Page 28 of The Bro-code

“That’s if you get enough ice time,” another familiar voice says.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I scowl at the sight of Topher in a Cove Knights hoodie and joggers. “Suspended players aren’t required to come to training.”

I should guess what happened from Topher’s arrogant smirk. “Come on Captain,” he chides me. “For someone on a scholarship, you sure aren’t that bright. Did you really think that Coach Harrison’s ridiculous suspension would stick? It took my old man one phone call to Dean Williams to show our coach who’s in charge.”

I fucking hate this guy. I hated him from the second I met him during rush week of freshman year and even more when he asked Bay out before I could. Before Bay and I were ever friends. “You don’t fucking say.” I mutter.

“My father just donated the school the car park for the new arena. Generations of students and townies will park their vehicles in the Mumford car park for years to come.”

I snort. “Ah, so your daddy bought you your spot back on the team? Well done, Topher.”

He doesn’t detect the sarcasm in my tone. “I know you don’t get it Marshall, but this is how it is when you come from old money. What’s a pesky dare, when there are several buildings with my family name on campus? Even Coach couldn’t say no to the Dean if he wanted to keep his job.”

I can’t help a dig of my own. “That might be so, but last year you really didn’t have a lot of competition in your position, since Corey was still very green, but this year? Good luck getting ice time with Corey and Ryker on the roster. Your daddy might have opened the checkbook to get you back on the team, but even he can’t buy you a starting spot.”

He knows I’m right and he also knows that Coach Harrison helped Ryker secure his transfer to Star Cove with the intention of making him our starting center.

And personal history aside, Ryker is ten times the player Topher will ever be.

I know it, Ryker knows it and even Topher deep down knows it.

“We’ll see,” Tooher grins. “Last year things went off the rails, but this year? I’m gonna make sure everything returns the way it should be. Which means I’ll be the team’s starting center and captain and I’ll get my girl back.”

“Yeah dream on,” I snort. “Bay wouldn’t get back with you if you were the last man on Earth. She said that last night. So if you thought that time and distance would make her forget finding you screwing a puck bunny in her bed, you better think again.”

Topher’s smile widens. “Aww how adorable. Do you think you have a chance in hell with Bay? To her you’re just a friend, one of the girls. For all intents and purposes, you might even become a Zeta, that’s how she sees you. You’re so friend-zoned that if the friend-zone had a VIP area, you’d have the best seat.”

His words sting, but I know Bay and there’s no way she’ll ever let Topher back in. She has too much self-respect to forgive him for cheating and for what he tried to do to Lakyn.

“It’s better to be in the friend-zone than to be the person she hates the most in the entire school.” I bite out. “The way I see it, you’ll have a lot of time to think about what you lost while you watch our games from the bench. There’s no way you’ll get Bay to take you back and no way you’ll ever outperform Ryker on the ice.”

Topher barks out a laugh. “Wanna bet?”

“Fuck off, Topher,” I snarl.

“Too soon?” he continues to goad me. “Don’t worry, I have better things to do than to play games with a loser like you. Besides, I know all Ryker’s weaknesses. His game hasn’t changed much since high school.”

I look at Ryker and the expression on his face tells me that they know each other. “What? Did you go to school with him and Jagger?”

My best friend explains. “No, but we faced Topher’s school a few times on the ice.”

Go figure. I guess all these fancy prep schools on the East Coast are quite a closed clique at the end of the day.

“Right,” Ryker intervenes. “And I kicked your ass every time we played each other there. You’re already used to it, so it’ll be easier to stomach when you don’t get to play at all this year.”

I already knew I liked Ryker, but he’s just earned some brownie points. If it’s up to me, we should take Corey under our wing and help him secure a spot on the second line. Playing third string will teach Topher some much needed humility.

“We’ll see.” Topher smiles. “By the way Moore, we have one room left in the Gamma house but I didn’t see your application to move in?”

Ryker’s expression remains stony. “That’s because I didn’t apply.”

Topher looks genuinely confused. “Why not? You’re a senior, a hockey player and a Gamma brother. You’d have every right to live on Greek Row.”

Ryker starts picking at the tape on his stick. “Yeah, no. My membership has been inactive since last year. I’m done with all the Greek bullshit. I’m renting an apartment off campus.”

His answer doesn’t seem to satisfy Topher. “Where’s your fucking team spirit, Moore? It’s tradition that the Star Cove Knights are also members of Gamma Delta Tau.”

I’ve witnessed Ryker’s team spirit many times at training camp and to be honest, I fucking admire the way he doesn’t let Topher intimidate him. “Team spirit means I have your back on the ice and whenever we train, Mumford. If you need someone to wipe your ass and tuck you in at night, it just isn’t me. I love taking a break from campus life, so give that room to another brother who wants it. I’m not moving into the Gamma house.”

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