Page 180 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“Oooh, someone’s in trouble,” someone snickered behind me, as AJ stood and caught the ball of black fabric.
“I told her.” AJ handed the sweaty jersey to me. He waved to Grif. “Love you, Boo-Boo. Great job defending Dean. I hope that fucker is missing some teeth.”
“Damn straight, Pepperjack. Love you, too.” Grif still stood there, his undershirt stuck to his body, eyes fixed on me.“Kitten.”
“Grif Graf, get in the fucking box now before you’re ejected,” the linesman grumbled, giving his arm another tug.
“Put it on before he gets in trouble, Princess,” AJ muttered to me. “Don’t want him kicked out.”
“Thank you, Tiger. Love you, too.” I pulled the sweaty, stinky, torn-up jersey over my sweatshirt. Was that blood?
Grif let himself get dragged away, but he kept his eyes on me, making sure I’d put it on. I blew him a kiss.
“Told you. You also smell,” AJ teased, pinching his nose.
“Fuck you,” I laughed, giving him a little shove. While I didn’t want to wear it since itreekedand was damp, it was a very sweet gesture. A verypossessivegesture. Hopefully, he wouldn’t get in trouble, and someone would bring him another.
“Naw, I’ll save that for Grif,” he chuckled.
I’d be fine with that.
Coach Atkins slapped Jean-Paul on the shoulder. He pulled on his helmet, climbing over the boards onto the ice and getting into the goal. Jean-Paul waved at his fiancée, and she made a heart with her hands.
Gwen looked at her phone, brow furrowing, then stood, grabbing her backpack.
“Are you leaving us, Ladybug?” Janessa asked.
“Coach Kirov wants me to go down to the locker room in case they need me. I hate that my job depends on people getting hurt.” Gwen frowned and left the stands.
“I still don’t understand what Gwen does for the Knights,” I whispered to AJ.
“She’s an EBUG, an emergency backup goalie. If something happens to JP, and they don’t want Dean to go back in, the EBUG plays,” AJ explained.
“Okay.” That made sense.
“She could also be called in for the other team if both their goalies go down or get sick. The Knights EBUGs are all students. She plays for NYIT, like I did.”
“Oh. She told me she’s one of NYIT’s goalies. That’s kind of amazing.” That didn’t exist in fútbol.I’dplayed goalie in a pinch more than once.
“The fans love the EBUGs. Dean was one when he was at BosTec,” he added.
“You attended NYIT?” I paused. “I never knew that. What did you study?”
“Data science. Played hockey for them, too.” He squeezed my hand. AJ looked at the players on the ice. “Wow, that lineup is weak. Fortunately, Beau’s in the box. Honestly, Grif should have been ejected for that. They were probably lenient because everyone knows the situation.”
There wasn’t much time left in the second period, anyway. Beau didn’t look happy. Blood ran down his face and he looked like he was missing a couple teeth.
That’s what happened when you messed with someone’s omega goalie.
I just hoped Dean was okay.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Grif
Pure rage shot through me as I skated across the ice. The clock ticked down. Beau’s violent goal hadn’t counted, but the Aces scored on us while most of the team was in the penalty box. Nia also scored, so we were now tied 4-4.
At this point, I’d happily get suspended or pay a fine if it meant we won.
