Page 4 of Knot My Only Fan

Offers I should consider if I want to get as far away from my father as possible.

But not today, as tonight we have a game against the Boston Bulldogs, and that includes playing against my old nemesis Raul Simone. But I’m no longer a rookie and have my shit together... finally.

I may even apologize for the hard times I gave him in the past.

We spent our college and rookie years trying to out-do each other. Each of us wanted to be the best person on the ice. But since I found out he married the love of his life, I realize I’m the only one still holding the grudge.

And as I don’t want to be seen as anything other than the team’s best player... maybe the entire NHL one day, and I’m going to make it without the tactics I’ve used in the past.

One day, I’ll prove I’m worth every cent of the multi-million dollars contract I’ll eventually sign. Because, it’s not only the money, this is my dream.

And my life.

Colton Sinclair slaps my back as he walks by me. Colton is one of the new rookies on the team, and unlike me, when I was a rookie, he is already playing in major games.

“Nervous?” I ask as we amble in our skates down the tunnel. The crowd is already cheering as the other team glides onto the ice.

He smiles. “Only because my girlfriend and my family are here to watch me. Other than that, I’m excited.”

“Who’s up for drinks tonight?” Stanton Adams, my housemate, and team captain, calls from behind me. “After the press conference.”

I don’t answer. I never partake, and everyone knows that. My plan is to go home and chill the only way I know how to—with a drink in my hand.

Coach strides in front of us, shouting out his words of wisdom for the game. My nose twitches, and my mind wanders in an instant.

“Keep it tight and work as a fucking team!” he shouts.

I snap back to Coach, still talking about the way we need to play as we skate onto the ice. As I make my way to the rest of my team, the cold bites at my exposed skin.

I love this game. It’s the only thing that makes me... feel.

The crowd is loud, but I tune in to the sound of blades slicing through the ice.

“You coming tonight?” Stanton yells as he skates loops around me before he gets into position. “We could find a pussy to share.”

“You already know the answer.”

He grumbles as he skates away. Stanton seems to think we’re pack mates. I’m not interested in having a pack, because that means we’ll start hunting for our omega. An omega, my father is also keen for me to find.

I’ll stick to betas for now.

With the blaring sound of the buzzer, everything seems to move in slow motion. Each player’s heart is racing as they wait for the puck to drop. As soon as it occurs, the crowd unleashes a thunderous roar, and adrenaline courses through my veins, like it does every time I play.

Sticks clash, and soon the game is in full swing. I skate forward, crossing the puck to Stanton. He slides away before he fires toward the goal, but it’s saved and the Bulldogs take possession.

Before I can even register what’s happening, their team outmaneuvers us, leaving the puck nestled in the back of our net.

Their fans go wild.

I skate backward, glancing around the crowd as the play starts again.

I don’t know what it is about tonight, but there’s a mysterious scent drifting in the air, distracting my usually focused mind from the game.

Get a grip!

The sound of skates slicing through the ice fills the air as players zoom across the rink. The energy on the ice ramps up a notch, helping me to forget about the lingering scent.

Soon, the stadium is alive with the sounds of skates scraping, sticks clashing, and bodies smacking into each other with deafening force.

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