Page 2 of Rinkmates

Away from the ice rink, I’m pretty chill; maybe a bit cocky sometimes, but mostly I like to think things through. But when it’s hockey time, my brain just goes haywire.

All I see is winning.

I don’t see players—I see rivals.

I see red.

After getting trounced by the Bears, that ass Houston wasted no time rubbing salt in the wound.

I know we have a code of conduct, and incidents of violence or misconduct can result in disciplinary actions. But the other teams are also aware of the code. It was a planned move, and I walked right into their trap. If I’m lucky, I’ll only be benched for one game.

Despite my best friend’s efforts to get me out before anything could happen, it was already too late. In just sixty seconds, Houston said the one thing that would always set me off. Jayce had no chance to talk me out of it. Even with all the anger management techniques I’ve learned, there was no stopping me.

And within mere seconds, my ears felt like they were getting pounded by a sledgehammer, my vision faded to black, and before I knew it, I was spitting blood.

And Houston? He was out cold.

“I thought we talked about this. I thought you learned from the past.” Ethan shakes his head, and I notice his black tie lying abandoned, a crumpled heap on the floor. His light blue shirt hangs loosely on his shoulders, collar splayed open in defiance of its usual pristine state.

This is a side of him I have never witnessed before.

I used to tease him about having a broomstick up his ass because of how impeccably put together he always is, but today, that image shatters like glass around me. “I’m constantly defending you to the league, Ri. You’re always on edge, and it’s becoming a real problem.” I open my mouth to respond, but he cuts me off. “I already told you, everyone is fed up with you. You get triggered so easily. Boy, you need help.”

“We tried therap—”

“No,” Ethan says, and for the first time, I feel like he’s on the brink of losing it too. My gaze snaps to the tension in his jaw, the way the muscles bulge and twitch. “Youletmetalk now. Keepflappin’ your mouth and you’ll be out on your ass faster than you can say ‘waivers.’ And with your reputation for brawling on and off the ice, no other team in their right mind would touch you. Everyone knows if there’s a headache on the team, it’s probably coming from you. We’re at a breaking point here. Either you get you need to change, or I’ll quit.”

My throat tightens and I struggle to breathe.

So heisbreaking up with me. Almost.

I try to swallow down what Ethan just said.

His words strike me harder than any physical blow I’ve ever received.

As the saying goes, the truth can be painful, and right now, it feels like my entire world is collapsing around me.

My fingers drum impatiently on my denim-clad thigh, trying not to rip them apart. How can I possibly leave the Falcons? They’re more than just a team, they’re my family, and our journey to the top is just beginning. Without hockey, what am I?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I can’t help it and stupidly blurt out, “But I’m leading in goals this season. They wouldn’t—”

“Sure, but rumor has it you’re a hotheaded dick making hockey look bad. Not only are you disappointing the kids who idolize you, but you’re also giving everyone fodder to label hockey as the epitome of toxic behavior. Congratulations, you’re turning the NHL into a laughingstock faster than you can lace up your skates. And hey, who needs critics when you’re doing such a great job making hockey look like a daycare for misbehaving toddlers?”

His voice rose until he shouted the last part, and I just blink. And blink again. Wow. He’s never screamed at me before.

“God, it’s okay, man,” I say, trying to breathe against the ringing in my ear.

“No, it’s not. And all those girls swooning over you won’t save your spot when your antics turn your career into something like figure skating.” He takes both of my shoulders in his hands and shakes me. “Wake! Up!”

“Okay, fine. I’ll take care of it,” I yell back, pulling myself out of his grip.

“You’ve said it over and over again. I’m done.”

A bitter laugh escapes my lips, almost sounding like a grunt. I’m at a loss for words, feeling incredibly uncomfortable in this situation. Laughing seems to be the only way to mask my inner turmoil right now.

“I got it, Ethan,” I repeat and glance at Nina again, but the expressions on the police officers’ faces tell me a lawsuit is bound to happen. “And I’ll take care of the damages at the bar.”

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