Page 109 of The Trophy

The guys and I are determined to make things work even in the worst case scenario where we’d all go to different teams; but for once in my life, I want to think positive and believe that we’ve got this in the bag and in a few short months, we’ll be sharing a mansion in Bridgeport with the woman of our dreams.

The atmosphere in the locker room is electric, it’s like a huge party with all my teammates hollering and laughing.

I’m glad Luca planned to spend a quieter night at the Country Club and even booked us a suite, because if my teammates are rowdy now, I can only imagine the shenanigans that will go down once they’ve had a few drinks.

“Yo Hanbury,” one of our freshmen D-men David hollers. “You were a fucking impenetrable wall tonight. The Wall will win us the Frozen Four trophy! CASH, CASH, CASH!”

Everyone in the locker room joins him and what the hell can I say? It feels really good to see my team appreciate my performance.

It’s nice to have Coach and the press and the scouts telling you that you’re at the top of your game, but there’s no better validation than the one coming from your peers.

We’re all here soaking in the glory of a great season so far… or almost all here. I don’t see Topher anywhere in all honesty, I couldn’t care less about his whereabouts. If by chance he got run over by the Zamboni, I’m not ashamed to say that I wouldn’t shed one single tear.

One thing I’m always happy to shed is all the protective gear I have to wear on the ice. We all need it, but when you’re a goalie, it’s next level.

I’m looking forward to hitting the shower and anticipating a fun night with my best friends and Lakyn when the other person whose absence stood out steps into the locker room.

The noise dies down the second someone spots Coach Harrison and word goes around that Coach is here.

“Well done, ladies.” Coach’s usually stony expression is firmly in place, the only sign that he’s pleased with our season is the hint of a curve of the corners of his upper lip.

You could easily blink it and miss it.

“Y’all know I’m not a fan of big speeches,” he says, looking around the locker room. “All I want to say is that you’ve done a good job, but it’s not over yet. To really be in the Frozen Four, we gotta be one of the four teams in the semifinals. I’m not going to accept anything but one hundred percent from each and every one of you. This is why, when you’re celebrating tonight, remember that we still have an early morning skate at 7 am sharp tomorrow.”

A collective groan conveys how unimpressed with Coach’s work ethic everyone really is.

“If you think complaining like little bitches is going to make me feel sorry for you, think again,” Coach says, this time with a full on evil grin. “If you want to party, I’m not telling you not to, but just be aware that the season is all but over. This is actually the most important stretch. This is where you need to give it your all. Especially for the ones here who hope to go pro. That said, have a good night and remember: don’t do anything to embarrass the team or to embarrass yourself or I’ll make you regret the day you were born. Are we fucking clear?”

There’s a chorus of halfhearted “yes, Coach,” but of course that isn’t the reaction Coach expects from us.

“I SAID,” he yells, his nostrils flaring. “ARE WE FUCKING CLEAR?”

This time we all holler. “YES, COACH.”

His grin widens, but it’s just for a fleeting moment. “That’s more like it.” Coach’s gaze lands on me. “Hanbury, I need to see you in my office. Right now. Dunne and Rossi too.”

A look passes between me and the guys. What could this be about?

“If you give us five minutes to shower—” I begin, but I’m cut off by a curt NOW.

Whatever this is about, if it can’t wait for us to wash off the sweat of three intense periods on the ice, that surely can’t be good.

CHAPTER 22

THE DARE - PART 2

BLAZE

“NOW!” Coach Harrison bites out before turning on his heels and leaving the locker room with the proverbial dark cloud over his head.

Judging by his tone and by the look on his face, this can’t be good.

The guys and I scramble out of the locker room, trailing behind our coach.

We look at each other but don’t dare voice our questions about what could have possibly happened to get us summoned into Coach’s office without even giving us time to take a well deserved shower.

I see the same confusion I feel in Cash and Luca’s faces and that does nothing to calm my frayed nerves.

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