Page 97 of Cold as Ice

Mal tried to retreat. “He’s great on the ice. You were right about that.”

Zach shot him a knowing glance. “That all it is?”

“What else could it be?”

Zach shrugged and then changed the subject. “You know, there was some scouts in the crowd tonight.”

That wasn’t entirely unexpected. There were rumors Elliott was going to be taken in the first round of the draft, if he kept playing like this. Malcolm couldn’t deny he deserved it, but if he was being really honest, he triednotto think about how many teams were going to want Elliott.

How they were on very different trajectories.

“Yeah, not surprising,” Mal said.

“No,” Zach said, “but it’s good for you guys—and for this team.”

“Agreed,” Mal said, nodding.

“Did you know Toronto’s been at every single game we’ve played this year?”

Mal’s jaw dropped. “No. No. They didn’t tell me.” The scouts rarely discussed anything with him though. He was always talking to the developmental guys, who he assumed were watching tape of the games. Not getting direct reports from scouts who were here, in freaking person.

“And they’re not here for you. I gotta tell you, there’s a lot of talk about Elliott.”

Mal felt his jaw dropagain. Or maybe it just dropped even farther?

“They’retalking about Elliott?Torontois talking about Elliott?”

Zach nodded. “Yep. And this is still developing, so don’t mention it to him.” He grinned. “Not that I think you would. But I did want to mention . . .this could be a great opportunity for both of you.”

It was. Of course, Zach had no idea why that was. He didn’t know that they had moved from actively disliking each other to sleeping together to liking each other and maybe even more.

And if Elliott actually ended up in Toronto . . .

Mal tried to tamp down his excitement.

“Yeah, it could be,” he agreed. Trying to stay casual about it.

“I mean, you guys are freaking dynamite on the ice. Imagine not having to learn how to play with all new guys? It could be something.”

“Something, yeah,” Mal said.

“But . . .” Zach patted him on the shoulder. “You gotta tone down the bickering, yeah? Show you’re good teammates.”

“Teammates,” Mal echoed.

Zach had no idea they were way more than teammates, but the reminder hit hard. Would Toronto want to draft Elliott and pair him with Mal again if they knew the truth?

He hadn’t been particularly worried about people finding out about them, once he and Elliott figured out what it was, exactly, that they were doing, but suddenly he understood the need for caution.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Coach B disappear down the hallway towards his office and he’d known Zach saw it too, because his gaze followed him.

“Hey—I gotta go, but great talk,” Zach said, shooting him a smile.

As he walked away, Mal was acutely aware that while he hadn’t exactly lied to his friend and the assistant coach of the team, he hadn’t been honest, either.

As the guy walked away, Mal considered the conundrum.

Coach Blackburn was unpredictable in a way that Mal wasn’t sure he really liked, but appreciated nonetheless. Especially if his unorthodox style meant that he wouldn’t get pissed when hefound out two of his best scoring players, the foundation of his starting line, were fucking.

---