Page 140 of Pucking Obsessed

I laugh. “You have to respect that.”

Shay bounces up and down, thrumming with excitement like he’s desperate to join Zach. “One hundred percent, love. How about we…?”

“One hundred percentnot.” D’Angelo grabs Shay by the arm. “You wouldn’t be thinking about dancing on a sprained ankle, would you?”

Shay bites his lip. “Can I take the fifth?”

“Sadly, you’re English,” I point out.

“Because you wouldn’t be the same man who played hockey yesterday on a sprained ankle and both crashed and collapsed all in one game.”

Shay gives a shaky laugh. “Of course not, my king. I’m only a pet.”

“Convenient.” D’Angelo lets go of Shay with a shove. “Interesting how you’re limping then.”

“That’s because you overwork me,” Shay replies, dramatically. “Cruel.”

“I am,” D’Angelo replies, frostily. “Don’t forget it.”

Shay peers around the room with wide eyes. “I’ve never been to a Halloween party before. Being surrounded by all these horror icons is like being in heaven.”

“You’re one sick puppy.”

“It’s what you love best about me.” Shay exchanges a mischievous glance with me, before adding. “Don’t turn around. Pinhead is behind you.”

He isn’t.

Shay truly wants spanking to be part of this role play.

“What?” D’Angelo drops his vampiric act, twirling around like there’s a real demon at his shoulder.

He looks ready to tear out Pinhead’s throat with his fangs.

Shay is startled, having only meant it as a prank.

It’s a prank that backfires, when D’Angelo comes face to face with Dad.

Dad is dressed as Poseidon.

“C-c-coach,” D’Angelo stutters.

“Why do you look ready to faint?” Dad scrutinizes D’Angelo. “Are the giant bats too scary for you? Do you need to toughen up?”

D’Angelo stiffens. “No, coach.”

Dad appears even more god-like than normal. He already has the white hair and beard to play the King of the Sea. He’s added a gleaming gold crown and trident, along with a costume of golden scales and flowing, blue cape.

I move to D’Angelo’s shoulder. “The guys are under enough pressure this week. You wanted the whole team here, and they’re here. So am I. The asshole owner of the club is stalking D’Angelo, however, and Shay is playing, despite medical advice not to. They’re winning games in the face of that and attending public events. That’s fucking tough.”

Dad harrumphs. “It’s not tough to injure yourself before important games or get involved in scandals. I’m glad that you’redealing well with it, Robyn. Everything rests on this final game. Look around this room. Think about the staff at the rink. They’re all fucked if you lose.”

No pressure then.

Shay’s expression steels. “We won’t, coach.”

Dad hesitates like he’s not certain whether to ask, before he finally says, “Where’s your brother?”

I clench my hands. “You didn’t want him here.”

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