Page 50 of King

"You look like a delicious dominatrix,” Nate says, pulling on one of my straps. “Allie filled me in and I approve. Impressive."

They lead me through the garden and into the building with signs for the rink and pools. It's colder inside than it is outside, the temperature dropping. I pull Christian’s jersey over my head as we get closer to the ice. His jersey is a little sweaty but I can still smell his cologne and it’s intoxicating. It reminds me of being alone with him in his car.

“Hey, Jo!” Another one of the guys I recognize from Damien and Lea’s group scoots by into the rink with a smile.

Nate watches him before he speaks, “I see there’s a shift in the kingdom.”

“We should celebrate!” Allie wiggles the flask in her hand, pointing her chin towards the bleachers. “Over some whiskey that is.”

We settle into a seat in the second last row of bleachers on ERA's side. Lea and her crew are at the top and I can feel her eyes on me but I’m not spending any more time on her.

Nate and I are almost done with Allie's flask and the three of us are having a blast at this game. The Eagles are facing the Ancaster Hawks and it's a fiery one to kick off the season.

Glares are sporadic on the Home side, and guys from Ancaster keep looking over with winks and waves. This includes the one with the curly blonde hair.

Nate nods along as Allie brings him up to date on the information I dropped about Lea. “Now that's some hot tea, but why am I not surprised?” A smile spreads across his happy face. “You used that information like a true Eden native, to bring someone down. I’m proud to call you my friend, Jo Rowland.”

A true Eden native? That’s something I never desire to be, but when Nate says he considers me a friend, there’s a warmth in my chest. A smile on my face. After you’ve gone to as many schools as I’ve been in, friends are a scarcity.

It could be the flask we’ve been drinking or the adrenaline from confronting Lea. I’m not usually a touchy person but I pull both Allie and Nate in for a group hug. “Thanks, guys!” Pressing their cheeks into mine, my arms squeeze us together. I couldn’t have done this without them.

The boys are vicious on the ice and I learn why they’re called the Big Bad Eagles. They put up a fight but by the third period, they’re down by one. Damien doesn’t strike me as the big sporty type but he’s playing hard. So hard he gets checked and flattened on his back when he tries to make it to the net with five minutes to spare.

His helmet hits the ground, black hair sweaty and tousled. It’s up to Luca to make the shot but he misses the goal, sending the puck flying into the bleachers. Once the whistle is blown, Damien charges the guy who checked him. Number Twenty-Two. When he takes his helmet off, I realize it’s one of the guys who saw the show outside, hooting and hollering.

Luca approaches him from behind, pulling him away as the referee blows hard on his whistle. The crowd cheers and I too am on my feet. Damien swings away while Luca pulls him back on the ice. Damien lets up, causing Luca to let go, but the minute he does, he’s wailing on this guy again.

It takes both referees and two other guys to pull Damien off. When Number Twenty-Two gets up, there’s blood all over his jersey and the crowd lets out a collective, "Oooh!"

I can’t tell what’s going on but the referee is pointing to the exit and Damien spits on the ground before skating away.

He doesn’t come back for the rest of the game, The Eagles losing 2-1.

“Bummer,” Nate sighs when the final horn goes off. He looks at us, not fazed at all. “Drinks and pizza?” His breath stinks of alcohol but so does mine. “A lot of the students like to head to Emilio’s after games. There’s usually an afterparty but with the way Damien played, I doubt it’ll be any fun.”

I look down at my bare legs. “Nah, I should get home. I’ve had enough attention for one night.”

“Nonsense!” Allie's hand lands on my shoulder, Christian's jersey still on my frame. “Today you had a victory! Let's keep celebrating! There's an Emilio’s Margherita with your name on it.”

Looking up at her, the room blurs. I squint. "It feels like I've already had enough to drink."

"She means pizza babe." Nate pats my back. "We could both use some."

Lea’s walking down the steps behind Allie and she glares my way. It looks like she’s about to say something when Beth speaks up, “Did we hear something about Emilios? We’ll save you a seat so you can tell us where you got that sexy little number.”

Lea's jaw drops, her glare now on Beth.

“I guess it’s settled!” Allie looks at Beth before turning her eyes back to me. “Emilio’s it is.”

“Ugh, whatever,” Georgina pipes up. “That set is from last year’s line.”

This helps Lea find her voice, “And you look fat in it!"

Beth rolls her eyes without looking at her friends. “Meet you there. Georgey are you coming?”

“Yeah.” Despite her remarks, Georgina agrees.

Lea scoffs as Beth walks down the stairs. She gives me one final glare before tugging on Georgina’s arm with clenched teeth. “Emilio’s has vermin. We’re going to MOCHA!" They walk away, Lea grilling Georgina the entire time.

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