Page 64 of Second Shot

Heshrugs.

“Fine. I’ll be back later to check on her.”And you,I want tosay.

My thoughts are a chaotic mess as I leave Blake’sapartment.

“Shit,” I mutter, when I glance at my phone. I won’t be able to talk to Brynne if I want to make it to the practice on time. I’d think about missing it, too, but after last night’s call with Coach, I need to go. I’m not looking forward to the conversation. But it has tohappen.

I try calling Brynne’s cell a few times on my way down to the parking garage, and again as I’m driving to the arena. But it goes straight to voicemail. On my last attempt, as I’m getting out of my car, I leave amessage.

“Not sure why you’re not answering your damn phone-” I swallow and try to get rid of the frustration in my voice. “I’m sorry about this morning. I’ll tell you everything when I get home tonight.I…”

“Hey, loser,” Sebastian smacks me on the back, making me almost drop myphone.

I glare at him, and finish my message. “We’ll talklater.”

“You look like shit. Hope you’re not catching whatever Blake’sgot.”

“Blake?”

“I just talked to him. He said he’s got the flu orsomething.”

“Right,” I mutter, hating the lies that have piled up between us. He’s going to freak out when I finally tell him aboutBrynne.

I’m about to say something, when I see Coach pull up in his dark green Jaguar. He slams the door when he gets out of his car, and points a finger at me. Fire blazes in his darkeyes.

“My office, Madden. After practice.” I’ve heard that tone before, but never towardsme.

When he walks away, Sebastian raises his eyebrows and whistles. “Shit. He’spissed.”

“What’d you do, Madden?” Tyler Slade says, coming up behind us and slapping me a little too hard on the back. “The way Coach was glaring at you, I’d think you were screwing hisdaughter.”

Sebastian punches him hard in the arm. “Don’t be a jackass. Coach would have you traded just talking about Brynne likethat.”

Tyler gives me a knowing look, his lips twisting up in a viscous grin. And I know heknows.

“Yeah. I’d hate to see what he’d do to the man who actually had the balls to fuckher.”

Sebastian glances between the two of us,frowning.

“See you two asshats on the rink,” Tyler says, picking up his pace, and leaving Sebastian looking like he doesn’t know who to hit next, Tyler orme.

“You want to tell mesomething?”

I wince. “It’s…”

“Jesus, Kane. Please tell me you’re not that much of anidiot.”

“Apparently, I am,” Imutter.

Sebastian shakes his head, giving me a look of disgust. “Yourfuneral.”

Maybe. But if Brynne is mine in the end, then whatever Coach has in store for me will be worthit.

Chapter 22

Kane

Coach sitsat his desk with my phone in his hands, flipping through the photos I’d taken ofNoah.

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