Page 3 of Ice Mechanic

I’d have guessed by their confident stance. Charging in to retake possession of the puck takes a certain level of daring. You can’t be afraid of making mistakes or second guess yourself on the ice. From their haircuts to their style choices, it’s clear Theilan and Renfrow are daring both inside and outside of the stadium.

“Ren Watson, our goalie,” Max continues, nodding to two bulky men wearing gym clothes. “And that’s Gunner Kinsey.”

“Center,” I say before Max can explain.

“Yeah.” Max blinks in surprise.

I’d have known Gunner was the center even if I hadn’t studied every game the Lucky Strikers played last season. Out of all my new teammates, he’s the one staring at me like he wants me to fall into an open manhole walking down Main Street.

“Hey.” My wave encompasses them all. “I’m Chance McLanely, your new captain.”

Theilan, the guy dripping in gold, snorts.

Renfrow, Mr. Hello Kitty, rolls his eyes.

Watson, the goalie, folds his arms over his chest, showing enough muscle to prove he doesn’t skimp on the protein shakes.

Gunner sneers. “A reject from the league gets team captain just by showing up?”

“Well…” Max begins.

“If the former team captain had done a better job, it wouldn’t have been so easy to take the position.”

Max coughs. “Ch-Chance, why don’t you?—”

“You want to take this outside, McLanley?” Gunner stalks toward me, his face reddening.

“No, there will be no fighting.” Max waves his tree-trunk arms.

I flick my fingers at the window overlooking the arena. “We can talk on the ice.”

“One on one, I’m going to chew you up and spit you out,” Gunner hisses.

“No, no, no.” I point to the others. “You need at least three of you guys if you want to do that.”

Max smacks his forehead.

The other men get very tense.

Gunner scoffs. “You sure that big mouth of yours can survive outside the penalty box, McLanley?”

I stiffen.

Watson snorts out a laugh.

Renfrow and Theilan smirk.

Fingers fisting, I lunge forward. Max tries to wedge himself in front of me, but I sidestep him so I’m facing off with Gunner.

“You wanna know why I’m captain, Kinsey? Your center is putting up more of a fight here than on the ice.” I point to Theilan. “Your right winger is your only defense.” To Renfrow. “Your left winger is right-handed and his back hand is insanely weak. So like I said, it’ll take all three of you?—”

“Alright, that’s enough on the introductions for now. I need to speak with Chance privately.”

No one moves because they’re all too busy glaring a hole into my skull. Thankfully, eyeballs can’t turn into jackhammers or my skull would be shattered on the floor.

“Ehem, gentlemen?” Max’s voice turns firm. “You’re dismissed.”

Gunner stares me down. “See you on the ice.”

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