Page 40 of Ice Cold Rival

I wanted to cheer, but I kept it contained and gave him a restrained smile. “Bet. Have a good night.”

“Night, Tanner.” He turned his attention back to the papers on his desk, and I strutted to my locker.

Coach didn’t usually take my advice, but in his defense, my advice was usually some form of a joke. In this case, I knew I was right. We’d had some transfers this year to replace Gavin and others who’d left, so some of the younger players weren’t getting the same dedicated attention we’d gotten as underclassmen.

When Coach started this program, he was building it from scratch, but now we had a reputation which got the interest of players from other schools. I didn’t want transfers like Kane to fuck with what we’d built.

Rafe had rough edges, but he was clearly talented and he had a good attitude. With a little work, he could be leading this team. As long as Coach noticed.

The whole way home I thought about ways we could incorporate the younger guys more during the season without blowing our chances for a repeat visit to the Frozen Four. As usual, Mase was nowhere to be seen, but Cole was in the kitchen when I got there.

“Hey, did you talk to Kenzie?” he asked.

His question pulled me up short. “No. Why?”

He pulled a sports drink out of the fridge and leaned against the door. “She was waiting. Avery and I offered her a ride, but she said she’d get one with you.”

Fuck. She hadn’t called or texted. I checked my phone to be sure, but nothing from Kenzie. Six calls from Gram though. One crisis at a time.

“I didn’t know,” I told Cole with an embarrassing amount of panic in my voice.

He opened his drink and took a swig before patting my shoulder. “Don’t worry. I told her you had to meet with Coach, and you’d be a while. She still refused a ride, so we waited with her while she called a car.”

Relief made me lean against the couch. “How did you know I stopped to talk to Coach?”

“I didn’t, but good to know I wasn’t lying.”

“I’m surprised your face didn’t suddenly combust. Hey, what are you up to tonight?”

He raised a brow. “I’m spending it with my girlfriend, who is currently upstairs waiting for me.”

I was hoping to use him to avoid calling Gram, but the implication that I should also be spending post-game time with my girlfriend was strong. After dealing with the emotional fallout of having a cheering section, I couldn’t be trusted to spend time alone with her. Who knew what I’d end up admitting?

“Right. Of course.” My first instinct was to send Cole upstairs with a flirty message for Avery—it was how our relationship worked—but suddenly, I wasn’t so eager to flirt with her. Kenzie was sensitive after Kane’s cheating, and I didn’t want to give her any reason not to trust me. Especially when I’d never legitimately hit on Avery. Not after the first time anyway.

She was perfect for Cole, and she’d probably de-ball me for trying.

Cole gave me a confused glance, then headed toward the stairs. “I’m sure Mase is free if you’re looking for non-female company.”

I huffed out a laugh. “You know the rules. If Mase wants social time, he comes up here. We do not invade his basement lair unless the house is on fire or Sunny escaped again.”

Cole shuddered halfway up the steps. “We need to put a bell on Sunny. Or a leash. Mase might actually murder us if we accidentally let his duck out again.”

I nodded solemnly. “Yes, his duck is the largest of my concerns about Mase.”

He sent me an arched look over his shoulder. “If you’re worried, you could go talk to him.”

“So could you.”

Cole pointed to his bedroom door. “Suuper busy right now. Besides, he seems fine again after everyone invaded the house last weekend. He even volunteered to get groceries this week.”

I scowled. “Is that why we only have weird organic bread and four different juices?”

“You are also capable of grocery shopping. Do you need anything else?”

I appreciated his willingness to ask, and if I answered yes, he’d keep Avery waiting longer. Time to grow some balls and call my grandmother.

“Nah, man. Enjoy your night.”

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