Page 30 of Pucking Obsessed

It still means that we’re screwed.

Shay casts me a wary glance like he expects me to kick his ass for what he said.

Instead, I smile at him.

I wish that I could mouthgood boy.

I’m definitely rewarding both Robyn and him later.

I’m glad that Eden isn’t here. He’d probably be threatening to burn the board and Heineliterallyin retaliation.

Right now, I may let him.

Heine looks stunned.

“See what I mean?” Colton growls. “The team are unprofessional and defiant. They need tighter reins.”

“Are you intending to be the one holding them?” Coach’s gruff voice is threaded with hurt.

Colton doesn’t reply.

Coach employed Colton, when he’d never had a job in the NHL before. He trained him up. And he’s defended him, despite him being controversial on the team.

But now, the sneaky asshole is after his job.

Heine sprawls back in his seat. “How about this? I give you one more chance.”

“Uh-huh?” Anxiety curdles my guts. “What’s it going to cost me?”

“Nothing.”

Unlikely.

Heine looks like a debauched angel. He deliberately poses, as if he’s at a model shoot for maximum effect.

Doesn’t he realize that looking at him makes me want to puke?

Heine tucks a strand of hair behind his ear. “Since you’ve been such a bad boy, acting likethe devil…” I wince ondevil, and Heine’s lips curl into a satisfied smile. “…you’ve put us into a tight spot. The rest of the board have given me the vote on what to do about this. I offered you the chance to talk to me privately and work something out. But you’ve refused to save yourself. I’ll offer you one more chance, however, and keep this interesting by offering a bet.”

“What bet?”

“You’re playing three games next week. The VIPs will attend. You must play the games…”

“Withoutnoise,” Brownyn adds.

“Exactly, without any negative press.” Heine looks delighted like he’s describing a new nightmarish reality show that he’s devising. “And win at least two out of three.”

“This isn’t right,” coach barks.

Heine waves his hand dismissively like morals are something that can simply be batted away. “You’re boring me.”

“I’d bet my reputation that this team is better with D’Angelo in it than without,” coach insists.

Heine’s eyes light with interest. “What about your job?”

“Don’t…” I take a step toward coach, but he holds up his hand.

“I don’t take orders from players. Back off.” Coach exchanges a glance with Robyn; she’s smiling with a bitter-sweetexpression that I don’t understand. “I’d stake my career on this team. It’s what loyalty means. Obviously, if you want to select a man who has just stabbed me in the back like Colton, then you take your fucking chances. If you want to put my captain to the test, however, then that includes me as well.”

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