Page 29 of Full Tilt
“What?!” I yell, earning a few jeers from our traveling fans.
Like I give a fuck that I’m laying into their golden boy.
Sawyer just watches as I take a seat on the bench behind me, throwing my stick down in the process.
Above the arena noise and behind the glass, it’s virtually impossible to hear him, although that doesn’t mean I can’t make out what he’s saying.
You’re going to fuck your career, he mouths at me.
I throw out a hand, my confidence giving way to self-pity. I’m so fucking done with people and trying to prove myself.
So fucking done with hockey and trying to be a team player when, clearly, I’m not made for it.
So fucking done with Jenna Miller.
“So fucking what?!” I volley back at my former captain. “Maybe I already did.” I pull at my jersey, practically ripping it at the seams. “Once a Schneider, always a Schneider, no?!”
CHAPTER TEN
JENNA
Ithought I’d seen it all when it came to Tommy Schneider.
But nothing could’ve prepared me—or anyone else who watched the Blades away series against the Scorpions a few nights ago—for that crazy display of pure rage from Tommy.
The fight, the way he lost his shit in the penalty box, smashing his stick until it cracked from brute force.
He’s an animal with zero sense of remorse, beating that poor rookie to an absolute pulp.
And why?
Because Tommy Schneider is little more than a thug, using hockey as an excuse to vent his rage.
The media is speculating that his career will be over well before his dad’s was, and I personally can’t foresee an outcome where it isn’t. He’s on a slippery slope to nowhere.
I witnessed the way he spoke to Sawyer. And when the crowd jeered at his actions, Tommy seemed to feed off it.
The Blades just played Ohio at home and secured an emphatic win. I don’t know if he’ll show at Lloyd’s tonight, but ifhe does, I plan to ignore him. The last time Tommy saw me, he told me to have a nice life, and I should definitely do that. Push past his existence and get on with my soccer career.
Life without the Blades bad boy in it will be way less complicated and stressful. He reminds me of my bullies from high school—constantly searching for the next opportunity to goad and back me into a corner. He brings the worst out of me, makes me say things I don’t mean.
But above all else, he doesn’t make me proud of my actions. Just being in his presence pushes me to the very brink of my patience as I permanently bite my tongue. I’m not a mean or scornful person. I’m a kind and caring friend to my girls, a loving sister to my brother.
I’m not the kind of girl who gets involved with brutes like Tommy Schneider.
“You’re searching for him, aren’t you?” Darcy clinks her cocktail glass against mine.
I didn’t plan to have alcohol tonight, especially since I have a game the day after tomorrow, but sometimes, it’s needed.
I smile at my friend while she examines my expression. “I’m more concerned about the Scorpions rookie, Curtis Freeman; he isn’t on their roster tonight.” I point at the TV above the bar, which is showing the Scorpions game live.
Darcy shrugs like she isn’t surprised. She’s Coach Morgan’s stepdaughter, and her family has a history with the Schneider last name. “I give it a few weeks, and he’ll be on the trade list. The difficulty will be shipping him off. I can’t imagine any team wanting to take him on. He’s the ultimate disruptor.”
I open my mouth to agree when she continues.
“Trouble is …” She twists her lips to the side. “If he dropped the bravado, he’d actually be a pretty decent player.”
“Oh, it’s more than just bravado,” I scoff as Archer arrives and pulls her into his side in an act of pure possession.
