Page 12 of The Pucks We Freeze
“Brooks,” Rowdy called out with a cocky grin, dimples flashing like a warning sign. “You survive your little snowed-in honeymoon at the love shack?”
I muttered, “Chill,” brushing past him without breaking my stride.
Talon, one of my best friends and our team captain, stood in the kitchen, shaking protein powder into a bottle. His jaw ticked as he looked over. “Where’d you disappear to? You ghosted the team group chat for like thirty-six hours.”
“Nah,” I said, dropping my bag by the wall. “I was helping Willow at the lodge. Gave her a ride back after the storm.”
That earned a slow turn of Talon’s head and a raised brow.
“Ohhh. So the stepsister rumors are true,” Rowdy chirped.
“Can you not?” I snapped, pulling the notebook from my coat pocket. “This isn’t about Willow.”
Rowdy held up both hands. “Suuure it’s not.”
“I was at the lodge,” I said flatly, dropping my notebook on the table and flipping it open. “And I wasn’t just sitting around.”
Owen, Talon’s cousin and my teammate, lifted a brow from the corner where he sat at the small kitchen table, laptop open and half a protein bar in his hand.
I tapped the page with Gavin’s name, underlined two times. “I’ve been reviewing footage. Something’s off with Gavin.”
Talon leaned forward. “Off how?”
“He’s late on plays he used to lead. Hesitating with the puck. Losing easy faceoffs. I think it’s more than that, though. He keeps looking at the bench. Constantly. Like he’s waiting for something. Or someone.”
Rowdy’s expression sobered. “Think he’s throwing plays?”
I nodded once. “I can’t prove it yet, but it feels like he’s working against us. From the inside.”
Owen crossed his arms, his voice low. “That’s a hell of an accusation.”
“Gavin transferred in this season, right after that mess at Crimson U,” I said, the name bitter in my mouth. “There were rumors, something about disciplinary action, but it got buried fast. Coach Dawson said it was just locker room drama and a bad coaching fit. Gave him a clean slate.”
“Crimson?” Rowdy frowned. “Didn’t they have that betting scandal last year?”
“Exactly.” I slid the notebook closer to Talon. “Half the team got cleared, but a couple of players took the fall. Gavin wasn’t officially named, but he was on that roster. And now he’s here, missing passes he should be able to make blindfolded.”
Talon let out a slow breath. “You think he brought that shit with him?”
“I think we’d be stupid not to consider it.”
Talon stared at the notes in silence, then rubbed the back of his neck. “We’ve got a game tomorrow night. Home ice. If he’s up to something…”
“We don’t make it to the Frozen Four if we blow this stretch,” I finished for him. “And I’m not letting some sellout screw it up.”
Rowdy whistled low. “Damn. This is getting serious.”
Talon nodded, jaw tight. “Alright. I’ll watch him tomorrow. Owen will too. You in?” he asked Rowdy, who saluted with his controller.
“I’m in.”
Owen finally spoke. “If he’s messing with our game, we’ll know. We’ll shut it down.”
I slouched into the couch, tired in a way that had nothing to do with practice.
“You sure you’re good?” Talon asked, giving me a look I didn’t love. Half concern, half suspicion.
“I’m fine.”
