Page 19 of Well Played

SECRETS ON SKATES

BY KALLI DEAN

Hazel always felt overshadowed by her hockey star brother Mason. But when she secretly becomes the Glacier Bay Blizzards' mascot, she finally finds her place on the ice. There's just one problem: she's falling for Seth, Mason's best friend and the team's star defenseman.

As Hazel juggles her secret identity, and her growing feelings for Seth, she learns that sometimes the best plays can happen both on and off the ice. This is a secret identity, brother's best friend, enemies to lovers romance that proves that love can bloom in the most unexpected places – even inside a bear suit.

1

Do you have a secret identify?I do. And it’s a good one. Its one where I get to watch all the action, evencausesome of the action, and no one knows it’s me. Not even my brother, Mason, the hot shot goalie for the Glacier Bay Blizzards. Every week we go to Sunday dinner at our parents and he whinges that the team mascot keeps taunting him.

That’s me!

I’m the mascot.

I’m the Glacier Bay Blizzards polar bear and I do taunt him. Every. Single. Game.

Only now he’s enlisted more of the team on his side, including Seth, the right defenseman, and the only person who my panties melt off for every time I see him. So now my brother is bringing him, and some of the other team, to Sunday lunch every week.

They would never guess that it’s me in the polar bear suit. The bear is slick and skates on the ice effortlessly. In real life I’m awkward and fall over my own feet constantly; yet for some reason I find the ice easy to navigate.

“Hazel, are you even listening me to me?” I hear Mason ask as he throws a bread roll at my head. “Pass the green beans Sprout.”

“Stop calling me sprout. It’s not funny anymore,” I said, as I pass the beans to him.

“Sprout?” Seth asks as he takes the beans from me.

“We always thought she would grow taller, but never did, so, Sprout.” My dad explained as I died from embarrassment.

My short five foot two didn’t come close to their six three and over. I’ve always been the odd one out in the family, and that’s why I decided to take up the mascot for the Blizzards. I wanted something just for me that no one would criticise me for, or tell me what a nerd I am. I admit, I did take it too far last game when I snuck up behind Mason and placed a bullseye on his butt, but the crowd loved it, just as they love the mascot as much as the players.

The only person who knows is my bestie, Josie, and I know she won’t say anything because she’s had the hots for my brother since middle school, when saved her from being picked on by the bigger boys.

"So, what's the plan for catching this mascot?" Seth asked, taking a bite of the green beans.

Mason sighed. "I don't know, but I'm determined to find out who it is. They're driving me crazy!"

I tried to hide my smirk by stuffing my face with mashed potatoes. If only they knew.

"Maybe we could set a trap," Seth suggested.

I nearly choke on my potatoes. The thought of them trying to catch me with a trap was hilarious.

"I just don’t know why it picks on me all the time," Mason grumbled.

I smiled.Okay. Maybe I should focus on some other team members for a change.

As the conversation shifted to other topics, I couldn't help but steal glances at Seth. His chiselled jaw, his broad shoulders, and those piercing blue eyes. He was a real panty dropper. If only I could get him to look at me like a woman and not his best friend’s sister.

I excused myself from the table, asking dad if I could use his workshop as I needed to make some calls. In reality, I needed to plan my next move as the mascot. I had to keep them on their toes. As I sat at my desk, sketching out ideas for my next prank, I heard a knock on my door. "Come in!" I called, assuming it was my dad.

Seth poked his head in and then stepped into my room, closing the door behind him. "Your mom wanted me to come and get you. Something about your favorite dessert?"

I laughed. "Mom knows the way to my heart. Pecan pie and fresh cream."

Seth grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. His touch sent shivers down my spine. “That’s my favourite too.”

Okay. Is he flirting?

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