Page 12 of Second Goal

“Nothing,” I mutter, dragging a hand through my hair.

He grunts. “You’ve been off all week. Heard coach talking about benching you the next game and starting Tovey.”

I shrug. “The kid needs more experience.”

Kane hisses under his breath. “Are you trying to get traded? Because you know with the new GM, all of our asses are on the chopping block if we’re not on top of our game.”

I wince, draining the contents of my glass, the truth of his words cutting deep. “Maybe a change would be a good thing.”

Kane studies me for a moment, his frown deepening. “I know I’ve been busy with Brynne and Noah lately, but if something is wrong, you can talk to me.”

“Nothing’s wrong,” I lie, rubbing my palm over the scruff on my jaw and staring into my empty glass.

“Bullshit. I haven’t seen you like this since... Emily.”

I glance over at him. “This has nothing to do with her.”

Kane sighs. “You sure? I saw on the news that she just had another baby. It makes sense that you’d be upset—”

“I don’t give two shits what Emily does.” It’s the truth. Five years ago, the woman had gutted me. I’d had our whole future planned out. Marriage. Kids. But then she’d screwed our left-winger and two months later they were married.

Coach traded the bastard the next year, but I had to watch them together for half a season. Even got a fucking invite to their wedding. I didn’t go. But the temptation had been there. To get shit-faced and revenge screw one of her bridesmaids, or better yet, her sister.

Kane was the one who’d talked me out of it.

I’d gone through a string of women afterward. Got a pretty good reputation with the puck bunnies for meaningless one-night stands. But that novelty wore off quickly. Meaningless sex was just that - meaningless.

So I started to findmeaningin other things, like charities and fundraisers... and my dogs.

I can’t even remember the last time I got laid.

Maybe that’s my problem.

Why I can’t get that kiss out of my head.

Even as I think it, I know the truth. Kiley consumed my thoughts way before I kissed her. The only difference now is I know how good she tastes.

“So this isn’t about a woman?” Kane asks, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

I sometimes forget how well he knows me.

When I don’t answer, he chuckles.

“Okay, well at least that’s something I can understand. Didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

“I’m not.”

“Ah,” he says knowingly. “She’s playing hardball?”

“It’s Kiley,” I say, the words spilling from my lips before I can clamp my mouth over them.

Kane’s smile fades, brows drawing down. “What do you mean, it’s...Kiley?” His eyes narrow, suspicion there. “What did she do?”

It shouldn’t surprise me that his first thought is that she’s caused some kind of trouble. He’s always quick to think the worst of her.

“She didn’t do anything. I did.”

The line between his brows deepens. And I know I’m about to piss my best friend off with what I’m about to confess. But I hate secrets. I’ve never been good at keeping them. Especially not from Kane.

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