Page 38 of Face Off
“Yeah, that kiss he gave you before the game was about as discreet as my puck bunny hookups,” Deane says, pulling his latest flavor of the week into his side.
“And her name is?” Ivan says, pointing his glass in her direction.
“Dia.”
“That’s nice, sweetheart, but seriously, man… that kiss sent a message to everyone,” Campbell says, taking a long pull of his beer. “Coach was pissed.”
I look at Brooks as his jaw ticks, tensing. “Don’t know why Coach would give two shits about my personal life.”
Cassidy drapes her arm over Halloway’s shoulder as she makes eye contact with Hayley. “Hayley, why would Doug care about you and Miller’s relationship?”
“He doesn’t,” I respond.
“I think he has a thing for you,” Denizen says, joining our group.
As if right one cue, Coach Stevens walks up to our group stationed at the bar. Hands in his trousers as if he owns the place. His eyes connects with mine the entire time as a smirk plays on his lips.
“Hayley. Miller.” He nods toward the others. “Miller, I was wondering if I could have a word with you?”
“In regard to? I’m off the clock, Coach.”
Doug’s demeanor changes as he runs his gaze down my body. “Well then, I’ll do it right here. Stay away from Hayley, Miller.”
Seriously? This again.
“All due respect, Doug, but you can’t decide who I or Brooks see,” I interject, interrupting their stare off. “Doug, a private word please.”
“With pleasure,” he snarls before smiling triumphantly and following near the emergency exit.
I glance over my shoulder, noting that Brooks isn’t far from me, yet I still position myself so I can make a quick escapeif need be. Being near Doug has always made my skin crawl, but something about his actions today rattles me to the core.
“What the hell is your problem.”
“My problem?” He chuckles in amusement. “My only problem is Miller.”
“And what’s your problem with Miller?”
“Besides the fact that he’s fucking the girl who should be mine? Everything,” he says, moving in closer to me. Backing me into a wall, whispering in my ear. “When are you going to wake up and stop fucking the players and get with a real man? The man who’s deserved you all along.”
I push him away before attempting to walk away when his hand tightens around my wrist, pulling me back toward him. “First you fuck that piece of shit Cameron and get knocked up with his spawn. I could overlook that little oversight being that Camden is a pretty knockout kid, but now you’re fucking Miller, the worst of them all,” he says, his grip tightening as he looks me in the eyes. “How about you stop fucking around and let me take you for a ride for once?”
“In your dreams,” I spit as I try to pull my wrist from his grasp. “Ouch… you’re hurting me. Doug, stop.”
“I’ll stop when you quit being a cock tease, acting like a little whore who’s willing to open her legs for any NHL player.”
Before I have a chance to push him away again, Doug is pulled back and punched in the face. He stumbles back, cupping his jaw as he tries to regain his footing. Miller cocks his arm back again, ready to lay another blow, just as Halloway and Campbell pull him back.
“Hit me again, Miller. I’ll see to it you never play for the Skipjacks or the NHL again,” Doug spits as he rubs his sore jaw.
Miller laughs, fighting to get out of Halloway and Campbell’s grip. “You don’t have that much pull, Doug. We all know it. Hitting you again will be well worth it.”
“Hey!” I shout as they start at it again. “Hey… Hey!” I yell as loud as I can before stepping into the middle of them. “Enough. Both of you. Coach Stevens, if anyone here should be losing their job, it’s you. And don’t think I won’t hesitate to tell Mr. Richards if you continue these threats on Miller’s job. Not to mention continuing to talk to me in this inappropriate manner.”
“Whatever,” Doug says, backing away from us but continuing his threats. “But don’t think he won’t hesitate to fire you or your little boy toy here if and when he finds out.” The devilish smirk plastered on his face before he walks away sends shivers down my spine.
Hayley
Things have been calm.
