Page 56 of Puck'n Bully

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Soon, the scoreboard flashes3-3, making us even.

My heart sinks.

This is bad. The momentum of the game has completely shifted. We’re all frustrated, shoving at the Bears but they fight back tooth and nail to keep us away from their center.

We’d still have a chance if Tyler puts up some serious effort to stop Larson from scoring goals. His confidence is so shaken after watching what happened to Logan, he barely does anything to stop the puck from moving into the net. If possible, he’d just stand aside and let Larson capture the goal post from him.

Coach is shouting at Tyler but it just makes him more nervous.

Larson takes another shot and easily scores another goal.

3-4

My hands ball into tight fists. Coach Sullivan looks furious with Tyler and the way the game is turning out. Mitichikov slams his stick against the boards in frustration.

We’re losing. And we all know it.

My gaze scans over the crowd, desperate for something,for someone.

Liam.

I’ve tried to stay away from him since that night in his apartment but I need him at this moment. Unbearable pain lances through my body and heart, making me think of the only person in the world who can soothe me.

I don’t even know if Liam is here but still, I look for him, searching the crowd until my gaze falls on someone standing just behind Coach Sullivan.

A wave of cold washes over me as I lock eyes with my father.

Dressed in an impressive black suit, he stands tall and still. His dark eyes are sharp and merciless, watching me with a familiar, unforgiving stare.

What’s he doing here?

Dad hadn’t bothered to come to my games after I left home to come to Knightswood. He hadn’t shown any interest in me all these years, never even bothering to wish me on my birthday or on Christmas. Not that I was complaining about it.

His oblivion toward me was a welcome relief from his abuse.

He’d shown up for the last match during the last season. Even though the team won, he’d ripped into me, abusing me until my body and mind broke.

Did he somehow anticipate my team will be losing today? Is he here to witness me fail as a hockey player before I can make it to the NHL?

A cold sensation slithers down my spine.

If I end up losing this game, he’ll never let me forget it.

The fans scream as the Bears score another goal.

5-3.

My whole body stiffens. I choke, feeling like this moment is turning into a nightmare. I want to get out of here and away from my father.

His gaze burns into me. And for the first time in a long while, I feel like I can’t breathe.

19

Liam

I was never into sports. Grams used to make me sit with her while she watched soccer games on TV with her friends but I was never interested in them. While she and her friends cheered on, I’d scoot into a corner and read my comic books.

Not wanting to see Hayden was just one of the reasons I didn’t want to go to the hockey game this evening. Even if things were good between us, I doubted I’d enjoy watching a group of men skating with their sticks and chasing a tiny puck between them.