Page 24 of Unlovable Player

“Why?”

“Because she’s in Jersey and I’m here.”

“Is that the only reason?”

He sets his jaw and his cheeks flush. There’s something else there, but even I know not to push. Anyway, I’m the last person he’d tell his problems to.

The door opens and Jordan walks in, his big shoulders taking up all the space. His gaze flitters between us and I wonder if it looks like we’ve been arguing. Captain definitely looks pissed.

I’m uncharacteristically quiet for the rest of the night, trying to imagine Alyssa. Even her name is pretty. I picture Austin and Alyssa, maybe she’s wearing an A&A pendant? Something Austin bought her from Macy’s, seeing as his mom likes to shop there. I bet she gets along with Austin’s mom. I bet they’ll get back together once he’s playing in the NHL, and she’ll be at every game in his jersey. Featured on hockey blogs as a hot WAG. I imagine her to be classy, but down to earth. Like Austin.Fuck, it sucks having a crush.

AUSTIN

I’m bombarded the second I get into the locker room. It’s like the whole team made a plan to show up early and jump down my throat.

Everyone talking at once, voices raised and faces twisted in snarls.

“Woah, calm down, one at a time.”

Hayes steps out of the group, his jaw set. “Something needs to be done about Yale.”

“Why, what’s he done now?”

“He’s not one of us.” Jordan shouts over everyone’s heads.

“He’s on this team, so he’s one of us. I didn’t see anyone complaining when he was buying you all drinks.”

Everyone glares at me, even Gray.

“Listen, I get it, he can be a dick.”

“Canbe?”

“But the roster’s Coach’s decision, I can’t do anything about it.”

“You could talk to Coach,” Hayes says.

I swallow. I don’t want to do that, but I also don’t want to piss off the guys I’ve been on this team for years with.

“Yeah, why doesn’t he just go back to Yale, where he belongs?” Jordan pipes up again.

“Listen, I’ll sort this, just… give me time yeah.”

“Time?” Hayes huffs. “I don’t have time, he took my spot, I’m supposed to be your linemate.”

I put my hand on his arm and make eye-contact. “Youare.”

“So fix it.”

Hayes storms to his cubby and the guys follow, only Gray hanging back to change next to me.

“What the fuck was that?” I whisper.

“I’m sorry man, they were pissed, Hayes got to them, what was I supposed to do?”

The door opens and Yale walks in, oblivious to the attempted coup that just took place.

Everyone ignores him and he acts like he hasn’t noticed, throwing his bag down and changing out of his clothes.

---