Page 48 of Brace and Chase

Together we go over to the bench, then climb up to the stands, two rows up and take a seat, ready to watch. For what, I don’t know, but it’s not like we have anything better to do today.

Well, we could try that kissing thing again.

No, we can’t.

In silence, we watch as all our teammates take to the ice, and two new kids join them. My stomach burns with resentment. What do those boys know about defending our guys?

The one who looks like the sun has never touched his skin wears Babinski on the back of his sweater, and the bronzed one Gianni.

They look like they just stopped using diapers for fuck’s sake. And they’re supposed to replace Heart and me?

Sure, good luck with that.

“They look green,” Heart mutters.

“On that, we can agree,” I answer. He looks at me funny so I scowl at him. “What?” I hiss.

“Your Russian accent is back.” His eyes are steady on mine, and though I want to look away, I force myself to stay still.

“Yeah, so?” I raise a brow at him and he actually laughs. He turns back to the ice, and as if the whole thing didn’t happen, he talks about our dire position.

“You think they’re gonna at least let us train them up a bit before tonight?”

“They’re not playing tonight,” I say with fake certainty.

“I mean sure, there are guys in reserve, but?—”

“Bates will stay in second,” I interrupt him. “If our punishment isn’t lifted before tonight, then Jacobs and Wills are gonna cover for us on first and second. My guess is Laney will put Pool and Potter in their spots in third.”

Charlie says nothing for a long time but then he sighs.

“So they just brought them up from the farm team to fuck with us?” I can barely hear the question with how low he speaks, but I nod all the same.

“I think it’s Gab’s doing for sure. She’s playing the age card on us. Showing us that no matter how great we are on the ice, we’ll never again be able to do shit like that.”

Just then one of the new guys takes off, rounds up behind the net, and on his way back to the group, he jumps and flips in the air.

Charlie shakes his head. “That’s so fucking stupid.” I agree, but I keep that to myself. “You only take risks that could land you in the hospital during a game.”

“Maybe they will try to make us put them in shape. Not like the punishment can get much worse.”

I feel him stiffen next to me, but I don’t regret a word.

It’s the truth, and it’s how I feel.

EIGHTEEN

CHARLIE

After practice,Laney announces the new lines and I have to roll my eyes when Nikolay turns to me with a smug look. He got every prediction right, the bastard.

I can’t fucking believe he thinks that being forced to train immature little shits is “not worse” than having to spend time with me.

I’m one provocation away from tying that fucker to a chair and demanding he tell me why he hates me so damn much. Once and for all.

I vow to do that as soon as we’re out of here, but when Laney dismisses everyone, telling them to get some rest, Nikolay turns to me and brings up a good point.

“How about we skate for thirty minutes then hit the bikes?”

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