Page 13 of The Break Out

I wave her off. “It’s fine, it’s just my initial reaction to anything having to do with my brother regardless of the subject matter. But also, gross.”

“Well, you’re not related to Charlie so I can tell you all about what his reward is if they win tonight,” Audrey beams.

“Thanks, but no thanks on that one too,” I say, laughing.

During the next period there’s a small altercation between Kenneth and Audrey’s boyfriend Charlie. It gets broken up before anything really happens and I just shake my head at all the drama between these guys. I know it’s the nature of hockey, but these teams have a hatred that runs deeper than just the game.

The crowd loudly opposes when the Spartans get a goal, and it fires up the Dragons even more. Every time Colton is on the ice I notice that he’s not as aggressive toward his old team as he usually is during a game.

I hate that I notice that but considering he’s usually one of the players causing massive fights, with some dirty hits. Not this game. If anything, sometimes it almost looks like he’s playing against his teammates rather than with them. Even though I can’t see my brother, I know he’s probably pissed, but hiding it like he always does.

The teams are tied going into the third period and they are both playing like its game seven of the playoffs, not just one of the first games of the season. Everyone’s eyes are glued to the ice, I’m hoping the Dragons win purely because I don’t want to deal with any moping.

That dream fades when the Spartans score once again putting them ahead by one with only five minutes left in the game. Hockey can change in a second and I know this doesn’t mean it’s over at all.

And yet, after five minutes it is over. The Spartans won.

“Well, that fucking sucked,” Audrey huffs as we all start to make our way down to the tunnel to meet the guys.

It doesn’t take long before some of the players start to exit the locker room, clearly wanting to get out of here as soon as possible after the loss. Vince greets us with a smile on his face the second he sees Chandler, like the shitty game doesn’t even phase him now.

“Hey baby,” he greets her with a kiss on her cheek. She blushes, leaning into him.

“Are we going out to commiserate?” Audrey asks.

Chandler groans, rubbing her hand on her stomach. “Not me. You all can enjoy, but I’m going to sleep for the foreseeable future.”

“I’m going wherever you go.” Vince wraps his arms around Chandler, placing his hands on her very pregnant belly.

Charlie joins us, his girlfriend turns to him and asks, “Are we going out?”

“Uh, I didn’t really have any plans to. Are you wanting to?” Charlie looks around at the rest of us, clearly caught off guard by her question.

“I’m down,” I announce, even though I’m exhausted too, and want nothing more than to crawl into bed like Chandler.

“Down for what, Baby Collee? Me? It’s about damn time,” Colton says, sneaking up on me and throwing that damn arm around my shoulders again. I immediately push him away, but he just chuckles.

“Give it up.” I roll my eyes.

“I’m going out with some of my old teammates, so if you decide you want to have somerealfun tonight, Princess, hit me up.”

“Won’t happen.”

The words don’t leave my mouth, instead, Brent beats me to it as he approaches. His eyes locked on Colton who’s already walking away.

I turn toward my brother. “What did I say? I can handle myself.”

“You’re still my little sister,” he grunts. I know he’s already mad about the loss and catching Colton hitting on me yet again is not helping the situation.

“Ew don’t call me that,” I joke, trying to dissipate some of the tension that’s surrounding us.

“Anywayyyy,” Audrey exaggerates the syllable, also trying to relieve some of the weird tension that’s fallen over all of us. “You’re still coming out, Brynn?”

“Yup, let’s leave these party poopers to their lame night in.”

8

Imeet up with some of my old teammates at a bar downtown near the hotel they’re staying at. Kenneth is with them, which is not someone I want to hang out with, but I’d rather see my old team, myrealteam, than go out with the fuckers from Denver.

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