Page 61 of Ice Cold Rival

“No.” His thumb drifted in lazy circles over my stomach.

“I’m glad you were the person I ran into.”

“Me too.”

A quiet mechanical noise started in the bathroom, and I looked over my shoulder at him. “What is that?”

He chuckled. “Boo found the litter box. I was getting worried he’d shit on the floor and Mase would murder me.”

“Why does the litter box sound like a robot vacuum?”

“Because it’s a robot litter box.” He pulled me back down next to him. “I’ll show you tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait,” I deadpanned, but I couldn’t.

I was genuinely excited to wake up tomorrow next to Reece, knowing he wasn’t faking anything. Without pressure. Without a hidden set of rules. Without worrying about the future. I could get used to this casual lifestyle. As long as it was with Reece.

21

Weeks went by with relative peace. Kenzie spent most of her time at my place with Sunny and Boo, and I didn’t even freak out when she started keeping some of her stuff in my room. It was just easier.

I kept my head down, worked with Rafe, improved on my line, and generally ignored Kane’s increasingly angry rants. He was making mistakes in the rink and blaming his line, ordering rookies around in practice, and partying like I used to.

From the outside, I could see why everyone gave me a pass when I said I wanted to be captain. If I was acting anything like Kane, I’d have laughed in my face too. Of course, I didn’t blame other people for my mistakes, and I definitely didn’t pull rank with the younger guys. Everyone at TU had earned their spot. As much as it pained me to admit it, Kane too.

He’d played better at Easton though.

By mid-November, Coach still hadn’t picked a regular captain. He’d been choosing a new player for each game, and honestly, it was kind of brilliant. Not everyone wanted the leadership role, but they got experience talking to the refs and ended up showing more respect to the next captain.

I hadn’t been chosen for the roulette, but neither had Kane so I forced myself not to dwell on the frustration. Kenzie told me to feel the feelings then use them to make myself better. I used them to power extra drills and bonus practice time with Rafe and a few of the other guys. If she hadn’t been sleeping at my place most nights, I’d barely see her other than driving her to and from campus.

As a result, dinner with Gram snuck up on me… the same day Coach wanted to see me in his office.

I reminded Kenzie before she started book club in the living room, then headed to campus. This time Sellers wouldn’t be there for moral support, and I couldn’t decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

The arena was weirdly quiet on a Sunday morning, but I could tell Coach was in his office by the loud squeaking of his chair. I knocked on the doorframe, hit with déjà vu from the last time I’d asked to speak with him.

Coach glanced up at me, then gestured at his guest chairs. “Come in. Sit down. I’ll make this quick.”

Sweat dampened the back of my shirt as I sat.

He leaned back and crossed his hands over his stomach. “I’ve been watching, even before you came to me and said you wanted to be captain. I wasn’t convinced, but you’ve stepped up and become the leader this team needs. Especially with Rafe and Sellers. Congratulations, Reece. You’re the captain for the remainder of the season.”

“What about the team vote?” I stammered.

“Happened this morning. Nearly unanimous for you.”

I felt like I’d been hit with a truck. The captain role hadn’t even entered my mind. I was convinced he wanted to talk about Rafe, though I was secretly hoping he was giving notice he’d kicked Kane’s ass off the team. Not a thing he’d need to talk to me about alone.

Well,nowit was, as captain.

Captain.

I couldn’t stop the grin. “I’m going to make that asshole Kane salute me before every practice.”

Coach sighed. “Don’t make me regret this.”

“Right. Sorry.” I cleared my throat as I stood up. “Thank you. Truly. For giving me the chance. I’m going to work my ass off to be the captain this team deserves.”

---