Page 25 of Holiday Hostilities

The thought is senseless, insignificant in the face of the information Reagan has just relayed to me. But committing thefact to memory helps me focus on something other than my spiking heart rate.

I earned this captaincy, I tell myself. I’ve played on this team for my entire career and I’ve been fully dedicated to the Cyclones. I was the alternate captain before this, and the natural pick to be Mal’s successor. People are aware of this. It’s just a fact.

“Thanks for the heads up, Reags.”

She’s picking at her fingernails, looking uncertain. “Tony will likely want to speak with you about this.”

“It’ll be fine. I appreciate the concern, though,” I reassure her with a small smile.

I believe it, too. Because there’s no way Coach is gonna buy this.

My teammates have had their fair share of media attention. Dallas has been linked to several famous models. Jake got in an off-ice brawl with the Cincinnati goalie after a game one night. Seb got drunkenly married in Vegas last Thanksgiving.

Coach Torres wasn’t the least bit interested in any of it. He’s here for hockey. And as long as nobody’s had a huge moral failure or done something illegal—and as long as it doesn’t affect our performance on the ice—he doesn’t give a damn what the tabloids say.

Reagan bounces from foot to foot, still seeming distracted and concerned.

I raise a brow at her. “Is there something else you’re not telling me?”

“Well, the gala is in ten days.”

Of course.Reagan is worried about the upcoming charity gala. And I get it—this is pretty unfortunate timing.

Every year, the Cyclones have a big Christmas charity event, such as our appearance at the children’s hospital two years ago that prompted my regular visits since. Reagan always organizesthe whole thing, and puts in months of hard work to make it special. Last year, we were Santa’s elves at a toy drive, and this year, she wanted to do something even bigger and better.

And what could be bigger and better than a “star-studded Winter Wonderland event with a huge charity auction,” as it’s being advertised everywhere on social media?

Last I heard, it’s set to raise more money than any of our past team Christmas events. And all proceeds will go to a nonprofit that gives underprivileged kids opportunities to play sports.

Yeah. Reagan really outdid herself this time.

The best part (according to her) will be the auction itself, where they’ll be auctioning off…us.

Like you’re big ol’ slabs of meat,were Reagan’s exact gleeful words, if I recall.

Which was charming.

And possibly not all together inaccurate.

She still won’t tell us what the auction will have usdoexactly—if we’re being auctioned as dates or manual labor or what—but the wicked smile on her face every time the subject gets brought up tells me that she’s got something up her sleeve.

Now, though, Reagan’s face is lined with worry, and so I put a hand on her shoulder, hoping to reassure her. “If you’re thinking that this whole cockroach-captaincy crap could overshadow the gala, it won’t,” I promise. “I know how hard you’ve worked on this, Reags, and it will get the recognition it deserves. And if this whole thing doesn’t blow over, I just won’t attend. I’ll match the donations privately to make up financially for my not being there.” I nod firmly. “Either way, I’ll make sure that nothing takes away from this event and the cause it’s for.”

She shakes her head. “As the new captain, you’re the main attraction this year. Youneedto be there.”

“That would certainly be for the best.”

The gravelly voice behind us has us both spinning around.

Tony Torres stands a few paces away down the hallway, his tanned, deeply lined face even more deeply lined than usual.

“Coach,” I start, and he holds up a hand to silence me.

“What a joke,” he says in his trademark rumble. His face tells me that he’s not happy. Not one bit. “I’d never consider replacing you with Slater because of one stupid media story. I trust you and your character, and I assume that whatever went down between you and that woman has been at least somewhat embellished online.”

Entirely embellished,I want to correct. But I keep my mouth shut because I’m not a big enough idiot to backtalk Torres right now.

“But the fact is that Sadie Lincoln’s ridiculous question has got people talking. And not in a good way. It’s like the woman has a vendetta.” I remember Dallas’s comment earlier and try not to cringe, but Coach wasn’t born yesterday. “Something tells me it has to do with damn Cooper not being able to keep it in his pants, as per usual.”

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