Page 78 of Rule Breaker

Coach called us back to the bench for a final talk before the game started.

“Melnyk, Moss, Rowland, Lund, St. Pierre, you’re up. Show them how it’s done!”

The ref skated onto the ice and blew his whistle, getting everyone’s attention. And when I stepped out, I was ready.

First period, and we’re on fire. Dane scored, then Axel. I also got my first assist of the season. I was so revved up that when I skated past Maddox, he offered his blocker to me, and I tapped it. It wasn’t a pat on the ass, but I’d take it. And thank God, Playing Rockland College wasn’t the mayhem that was us against Boston.

For the rest of the game, it seemed like nothing could stop us.

We were up 3-0 by the second period. Rockland still hadn’t scored, and it didn’t look like it was about to happen anytime soon. All our guys were glued to the fucking puck in every play, with none of us letting up. Their goalie started looking tired; after so many shots on goal, we wore him down.

By the time the third period rolled around, though, we’d hit a bit of a bump. Silas, up until this point, was killing it. Until he let one of Rockland’s forwards slip past him. The guy fired awicked slapshot, and we held our collective breath as the puck took flight.

It was a beautiful corner shot. But it was no match for Mad’s reflexes. No goal. And while Rockland’s crowd sat silent, everyone on our team celebrated. We jumped off the bench and yelled as loud as we could, then I got the team chanting Maddox’s name.

And by the time the final buzzer sounded, it was 3-0 Cougars. Shut the fuck up, it was a shutout! The bench was lit. Even Coach was smiling.

We rushed from our box to center ice to celebrate. Everyone except Maddox.

He was skating in front of his net, tapping the bar, and watching us. I could sense that he wanted to join in, but also that he needed to hold back. He didn’t like crowds or being crowded. I gave him that space, but once we calmed down, which, let’s face it, for a group of college players, takes a while, I ambled over to give him a hug.

He needed one, whether he liked it or not. And what was more surprising? He let me. For about five seconds. Then he pushed me away and told me to fuck off.

That was the moment I knew I was falling hard for Maddox Rocher.

CHAPTER 28

KAYDEN

Three hours later, I was still riding the high of that win. And the fact I got to share it with Maddox. And we’d sure as fuck share another celebration tonight. In private.

Since we played an evening game, we were out at a late team supper, and then one more night in our hotel before leaving first thing in the morning. I glanced down the table. Maddox had taken the seat on the end again. Trying to keep our distance, even though I didn’t want any.

When I thought about this morning, how intense it was to come together like that, I realized how badly I wanted him. I wanted more. But I hadn’t brought lube or condoms or anything like that with me. Then again, we kept going back and forth, and it’s not like I was expecting anything to happen on this trip. I wasn’t sure what we were doing, except everything that felt good.

I hadn’t lied. I wanted him to fuck me. But I also knew that I had to prepare for anal. And that meant, I had online purchases to make. And more experimenting to do. Then I’d be ready. Until then, hand jobs and blow jobs would have to do. Just thinking about having sex with Maddox had my body flushing hot and my brain short-circuiting. Between that and the adrenaline rush of awin, my hormones were out of control. And I wasn’t sure how I was gonna make normal conversation with my teammates.

Until Dane nudged me.

“You okay there? Why so quiet?”

“What?” I croaked, then cleared my throat. “I mean, yes, I’m good. Amazing. You?”

“On top of the fucking world.” He smiled and held his glass up. “Hey guys, let’s have a toast. To a shutout! We shut down Rockland and we’re just getting started!”

Everyone raised their glasses and cheered.

Thankfully, that got me out of my headspace and forced me to think of topics other than sex.

As we finished up our dinner, I opened my backpack, pulled out the bag of bracelets I’d made, and passed them around. Yup, I’d made good use of that kit. All in team colors, of course, green and gold. Well, almost all of them…

“Hey, Kayden!” Jace called out. “Why does Rocher get black and yellow?”

“That’s simple,” I replied with a smile. “Cause he’s my angry bee.”

Maddox shook his head and gave me two of his best fingers while all the guys clapped and hollered. I don’t think he minded the joke, though. He still wore the damn bracelet. And seeing it on him filled me with a pride I hadn’t expected.

“What does it say?” Jace asked Maddox.

---