Page 58 of The Grinder

Riley had been the last one into the locker room by only a minute. But it was late enough for Justin to jump on his ass about it.

In response, Riley gave him the finger, which made Justin laugh maniacally.

“And where did you sleep last night, jackass?” Jake smacked Justin on the back of the head as Riley started to strip. “All by yourself in your own bed. I think maybe you are a little jealous.”

Stripping as fast as he could, Riley pulled on his base layers then began strapping on his pads. For the first time in god knew how long, he had no desire to talk shit with his teammates. Especially not about Aly.

“And when was the last time a girl let you in her bed? I think it was never, yes?”

Lad directed the dig at Jake. The two defensemen were tight as brothers and trash-talked each other like mortal enemies. It worked for them.

They were the best defensive line in the league and they came to play every day. And if they occasionally acted like douchebag teenagers… Well, nobody was perfect.

“Says the man who still does not know what a rim shot is.”

“Rim job,” shouted CJ as the rest of the team either groaned or laughed hysterically. “It’s rim job.”

Lad and Jake exchanged a look, said a few words in Russian then Jake focused his famed Russian glare at CJ. “This from the child who still hordes his cherries.”

Now the entire team busted into laughter and CJ turned the same color as the fruit Jake had just mentioned.

Riley shook his head, his brain working on a smart-ass response, but when CJ sat next to him on the bench, his mouth snapped shut.

CJ’s downbent head and bright red neck brought out Riley’s protective instincts. Same as if they’d been on the ice and someone went after the kid, Riley jumped to CJ’s defense.

“Considering you two need each other to get laid, I figure you have a few cherries you haven’t popped yet.”

With an almost imperceptible glance at CJ, Lad took the hint. “I have no cherries. Jake, however, has entire bush.”

Holding his gut, he was laughing so hard, Derek turned to Jake. “Son, if you have a bush instead of a tree, maybe that’s the problem you been having hooking up.”

“Hey, something up?” Riley asked CJ as he pulled his sweater over his head, just as Coach walked in the room.

Before CJ could answer, Coach said, “Listen up,” and launched into his game plan for the week. Twenty minutes later, right before the team was ready to hit the ice, Coach looked at him and inclined his chin.

“Hatch. Young. Stick here. Everyone else, on the ice.”

Not expecting anything other than Coach Scott wanting him and CJ to work together on technique or drills, Riley nearly fell off the bench when Coach started to talk.

“The big club had a couple of injuries last night and you two are headed to the Colonials. They get back from a road trip today and Coach Angstadt wants you two at the practice barn for morning skate tomorrow. Today, you skate with us but they want you down to talk to the assistant coach tonight.”

Coach turned to grab a piece of paper from his desk, detailing where they needed to be and when and the hotel they’d be staying at. He and CJ would be bunking together for the duration, could be an extended stay, but they would probably see ice time.

Beside him, CJ vibrated like a fucking puppy, running at the mouth with questions Coach answered with a grin. Riley just sat there.

Holy shit. Finally. Fucking finally.

And on the heels of that…

I can’t fucking wait to tell Aly.

Yeah, he couldn’t wait to tell his parents. But Aly was different. He wanted to share everything with her. Wanted her to be happy for him. Wanted her to come to the game and be waiting for him afterward.

Philly wasn’t that far away. If he stayed with the Colonials for any length of time, he and Aly would make it work—

“Riley, you have any questions?”

Coach’s question knocked him out of his thoughts and he smiled, shaking his head. “Nah. I think I’m good.”

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