Page 3 of Puck Princess

I strip down in the empty locker room, making a point of throwing every piece of gear at the wall above Miles’s locker. The plaque with his name on it stays stubbornly shiny and perfect.

What in the actual fuck happened?

Six months ago we were fire. Our team was tight, and he was one of my best friends. Shit, I always took Miles for one of the better guys on the team. But when a wolf sheds the sheepskin,goddamn.

It makes me feel like I can’t trust anyone. Like I don’t know anyone. Right now, I don’t even feel like I know myself.

I shove all my shit into my locker and pause. I assumed Coach was kicking me out for one game, but what if that was it? The end of my time with the Scythes? I don’t know if I’m supposed toleave anything behind or clean out for good. Then I look at the locker next to mine. There’s a new tag.

Santos.

As if I needed another sign that I’m replaceable, here’s a literal one.

I grit my teeth. I’m not giving up that easily. I’m not giving up my team for some noob straight out of college with a pretty face and ‘roider biceps.

I hear the buzzer in the arena along with the muffled announcement of“Scythes in the lead.”

Then again, I might not have a choice.

I change into sweats without even wiping the blood off my face and make my way out the back exit to my car. Well, my rental. My car was obviously pronounced DOA, but I haven’t exactly had time to go car shopping.

As the roar of the game gets farther and farther away, I’m grateful for the quiet as I slide into the driver’s seat. As I start the engine, my phone rings. The car’s Bluetooth picks up the call and before I can figure out how to dismiss it, I’ve somehow accepted, and Summer’s voice blares through the speakers.

“Why the hell did you do that!?”

I lean my head back and wince. As the adrenaline wanes, everything hurts.

“I take it you were watching the game.”

“Of course I was watching! Even if I wasn’t, it’s already all over TikTok and the news and?—”

“I get it.” I close my eyes.

“So why did you do it?”

I let out a persecuted sigh. “Because he’s not who I thought he was.” The words are as sad as they are angry.

“How so?” Summer asks carefully. “Did something happen?”

“He lied to me. To the coach. To everyone. And it got Callie fired.”

“Hold up… when did Callie get fired? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Because being miserable takes up a lot of energy. I didn’t have it in me to explain it to my sister.

I dodge her second question. “It was last week. Miles lied about her coming onto him, and I guess she didn’t deny it because?—”

“She was trying to protect someone.” Summer’s words are hollow.

“Maybe?” I wipe my hand down my face, which also fucking hurts. “I don’t know. But I know I fucked up. Again.”

“This wasn’t about you, O,” she almost whispers. I can barely hear her. Then she clears her throat. “You already know what I’m going to say, but can you make it easier this time and actually listen?”

I don’t answer, but she carries on. Because she’s my sister and that’s what she does.

“Stop trying to fix everyone else’s lives. Please. And before you say it, I know you don’twantto do that. Hell, I’m starting to think you just don’t knowhowto do it. But you’ve got to take a step back, big brother.”

“I can’t step back when so much of the problem is my fault. You wouldn’t be where you are if I hadn’t come looking for you. And if I wasn’t a hockey player. And?—”

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