Page 11 of The Icing on the Cake
I make my way over to Weston and offer him a fist bump, finally feeling at ease that someone else is just as nervous as me. “Defense, huh? Guess that means I’ll be counting on you to keep me from getting taken out.”
Weston’s eyes widen a little. “You know I’ll try.”
“Don’t worry about that,” a voice says behind me. “I’ll make sure you get plenty of action on the ice.”
I turn to see a guy with perfectly styled blond hair and the kind of smirk that immediately broadcasts a big ego, spinning a stick in his hands and leaning against the wall like the big man on campus.
“Nate Simpson,” he says, not bothering to extend a hand. “Left wing. I led my AHL team in goals.” He looks me over. “You’re the new defense, huh? Hope you can keep up when I’m flying down your side.”
Something about his tone—arrogant for someone who thinks one good season means he’s actually made it—reminds me of every entitled kid I’ve ever played with.
“I’ll do my best,” I say, keeping my expression calm, despite knowing exactly who he is.Neesha’s ex.The one who left her bruised in ways she still doesn’t talk about. And every instinct I have tells me this guy is still trouble.
“We’ll see,” Nate says with a shrug. “Coach likes to see what the new guys can handle. No guarantees you’ll stick around.” He pushes off from the wall. “Anyway, I’ve got media interviews. Local press wants to talk to the guys who actually put points on the board, you know?”
“Lowe!” Asher calls out when I show up for the second practice. “Ready to actually keep up with us today?”
“I kept up fine at the first practice,” I reply, pulling on my skates.
“Barely,” Cade teases with a grin. “Though I’ll give you credit for that pass in the scrimmage.”
Coach Hauser blows his whistle. “All right, boys, let’s see if our second practice brings some improvement. Warm-up laps, then we’re working on power plays.”
We hit the ice and fall into a rhythm together quickly. This time, there’s no awkward new-player vibe. Weston passes to me without hesitation and I’m starting to learn the team’s playing style to anticipate their moves.
Even Clément shakes his head with a smile when I get a shot past him at the net.
After two hours of drills that leave us all sweating and breathing hard, we head to the locker room. Showers turn on as someone blasts country music and sings along off-key.
“So,” Carson says in that slow drawl as he peels off his jersey, “you settling in okay next to the neighborhood watch president of Maple Falls?”
“You mean, Mrs. Nelson?” I say. “I haven’t made her mad enough yet to call the HOA, though she’s keeping an eye on me.”
“Heard you met the girl who runs the bookshop cafe?” Asher asks with a knowing smirk. “Word around town is you fixed her espresso machine.”
“The machine was broken. I fixed it. End of story.”
“Uh-huh,” Cade says, not buying it for a second. “And I’m sure the cupcakes she gave you were just a thank-you for yourmechanical expertise.”
“You know about the cupcakes?” I ask, surprised.
“This is Maple Falls,” Jamie says. “Mary-Ellen probably announced it at the post office before you even left the bookstore.”
I hold up my hands. “Well, I was only there for caffeine. I wasn’t hitting on her.”
Clément snorts. “He lies poorly.”
Jamie just gives me a look that says,You’re digging your own grave now.
“You guys don’t believe me?” I ask.
“Nope. I think you’ll be back in that cafe in less than a week,” Cade taunts, tossing a towel at my face.
“Actually,” I admit, “I’ve already been back a few times.”
The locker room erupts in knowing laughter and whistles.
“There it is!” Asher whoops. “The truth comes out!”
