Page 3 of Fresh Ice
Alonso had thought excelling during practice would be the biggest challenge, but trying to survive Levy’s persistent attention turned out to be just as difficult.
Alonso tilted his chin up, trying to seem self-assured as he looked around the restaurant. Levy had found it on some New York Times article about must-go places in Brooklyn, apparently, and then practically dragged Alonso and two of the other young prospects—Larry and Cook—along.
“You’re from Calgary, right?” Levy asked Alonso, dark eyes boring holes into him.
“Uh…not really. I’m from a town nearby.”
“Oh. Still, a good Canadian boy, huh?” Levy teased.
Alonso frowned. He’d always sucked at this kind of banter and could feel the gazes of the other two guys on him, making him flush. “I don’t know about that.”
“Oh, don’t front. The coachesloveyou,” Larry said, an edge to his voice.
All Alonso could do was shrug.
“Nah,” Larry went on. “It’s a smart game. Suck up to them, it’ll get you on the team quicker.”
Alonso took a deep breath, not knowing quite what to say but knowing he had to defend himself, when Levy butted in instead. “Yo,sucking up? Is that what you call the way he landed half his shots in the shootout today? Against ourstarting goalie?”
Larry rolled his eyes, but he didn’t say anything further.
Alonso felt irritation zip through him. He didn’t need someone to stand up for him.
Alonso didn’t say much for the rest of the lunch—it was better if he didn’t give them another opportunity to poke at him.
He tried to avoid them from then on. He didn’t know Cook or Larry, and Levy was just…too bright.
Alonso was there for hockey, and on hockey he’d concentrate.
No matter his performance during camp, Alonso knew the real test was the preseason games. They wouldn’t contribute to the points needed by each team to make it to the playoffs, but it was a good showcase for prospects like Alonso.
Alonso wasn’t surprised when he was put on the same line as Levy, centering the second line with Levy on his left wing. He had to admit, no matter how different they were off the ice, they played good fucking hockey together.
“Hell yeah, baby!” Levy shouted, practically jumping on Alonso, who had just converted Levy’s pass into a goal.
Alonso knew nicknames like ‘babe’ and ‘baby’ were casually used between teammates, but the familiarity still made Alonso twitch. He couldn’t be too upset by the trampled boundary as their goal song filled the arena, though, the rest of the teammates on the ice joining their celly.
“That fucking wrister,” Gray, his other winger, complimented, tapping Alonso on the helmet.
They won that game, dropped the next, won the following two. All of a sudden, they were on the verge of the real season, and Alonso still hadn’t been returned to the OHL.
He had more goals than Levy, but Levy had more points, having raked in the assists. Alonso had no idea where he stood with the team, which was why his heart was pounding as the coach called him into a meeting with the assistant coach and GM.
“Hello,” Alonso greeted as he sat at the opposite side of the large table, trying to sound polite and not as nervous as he was.
Before any of the men could say anything, the meeting room door opened again, and Alonso was startled to see Levy step inside.
“Oh, hey. It’s a party,” Levy said with his usual too-casual tone.
Mark, the head coach, snorted. “Sit down, kid.”
Alonso tried not to stare at Levy, wondering what was going on. Were they demoting both of them? Surely they wouldn’t keep one of them and break the news in front of the other.
Alonso didn’t know if he would be able to take the humiliation.
“I’ll cut right to the chase,” Mark started. “We’ve all been impressed by you two. I’m not saying you don’t have things to improve—Alonso, you gotta be more of a team player, huh? We understand you’re new, but your presence in the locker room counts. And Levy, your front-net presence needs help. Still, work ethic and talent on the ice have earned both of you spots on the team.”
Distantly, Alonso processed Levy whooping loudly. They were keeping them both? Alonso hadn’t even known that was an option.
