Page 130 of Melting the Ice

Butthatwas a whole different-ass problem.

It was weird how two people on the ice and then off the ice could be so different.

On the ice, the Evergreens’ first line was a well-oiled machine.

Off the ice, though, it was an entirely different story and it felt like half the shit Elliott said and did in the locker room was to rile Mal up.

Brody wanted to say it didn’t work, because Malcolm had always been a pretty level-headed guy, but with Elliott, healwaysrose to the bait.

It was baffling, and more than a little frustrating.

“No way, if you’re not passing, you need to stay on the bench,” Brody stressed to Ramsey. “Coach wouldn’t even put you in, anyway.”

“Believe me, I know that,” Ramsey said. “I practically fucking begged him earlier today.”

“Well, I know you’re frustrated, but I can’t say I’m surprised. You gotta sit this week out. Heal, right?”

“Right,” Ramsey agreed reluctantly. “But it’s fucking bullshit! I hate watching you skate with Greene.” Ramsey glanced up and saw Nate Greene watching them, and he added, quickly, “not that you’re doing a bad job. I swear. It’s just . . .Brody’smine.”

“Think Brody’s man might have something to say about that,” Elliott teased.

Brody froze, eyes glued to Ramsey’s.

But it seemed nobody in the locker room was even slightly bothered by this or even reallynoticed. Everyone else kept moving along, taping up and gearing up, Finn doing his warmups on the other end of the cavernous room.

“Ell, you can’t fucking say that shit,” Malcolm hissed at him.

“Why not?” Elliott looked genuinely confused. “Aren’t they together? But at the fundraiser—”

Brody found his voice and cut this speculation off. “Yeah, you’re right. Dean’s my man,” he said, with a casualness he knew sounded studied. He couldn’t quite make it sound natural, but maybe that was okay. Maybe it was fine because coming out to your teammateswasa big deal.

“Thought so,” Elliott said, shooting Mal a smug look.

“I didn’t say theyweren’t,” Malcom hissed back at him. “I only was saying you can’t go around outing people without their permission.”

“Does he look bothered?” Elliott demanded. Mal shot him a look full of frustrated annoyance.

“Children,” Brody said, even though Mal was actually older than he was. “Let’s get along, okay?”

“Oh, so you’re finally gonna say something to these two, huh?” Ivan said, rolling his eyes. “Where you been all year?”

Brody pulled off his shirt and tugged down his sweatpants. “I’ve been here, I just thought they might work it out on their own without interference.”

“We’re not fighting,” Malcolm objected. “We’re fine.”

It was Brody’s turn to roll his eyes. “Uh-huh, sure.”

“Maybe you should fuck it out,” Ramsey suggested, and Brody leaned over, elbowing him in the side.

“They shouldnot,” Brody said under his breath.

“Agreed,” Zach said, striding into the room half a second too soon to miss Ramsey’s suggestion.

“Don’t worry, I have good taste. I wouldn’t ever,” Mal said, shooting Elliott another one of those daggered looks.

Elliott just shrugged. “I think you’ve got more likenontaste, myself.”

Zach’s gaze went from one to the other. “Enough,” he said shortly. “We’ve got practice to prep for.” He turned to Ramsey. “I know you can’t do any cooperative drills, but you can drill some basics. Anything non-contact.”

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