Page 49 of Puck and Prejudice

The awesome short-handed goal in the final minutes of the third period came too late. I’m fucking pissed. Our team is out of sync, and even though Chad didn’t play tonight, I think everyone can sense things aren’t right between him and me, and it’s affecting our performance on the ice. All these losses are on me.

We’re about to exit the bench when a commotion in the stands catches my attention. My eyes widen in horror when I see Izzie and Jane in the middle of an altercation with Vikings fans. Shit! When I didn’t see them at the start of the game, I thought they’d changed their minds about coming.

“Jane!” Chad shouts, then tries to climb up to the stands in his goalie gear.

“What the hell are you doing?” Wickham pipes up. “You can’t go up there.”

I shove him out of the way and tell Chad, “I’ll give you a boost.”

Coach will kill me for this, but I can’t stand back and watch the girls get hurt. Chad goes over the railing, then I pull myself over as well. Some people move out of our way. They’re the smart ones. The idiots who don’t move get pushed aside by Chad and me.

I sense I’m being followed, so I look over my shoulder. Logan and Alex are right on my tail. I’m not surprised the trouble twins followed me.

Chad gets to Jane, but I don’t see Izzie. Shit. Where did she go? I glance around until I find her by the steps talking to a security guard.

While Logan and Alex put the fear of God into the drunk assholes who are still causing trouble, I make a beeline toward her.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. My jersey, on the other hand, isn’t.” She points at the big stain on the front.

“What happened?”

“Jane got very defensive of the team.” She smirks.

My brows shoot up. “Are you saying she started the brawl?”

“You need to come with me.” The security guard grabs her arm.

“Hey! Hands off, dude!”

“Release her,” I say in a hard tone.

He lets go. “I’m just trying to help. It’s not safe for her here right now.”

“She’s with me. I’ll keep her safe.”

Izzie’s jaw drops, but she doesn’t comment.

“Fine then.” The guard walks away.

“Thanks for the assist. I don’t know why he got so handsy.”

“Maybe he was pissed he had to protect a Lions fan.”

A hint of fear shines in her eyes. “I should probably take this jersey off.”

“Don’t. It looks good on you.”

But it’d be better if it weremyjersey.The thought pops into my head out of nowhere.

She blushes, then looks over my shoulder. “Well… at least your plan worked.”

I turn and see Chad and Jane kissing. “Yeah, thank God for that.”

“I’m sorry you lost the game.”

I force a smile. “It’s okay. It will be sweeter to win the Cup at home.”

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