Page 15 of Pucked On Camera

Amelia:I think the real question you are asking is… Will I kick your ass in a 1-on-1 shootout?

Me:You’re a funny little thing, Princess. LOL!

I bite back a laugh.

Amelia:How about out of those skates? Hope you can keep up with me off the rink.

Me:Challenge accepted.

Amelia:Better bring your A-game, Watson (winking emoji)

That little round yellow face sends my thoughts into the gutter. It’s a game of word hockey we’re playing, and I’m all in for the score.

Me:Always do.

I'm still chuckling when Zach slides up next to me in the locker room, a curious look on his face.

"Are you for real, dating the towel girl?" he asks, one eyebrow cocked in disbelief.

"Yep," I say without hesitation, locking my phone and slipping it into my locker. I meet his gaze, daring him to make more of it.

"Man, you're full of surprises." He shakes his head, but there's a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Got to keep things interesting," I reply, slapping him on the back as I head out and to the trainers to prep for game time, leaving no room for judgment or doubt. Amelia is more than they see, and I'm not about to let their narrow views cloud this thing between us.

"Get ready for the game, Mickelson," I call over my shoulder.

The entire time I’m getting my ankles wrapped, I’m trying to focus on the game and not that look on Zach’s face. I was in a good mental state going into tonight’s game until he sat down and looked at me like that when I confirmed Amelia and me are indeed a thing.

After I’m done, I make my way back into the locker room, passing by the guys, who are all huddled in a corner, murmuring like they're discussing game strategies. But I know better.

"Cap," Zach says with a head nod, but his voice holds a note of strain that wasn't there yesterday.

"Zee." I nod, opening my locker with more force than necessary. "Look, you guys need to get over it."

"Get over what?" He feigns innocence, but his eyes can’t meet mine.

"Amelia. The whispers, the looks. It's high school crap, and we're not in high school."

"Can’t help it, man," Zach grumbles, rubbing the back of his neck. "You’re dating a nobody. What’s up with that?"

"Nobody?" I slam my locker shut, feeling the metal echo through the room. The whispering from the other side of the room cutsout, and I know I've got their full attention. "She's part of this team, just like any one of us."

"Sure, but—" Zach tries again, but I cut him off.

"Listen, if anyone here is focused on who I'm seeing rather than on the ice, then maybe they should reconsider their priorities." I glare at each of them one at a time, finally landing my gaze back on Zach. "We're here to play hockey, not gossip."

"I hear ya," Zach relents, throwing his hands up in surrender. "But don't expect everyone to be thrilled about it."

"They don't have to be thrilled," I shoot back, grabbing my gear. "They just have to respect it."

The murmurs start up again as I walk away, but I leave them behind, focusing on the ice ahead. Amelia's secret, our flirty texts—it's all background noise compared to the game. And right now, the only thing I plan to score is goals.

Chapter 9

Amelia

The chill in the open space is cold on my cheeks, but it's a good kind of cold—the kind that reminds me I'm about to do something I love. Riley grins at me as he hands over a pair of skates, and the entire ice rink in front of us is completely empty.

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