‘o’ on either hand.

“What peace? This is hockey.” Blondie scoffs.

“Got to get your chickpeas in order.” Teddy pats his shoulder.

“Have you been replaced?” I ask as I park my ass on a bench to breathe. “Since when are you zen?”

“Who would replace me?! I am perfect! MY MOTHER SAID SO!” Teddy is yelling loud enough, everyone in the room turns to look at him.

“I meant an alien—never mind.” I shake my head and drop it back against a cubby. I have to get my shit together.

“Do you think an alien took over my body?!” Teddy starts patting himself down and feeling himself up, pulling on his pads to check inside. “Where would it have gone in?!”

“Someone get Rhys!” Lancelot yells, but since Rhys is on the Gods’ team, that won’t be happening while we’re all still in the locker rooms.

“Your brother is fucking the enemy. That’s why we lost. So maybe tell your brother about peace.” I want to be mad at him, but I don’t have the energy anymore. “I was defending your family’s honor!”

Teddy wraps his arms around me in a sweaty, smelly hug. “You’re such a good friend.”

“I’m uncomfortable. I need an adult.”

Coach comes in and yells at us for a solid twenty minutes before we get into the showers.

Teddy grabs the shower next to me and sighs heavily. “How did you know about my brother fucking the enemy?”

“Huh?”

“Their goalie!” Teddy says like I should know.