Page 35 of Pucking Revenge

I cough out a laugh. “Good. Didn’t know I’d make you so happy. Figured it’d piss Seb off.”

Brooks exhales a loud breath, and his shoulders drop. “Right. Yeah.” He finally releases me, and when he steps away, I’m hit with a shot of cool air.

“I gotta go get changed. See you out there.”Then he’s wandering off, past his brother, his demeanor a little less cocky than before.

Aiden watches him go too, then focuses on me. He’s wearing a frown that doesn’t at all fit his happy-go-lucky attitude. My stomach sinks when he gives his head an almost imperceptible shake.

Shit. What did I say?

“Show’s over. Get changed!”

I practically jump out of my skin at the sound of Seb’s sharp bark, but I steady myself quickly.

“Ms. Case, I don’t think we have any PR concerns right now. We’ll see you after the game.”

With the biggest smile I can muster plastered to my face, I spin on my heel. “Just saying hello to my boyfriend and wishing the guys good luck.”

Sebastian is wearing a game-day suit, black with a royal blue tie, like always. His dark hair is tousled like he spent the last hour pulling on it. Or maybe his wife did. “Girlfriends aren’t allowed in the locker room, Ms. Case.”

With a wink, I saunter past him and point to the name on my back as I go. “This one is.”

TWELVE

BROOKS

I take my time gliding out onto the ice for warm-ups. War is already glaring at New York’s lineup, likely scrolling through his mental list of their weaknesses. He loves to taunt. Loves to throw people off their game. More than anything, he loves to fight.

I don’t get to fight anyone. Not that I’ve ever felt the rush to punch an opponent in the face. I play for the thrill of the game, the rush of a save, the sound of a rowdy crowd when I stop a puck. I like bringing pleasure to those around me.

Today, all the excitement that comes with the game is missing. And I’d really like to fight someone.

“Brooks, drop and give us a hundred!” Coach bellows without even looking up from his iPad as he sits on his end of the bench.

“What the hell has gotten into him?” War groans, tossing his head back. “He’s been riding your ass all week.”

Aiden shakes his head and does a fucking spin in front of me. “He’s taking this Sara thing to the extreme.” His voice is quiet enough that I’m the only one who hears him.

I drop my stick to the ice and go down with it, then grunt out a loud one. I keep up the loud counting as I go, and when the crowd behind the net counts along with me, I know this will be all over social media tomorrow. Asshole wants to make me a monkey, then I’ll play along for now.

I finish off my set, and when I hop to my feet, the crowd cheers. Half a dozen women in the section ask if I’m single or beg for my number. Even more turn around and show off the number 13 on their backs.

With a polite nod to the stands, I turn to the bench and zero in on the only girl who’s ever made my pulse race at the sight of her wearing my jersey.

Sara with my number on her back and my name across her shoulders is quite literally the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

Would have been hotter if she’d actually worn it for me.

She smiles and waves at me. Behind her, Coach is glowering, so I tap my fingers against my heart and point at her. That goddamn smile, the most beautiful sight in the world, grows wider, and her cheeks go rosy pink.

Parker skates up and stops short, spraying me with a bit of ice. “I know that look.”

I shake my head but don’t take my attention off Sara. This guy has no room to talk. He fell in love with my sister-in-law’s roommate last year. On the nights she came to watch him play, he could barely walk straight, let alone stay up on his damn skates.

“Just focus on New York and keep them out of my goal.”

With a grin, he skates off to get into position.

Tonight’s game is a big one. Boston and New York will never not be rivals in any sport, but the personal connection here adds even more pressure. Seb’s brother’s kid plays for New York, and much like I’m known as the saint, Vin is known as the asshole. He’s intentionally gone after Aiden on the ice multiple times. Only reason he hasn’t come for meis because I never get in fights.

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