Page 13 of Spite Crush

No problem there, that was exactly what I planned to do.

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By time the third period was ticking down, we were up three-nothing and the Blade were starting to fight back just as dirty as I was. Unfortunately, we were at their arena which meant they were getting away with a lot more than me.

“Damn, ref!” I yelled as I shoved Carmichael back from where he’d just pinned me to the glass with his stick across my shoulders. “You’re missing a real good fucking game here!”

Carmichael lost his balance and fell to the ground and I laughed as I skated around him, scraping the puck and pushing off toward their goal where I faked then slammed the puck home to bring us to four-nil.

“Hat trick mother fucker!” Josh screamed as he skated into me, hugging me hard.

For a moment, it looked like he’d been about to say something else, but then the rest of the squad joined us in a hug before we broke apart and skated off to finish the game.

Which was good, because I was pretty sure I knew what he was going to say. And as I glanced toward the stands where Kellen was sitting, I knew Josh would have been correct.

I was absolutely showing off for the rock star.

And while I didn’t think Kellen was stupid enough to cheer for me in a sea of Blade fans, I wanted to believe that he was rooting for me on the inside.

Even if I couldn’t understand why I cared at all.

The game ended in a four-nothing shut out and everyone was in high spirits in the locker room afterward. We were back on a winning streak and we had the next three nights off before a huge game against our biggest rivals, the Nevada Cobras, who were on a way bigger winning streak than we were. And the winner of that game would decide which of our teams would be headed to the playoffs.

“Great fucking game boys!” Sutherland yelled. “I know you all want to head out to celebrate, and you should, you earned it. Justremember, we’re in a host city, so don’t do anything to embarrass the team name.”

The team uttered their assurances that we’d all behave and Sutherland grinned, banging his fist against a locker a couple times.

“Bus leaves for home tomorrow at nine a.m. sharp. Text me if you’re getting your own ride back.” He looked over to me. “And buy your captain a drink, yeah? Fucking Hat Trick Dempsey!”

The team gave me a long, loud round of applause and I tried to looksheepish, but I knew I failed. Because I’d played like fire and I was fucking proud of it.

“Let’s get Dempsey drunk!” Carl shouted, sending up another round of cheers.

“Dempsey needs a fucking shower,” I reminded him. “As do all of you stank asses. But then, sure, let’s go have some fun.”

We showered and changed a little quicker than usual, all of us apparently eager to celebrate our win. But just as I was about to slide my phone into my pocket it chirped in myhand with a text from an unknown number.

Unknown Number

Was that for me?

I stared at the message for a full minute, almost afraid to hope that it was from Kellen Fox. It didn’t make sense. How would he have gotten my number?

“You boys decent in here?” Naomi asked as she stepped into the locker room with a huge grin on her face. “Nice hat trick, Dempsey.”

She didn’t. She wouldn’t.

Would she?

“No press,” I growled at her. “You know the rules. Not in the locker room, Naomi.”

“I’m not here as press,” she said, holding her hands up defensively in front of herself. “I’m here on behalf of the Blade, who would like you to join them at a private event. They’ve booked the Rusty Dog to congratulate you on your streak and to show there’s no hard feelings for…and I quote…Dempsey’s dirty ass. Also, Josh invited me to tag along. Off the record. Unless you have something to say?”

I fought not to groan out loud. Josh had always had a thing for Naomi, and while I couldn’t help worrying she was just stringing him along, it wasn’t my place to butt in. He kept my secrets for me, and I’d have his back with her.

My phone was still clutched in my hand, and Josh’s bad decision was almost daring me to make my own.

“We’re off the record completely tonight?” I asked her. “No matter what happens?”

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