Page 128 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
And I only have myself to blame.
What I did Friday night…
How I hurt her.
It’s driving me fucking crazy.
I’m alone with nothing but my thoughts for a blissful four minutes until a familiar voice asks, “The fuck was that about in the dressing room?”
I look up as Linc slides a beer in my direction.
“He was being disrespectful,” I grunt.
Seeing Casey wearing Linc’s jersey was one thing. I could deal with that; she was taunting me, and I got it. But seeing her wearing the rookie’s? It fucking got to me.
Hell, she could have been wearing anyone’s but mine tonight and it would have fucking got to me.
Linc studies me, and I’m fucking terrified of what he can see.
I’m fucking this all up. Coach is gonna find out, and I’m gonna find myself traded.
My heart races and my hands tremble. Reaching for my beer, I wrap my fingers around it and hold tight, hoping to quash it.
It doesn’t fucking work.
“You’ve been off all night,” he notes. “Did you want to talk about it?”
A laugh threatens to bubble up, although there is no joy in it. Just pain and bitter disappointment in myself.
“Just feeling the pressure of the season, I guess,” I mutter, finally feeling brave enough to lift my beer from the table. Thankfully, my hand is a little steadier and I don’t slosh it all over myself.
Instead, I swallow a couple of large mouthfuls in the hope the cool liquid will settle me.
From the way Linc sits back and studies me, I’d say that he doesn’t believe a word of it.
His lips part to say something that I’m sure to hate, but the words never break free. I never thought I'd be thankful to see Rett, especially after he’s been riding my ass all night, but he storms across the room at the perfect time, stealing Linc’s attention.
It’s not unusual to see members of the opposing team after a game in here. Hockey families are tight, and I’m not surprised that he’s here on the search for Linc and his sister.
“Dude,” he hollers, earning everyone’s attention. “Great game.”
His demeanor is the complete opposite of mine.
“Not exactly true,” Linc says as Rett joins us.
“The best team won, I think you’ll agree. Your offense was off tonight.” Rett slides his eyes to me, but I don’t back down.
Sure, I might not have had my best game tonight, but I refuse to sit here and get shit for it.
“Whatever,” Linc scoffs. “It’ll be different next time we meet. When it really matters.”
“Sure, bro. You keep telling yourself that.” Rett claps him on the shoulder before looking around your room. “You seen my sister?”
“Nah, not since she crawled out of my bed this morning,” Linc deadpans.
Internally, I do a little celebration as anger and pure disbelief flicker across Rett’s face. He quickly covers it before slugging Linc in the arm.
They do this little skit every time they’re together. Linc riles him up about sleeping with Parker, and Rett attempts to pretend he doesn’t care.
