Page 7 of Pucking Revenge

With a wink at Sara, I push off the door to head to my spot in the crease.

Coach’s voice stops me halfway there. “You know the rules. No fucking the staff.”

My stomach sinks, and I quickly turn to Sara.

She looks as shocked as I do. Her mouth in an O and her eyes as big as saucers.

She doesn’t deserve any of the shit spewing from my teammates’ mouths or from Coach’s.

Dammit.

Heart lodged in my throat, I lick my lips, determined to clear this all up. “We didn’t?—”

“Drop and give me fifty.” Coach skates up close, his jaw clenched tight. This hard expression is one I’ve seen plenty over the years, but never directed at me. “Go near her again, and you’ll be riding the bench for the rest of the season.”

What the hell?

He skates away, and all I can do is gape. Does he really think I’d break any of his damn rules?

Regardless, I’ll do exactly what he says. As it is, the guys think Aiden and I get special treatment because of our last name. The last thing I need is for my teammates to be up in arms, claiming that I think I don’t have to listen to Coach.

In reality, he goes harder on us than everyone else, clearly overcorrecting for perceived nepotism.

It’s bullshit. Aiden is the highest scorer on the team, and it’s rare for anyone to get a goal by me. We’re both fucking good at our jobs. That’s why we’re here. The Langfields are as competitive as they come. If Gavin, who took over the hockey side of Langfield Corp from our dad, didn’t believe we could perform, he’d have us on the damn bench himself.

“Is there something wrong with your hearing?” Coach hisses. “Should we have the doctor come take a look at you?”

Without hesitation, I drop my stick to the ice, then I follow. And I count. Loudly. “One. Two…”

THREE

SARA

“What the hell was that about?” I whisper shout at Sebastian as he stalks back my way.

He just humiliated Brooks for no good reason.

Arms across his broad chest, he turns back to the ice. He doesn’t look in my direction, though it’s obvious his next words are meant for me. “Thought you were tired last night.”

“I was.” I’m fuming. The rink is cold, but suddenly, I want nothing more than to tug off my jacket. “You texted me at midnight. I’m not some fucking booty call who’s waiting around, ready to perform at all hours of the day.”

“But you were awake enough to hang out with Brooks.”

I scoff, fighting the urge to round on him and cause a scene. “You’re acting like a child. Brooks is my friend. That’s all we are.”

“Remember that next time I call. Don’t waste your time hanging out with boys when you can spend time with a man.”

The laugh that escapes me is bitter and a little too loud. And this time I can’t help but turn to him. “Ha. Because you’re acting like such a man right now. Forcing your nephew to do push-ups on the ice because he played with your toy.”

He glares at me, his brow pulled low and his chest heaving. “Watch your fucking tone. And stay away from him.”

Suddenly, standing between Beckett and Liv when she discovers he bought a dog sounds much more appealing than watching practice. “You don’t get to tell me who I can and cannot hang out with.”I spin on my heel and stomp away, annoyed beyond belief.

I falter when Sebastian’s warning hits me. “But he’ll be the one to pay for it.”

Hours later, I’m still fuming, though I’m also filled with a perverse excitement, knowing I’m actively disobeying Sebastian.

The knock on my door comes at exactly five o’clock. When Brooks says he’ll do something, he does it. I, on the other hand, am still jumping around in my bedroom, tugging a pair of jeans up my legs. My hair is still a mess and my makeup is only half done.

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