Page 73 of The Pucking Fake Marriage

Finally, some damn peace. I lean against the wall, letting the cold sink in, trying to tame the fire that’s burning inside me.

I take a moment to relish that Alex will be wasting time looking for me in the pack before having to inform Charlie I managed to slip past them.

Good, I think. Really, screw him for bringing her here.

The next ten minutes pass by in a blur. Finally, when I’m sure it’s almost time for the second period, I make my way back to the arena.

Tanner seizes me the moment I reappear in the vicinity of the bench.

“Where the fuck did you get off to?” he cries. “You’re going on the ice in five.”

I raise my brows. “What?”

“Yeah,” Luke, who’s right at his shoulder, confirms. “We’re not going to win this shit if you’re not out there. Strafer can’t read cues.” He mutters the last sentence in a monotone.

Blake merely grimaces his approval.

“I…” The wordcan’tis right on my lips before I pull it back. I’ve never been benched before, and now I’m about to turn down the offer to get back on the ice because of Charlie. I still don’t know why the fuck she’s here, but I’m not going to keep ruining my future because I’m too damn stupid to focus on my life.

“Fine,” I spit. Blake gives me a grin, while Tanner appears to be torn between relief and uncertainty.

I try to ignore the overhead commentators—“Looks like the Titans are making a daring move again, going for past glory over future potential.”—Blake claps me on the shoulder before skating away, Luke and Nelson right behind him. I’m left adjusting my gloves with Tanner at my right.

“A little advice, Edwards.” His voice comes out in a grudging whisper as he hands me my stick. He glances over at Charlie. “She’s not worth it.”

My throat tightens. Even after everything she’s done to me, my first instinct is to smash his face in for talking shit about Charlie.

“Maybe.” I look away from Tanner and pull on my helmet. “Maybe not.”

Then I skate onto the ice to a resounding din of boos.

TWENTY-ONE

ON THIN ICE (KEN)

Anger, more than anything, keeps me laser-focused.

In ten minutes, I’ve broken through the Blades’ defense twice and scored two goals—one of them unassisted. The boos from the crowd die off faster than I expected. Now the spectators are losing their minds, our opponents are getting more desperate with every play, and Coach Tanner is losing it on the bench, screaming his lungs out.

“Nice to have you back, Edwards!” Blake shouts as he skates by, nearly colliding with me in his excitement.

“Really, really fucking great,” Luke says from my other side.

Time is running down fast in the second period, but the Blades aren’t letting up. Their center drives hard toward our goal again, and we all tighten up on defense. Luke gains control of the puck and sends it my way with a solid pass. I manage to slip past their center and start charging toward their goal, but the buzzer sounds before I can take the shot.

“And that’s the buzzer for the end of the second period, folks! The Titans are showing why they’re the defending champions with that stunning comeback.”

“Not sure how the Blades are going to turn this around now. With Edwards back on the ice, they might as well pack up.”

“So, you go from being told to hang it up to being the best player out there,” Luke laughs, skating up beside me. “Figures.”

Blake flashes a quick middle finger up toward the broadcast booth. “Assholes.” He then turns to me and says, “Let’s head in for the intermission huddle.”

We skate off the ice together as the period ends. As soon as we hit the tunnel, a few cameras flash, and reporters start shouting questions. It’s not the full post-game chaos, but they’re already looking for soundbites.

“I know this happens every time,” Blake says. “But it still stuns me how you can go from being the most hated player to the most loved one in ten minutes. Alex went through this bullshit too. That’s what I dislike most about playing hockey.”

I shrug. Adrenaline is pulsing through me, and I feel more alive, moreme,than I have in a very long time. Months even, since Charlie came back into my life. This is what I spent my life working toward, perfecting a sport and excelling at it. Being celebrated for it, even.

---