Page 121 of Puck Princess

“He didn’t ask, Sharpe. He demanded it. Said it’s good for the face of the team.”

“What about thefateof the team? Come on, Coach, you know this is bullshit!”

But Coach Coleman is steady. He holds up a hand, and I know that’s my cue to reel it in. I physically bite my tongue.

“Do you really think I take orders from anyone?” he asks. “I might not have Santos’s money, but I have been coaching this team for a long time. Shit, I was the one that cherry picked you. Everyone else saw a hot-headed, smart-mouthed kid with talent he didn’t know how to control, but I saw potential. I still do.”

“They don’t give in to them. Don’t put me on the bench for some daddy’s boy with?—”

“Which is why I told them no.”

I hit the brakes. “What?”

“You’ve earned your spot, Sharpe. No one is just going to waltz in here and snag it from you. Not on my watch.”

The rage thrumming through me shifts to something else. Loyalty. Devotion.

To this team and this coach. To not letting snakes like Rodger and Spencer Santos steal what I’ve spent my life building.

“Thank you, Coach.”

“Don’t thank me just yet.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “They aren’t going to be happy about it. Calling this shot might make it the last game for both of us.”

“Well then—” I take a deep breath. “—let’s make it one to remember.”

“Do me a favor.” Callie is right in front of me, but the crowd is so loud that she has to yell.

I wouldn’t normally let anyone in the tunnel with me. This is when I need to focus on what’s ahead. But tonight, it helps to remember who is standing behind me. Callie. Coach. The rest of the Scythes.

The arena is going nuts as the announcer comes over the speakers. Not only is it a home game—it’s against one of our oldest rivals. It’s set to be the kind of game that reminds me whyI started playing in the first place. I try to cling to that and ignore the Santos of it all.

“What’s that?” I ask, pulling her close to me. I am already geared up and in my skates. I tower over her.

She stands on her toes, the world’s most perfect smile on her face. “Give ‘em hell tonight. For us.”

“Always.” I kiss her and then shove my mouthpiece in.

She slips back to stand with her uncle. Coach Coleman is behind me with Rodger Santos at his side.

The starters are waiting for our names to ring out through the arena. Spencer is at the front, the rest of the guys behind him. They’re all looking over their shoulders at me, confused about why he’s in my usual spot.

But I just wait.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, playing for your home team, the Scythes center…”

Spencer hunkers down, ready to make a show of his entrance.

I smile around my mouthguard.

“Owen Sharpe!”

“The fuck?!” Spencer lets out.

“What the hell is going on?” Rodger demands.

I move out around the team, my shoulder brushing Spencer’s as I pass him. Behind me, Rodger Santos is losing his mind.

“This is not what we agreed to.”

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