Page 7 of Ice Cold Heart

Me: How about tonight? Me, the duck, and some reality TV? Entirely platonic.

My stomach tied itself into knots as three dots appeared then disappeared again. The world wouldn’t end if she told me to fuck off, but I hoped the draw of Henry would be enough to win me some points. At least enough to keep my texting privileges.

Avery: Are you trying to lure me into your chambers, good sir?

Me: We usually watch in the living room, but Eva and Gavin are taking up the couch.

Avery: Do your roommates know you spend time on the couch with your duck out?

Me: Is this going to be a theme in our conversations now?

Avery: Yes. You brought this on yourself.

Me: Worth it.

Avery: Have to pass for tonight. [sad face] Work stuff, then dinner plans. I want the duck daddy story tho. And send more pics.

Me: Done.

Achievement unlocked—permission to text at will. I couldn’t control my grin, but I saw the time and cursed. Probably for the best she couldn’t come over since I was supposed to be on my way to meet with Coach. He’d have to deal with the grin I couldn’t wipe off my face.

4

Gavin and Eva were gone when I came back downstairs, but Reece was standing in front of the fridge with the door open. His dark blond hair was tousled like he’d been running his hands through it, or someone else had, and he was glaring at the condiments.

“Problem?” I asked.

Reece didn’t bother looking my way. “Why are we always out of peanut butter?”

I shrugged, fully aware he couldn’t see me, and put on my sneakers. “I blame Mase when I can’t find something. His late-night snacks are getting out of hand.”

He sighed and closed the fridge. “Do we need to worry?”

“About Mase?” I straightened and tore my mind away from the seconds ticking down.

He’d been no moodier than normal, but now that Reece brought it up, I didn’t think Mase was sleeping in his room. We always left the couch and entertainment system free for when he needed something to take his mind off whatever haunted him at night, and the last couple of mornings our random throw had been folded on the edge of it instead of thrown over the back.

I glanced at the front door and knew we didn’t have enough time to fully discuss the situation if I wanted to make my meeting. Gavin and Eva should probably also be included, which meant we needed to talk tonight.

“Maybe?” I offered. “It wouldn’t hurt to have a house meeting tonight.”

Reece shook his head. “I’m out. I promised Sellers I’d check out a new club in Dallas with him.”

“Gavin and Eva are gone for like two weeks starting tomorrow, so do we ignore the warning signs until things escalate?”

His mouth thinned, and I felt the same irritation with waiting. “I guess. We’ll keep an eye out. If it starts looking like another Odessa, we call in the troops.”

Last year, Mase had passed out after our game in Odessa. He’d been a machine in the net, but weeks of no sleep caught up to him. We’d covered for him with Coach and the team, getting him home and taking turns sitting with him while he slept. Gavin blamed himself for not paying better attention, but the truth was Mase knew how to hide his shit.

None of us knew his history, but Mase was our brother. We’d do what needed to be done to protect him—even from himself. I nodded at Reece and finally climbed into my car parked at the curb. I’d lost the weekly dice roll for who had to deal with street parking, but I planned to take Gavin or Eva’s spot as soon as they left tomorrow.

I made it to Coach’s office with two minutes to spare. He wasn’t a big stickler for tardiness, but I hated being late. Coach was a broad man with muscle to spare, and any time he shifted in his chair, it gave a warning squeak. Some of the guys had a bet going to see how long it would last, but I was playing with the idea of taking up a collection to get him a new one before the old one tossed him on his ass.

Coach didn’t even wait until I’d sat down to jump right to the point. “I have someone in mind to help you with your English class.”

My whole body tensed up. “I can handle the workload.”

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his barrel chest. “You and I both know that’s a lie. You’ve been playing for me for three years, and I know how smart you are on and off the ice. There’s no shame in asking for help.” Coach nodded at the facility outside his door. “I need you eligible to play. Doing nothing hasn’t worked. Let’s try something new.”

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