Page 31 of Pucking Obsessed

My thoughts swirl. My head is a fucking mess.

Is coach truly going to risk throwing away his last chance at a career to support me?

My only family abandoned me. But coach is prepared to lose his legacy for me.

I swallow, feeling lost.

Coach and Colton glare at each other.

“What happens if we don’t win?” I demand.

I hold my breath.

Here it comes…

Heine cocks his head. “Then you resign your captaincy and your place in the Bay Rebels.”

Shay gasps.

“You can’t do this,” Robyn hisses.

“Again, boring.” Heine’s dead gaze meets mine.

I’m numb.

I know what his gaze is saying as it slides to Shay and then Robyn.

He could raise the stakes and make them worse. He could target Shay.

He could demand that Robyn is fired right now on the spot.

“I’ll take the bet,” I say, quickly.

Heine smiles, smugly. “I’m looking forward to watching you on the rink. The games are going to have a frisson of added excitement now, knowing that you’re playing for your career.”

“On the other hand, if they win,” coach raps the table hard; Lee jumps, “then I want the power back in my hands. I won’t beundermined like this again. I’ll have the authority to fire my staff like normal.”

Heine blinks. “Obviously.”

Now I understand coach’s trick.

I catch Colton’s eye, giving a sharp smile.

He looks startled.

Coach points at Colton. “Then I hope it’s exciting enough for you as well that your ass is also on the line.”

Colton pales in a satisfying way.

“That’s settled then. Next week, we’ll find out whether we’ll have a new captain and coach by the end of it.” Heine stands up, stretching. “What fun. I get to watch my favorite player battling for his life.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Captain’s Hall, Freedom

Shay

Robyn singing to herself happily— off-key — is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world.

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