Page 5 of One Touch

“Me? You ran into me! Mothertrucker, that hurt.”

Mothertrucker? Who the hell was this guy? “If you can’t cuss, you can’t be a hockey player.” Standing, I flexed all of my muscles and rotated my wrists and arms to ensure nothing was out of sorts.

“Didn’t realize that was a requirement. Considering I just signed my contract, I can guarantee it stated nowhere that I had to cuss.”

My head snapped up, and my gaze slammed into hazel orbs that burned into me. Chocolate brown curls spilled over his forehead, and despite it being four years since I’d last seen him, there was no mistake about who this was—Miller Fahn.

My heart raced for an entirely different reason this time. For a moment, I just stared, lost in his hazel eyes, until his words hit me dead center.

“Contract?” I croaked.

He nodded, his smile wobbly. “Yeah.” He licked his lips, and my gaze zeroed in on them before remembering where I was. “Traded. I got here today.”

No. No. No.This could not be happening. This was the worst possible news.

“Traded. So you’ll be playing…” I couldn’t finish the sentence mostly because it was redundant. Obviously, he would be playing for the Aces. There wasn’t another team in this city. But I couldn’t wrap my brain around it. Miller Fahn was now my teammate.

My. Teammate. Fuck.

“You’re a left-winger,” I mumbled, and he nodded.

“Yep.”

Silence fell around us, and for once, it was not comforting. Every part of my being vibrated, and I didn’t like it. This guy was too sunshiney and hopeful for my liking. He made me feel things I didn’t want to feel.

“Um, your brother—” he started, but I cut him off. I could not be friends with him. It was too dangerous for too many reasons that I didn’t want to consider.

“Listen,Bambi. We are not friends. I don’t care that you were Landon’s roommate; you’re nothing to me. The quicker you learn that, the better off we’ll be. This ismyteam, and I plan to win. Get in line, do your job, and we won’t have any problems. Now, stay out of my way, or you won’t like what happens next time.”

It was an empty threat, but I hoped he didn’t know that. I shoved his shoulder as I headed in the direction I’d initially been going before I panicked and fled from Samson.

My hands shook, and I hated how screwed up my first day back had become. This was hockey. This was my safe place. I wasn’t supposed to be bombarded with feelings or things I couldn’t control.

Shoving my earbuds into my ears, I marched to the locker room and took a seat in front of my cubby. I kept my back to everyone and focused on calming my breaths and listening to the voice to calm my thoughts.

I am powerful. I am a force. I am in control of me.

My mind is a safe place. Calmness is my strength.

I repeated the mantra over and over until I felt my body relax, my heart rate slow, and my breaths even out. With measured breaths, I dressed for practice and ignored everyone around me as I met with Jack and Coach.

I nodded at the appropriate times but offered nothing other than my acquiescence. All of my plans had flown out the window whenhearrived. I’d have to try again tomorrow after I shored up my mental walls and prepared. As long as I stayed away from him, I’d be fine. I could get through this and come back stronger tomorrow.

“Oh, I’d like you to take the new winger and show him the ropes.”

My throat went dry. “Are you sure that’s the best idea?”

Coach Mack stopped and glanced at me. I’d never questioned him before. Even Jack had halted and watched me with a curious look. But I couldn’t focus on him right now. I just had to convince Coach it was a horrible idea.

“It’s just that I think Han or Cavanagh would be a better fit.”

“They’re great players, but you’re the alternate captain, Silver. Unless we made a mistake putting you in the position?” he asked.

Swallowing, I shook my head. “No, sir. I’ll take care of it.”

“Good. I expect great things from him. Make it happen.”

With that, the two of them exited the room, and I was left with a sinking feeling that everything I’d worked for was about to crumble. The house of cards I’d built was carefully crafted, and this could be the breeze that crashed it to the ground.

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