Page 68 of Don't Leave
For the first time in my life, I don’t know what to do.
CHAPTER 20
CASSIDY
The ice is the only place where I can lose myself. I pass the puck to one of my wingers and fall back to guard our goal. The last thing I want to think about is how my relationship with Cole has gone up in burst of flames.
How is it possible that almost a month ago, I couldn’t imagine us being apart?
And now?—
A hard hit from the left knocks me off my skates. I crash into the ice before rolling onto my back. Even with all my padded protection, it hurts like hell. My eyes water as I fight to find my breath. I haven’t taken a hit like that in years. It feels like the very life has been knocked from my body.
I open my eyes and stare up into Sammy’s narrowed blue ones.
What the fuck!
I can’t believe she trucked into me like that!
When I’m finally able to suck enough oxygen into my lungs, it still takes a few moments before I can grit out the question. “What the hell, Sammy?”
She shrugs her broad shoulders, which look even more massive underneath all the padding. “Is it my fault that you weren’t paying attention?”
“So, that’s a reason to take me out?”
Is there something seriously wrong with this girl?
Like major mental issues?
The number one rule in hockey is that you don’t hurt your own teammates. And she just broke it. I just hope that’s all she broke.
My gaze swings to the rest of the girls who have stopped skating to form a tight circle around us. It becomes apparent by the way most are shifting uncomfortably and avoiding eye contact that none want to get involved in this skirmish. I can’t blame them for that. Sammy is our captain and I’ve only recently joined the team.
And well…she’s Sammy.
I wouldn’t want to go against the girl either. Even though I’m disappointed no one will stand up for me, I understand it. My entire body hurts as I scramble to my skates, unwilling to keep looking up at her from my sprawled-out position on the ice.
My temper rises as I skate toward her until our face cages are practically touching. What just happened has nothing to do with me being caught unawares and everything to do with her cousin.
“If you have a problem, take it up with me off the ice.” There is so much anger thrumming through me that I’m shaking. “Especially since we both know this has nothing to do with hockey.”
Eyes narrowing, she sneers, “And what if I want to take it up with you right now?”
There’s no way I can back down from this fight. I’d never be able to hold my head up again with this team and would have to quit.
As much as it sucks, I grit out, “Then let’s go.” I’m on the verge of tossing down my gloves and whipping off my helmet.
My heartbeat thumps painfully against my ribcage as she holds my gaze for a long, challenging moment. I can almost feel everyone’s collective breath being held as the tension in the rink ratchets up another notch.
This won’t be the first skirmish I’ve ever been involved in. Although, I’ve never been in a fist fight with a member of my own team.
Sammy cocks her head before saying loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Let’s grab something to eat after this and we’ll hash it all out then.”
My rigidly held muscles loosen as air rushes from my lungs in relief. I wasn’t looking forward to getting my ass handed to me in front of all these girls. I’m not delusional enough to think I could have taken her.
“Fine.”
Everyone splinters apart as if a fight didn’t almost erupt, and we’re back to scrimmaging again. Even though nothing has been solved with Sammy, it feels as if the thick undercurrent of tension brewing between us has been dispelled.
