Page 57 of Chosen Boy

On the ice, he’s been doing great. His temper is worse than ever, and oftentimes, that gets him in trouble. But as a defenseman, that sort of goes with the territory. Cade was great at his position last year, but when we lost Brody, we really needed him to step it up. And in the arena, sure, he does. But it’s not just about the games. It’s about showing up for your team all the time. And lately, he just hasn’t been doing it.

Just before the puck drops, I skate next to Cade.

“Everything all right, man?” I tip my chin up at him. “Ready to do the damn thing?”

He simply smirks, giving me his usually cocky nod. “You know I am, Thompson. You know I am.”

And I just have to hope to hell he means it. Because without him, we’re fucked.

Game six, and we’ve already got a loss under our belt. And it doesn’t feel good either. It feels really fucking shitty. After winning against this team last night, I think some of us came into this game way too cocky.

And by some…I’ll go ahead and add my dumbass into the equation.

Last year, we were undefeated. To be coming into the season so early with this loss feels like a swift kick to the nuts.

The locker room is somber. Some of us toss shit around while others just move through the room like zombies, dressing and packing up our shit.

“I get it; you’re pissed,” Coach says, standing before us all. “I’m pissed too. You all know I don’t like to lose. But what I like even less is to lose in the way we just did.” He looks down before lifting his eyes again. “I don’t know where the fuck a few of your heads were, but it sure as shit wasn’t on the ice.”

It’s so quiet in the locker room that I’m pretty sure I could hear Watson’s stomach growling if I listened hard enough. Because that motherfucker is always hungry.

“I need you to come to Monday’s practice ready to work because after the shit I saw tonight, I’ll have you crying for your mother by the time you leave here.” He points to the door. “Take tomorrow off from reviewing game tape or anything hockey-related. And if you think I’m being nice, I’m not. I simply can’t stand the thought of looking at your faces.”

Turning, he heads into his office. Leaving us all to look and feel like morons.

“According to Cade, some of the team’s going to Peachesafter this,” Walker James says, walking up next to me. “You in?”

Walker James took Cam’s spot as the starting center. As a freshman, he has big shoes to fill, but he’s been doing pretty good so far. I wouldn’t wish the position of being the next Cam Hardy on anyone. Because truthfully, it’s impossible.

“A strip joint?” I frown. “That’s not really my scene, man.”

“Gentry said the same thing. You guys are boring as fuck,” he scoffs. “You’re all acting like a bunch of old men. No, I take that back. Even old fucks like strip clubs.”

“Hell yeah, they do,” Cade chimes in. “Come out with us, Thompson.”

“It’s not likely, fellas.”

I need to see Sutton. I need to give her the information that Jake found on her mother. And for selfish reasons, I guess I kind of want to see her too.

Sutton

The music is a slow enough beat that dancing isn’t overly strenuous, and I don’t find myself needing my inhaler nearly as much as some other shifts. Truthfully, since switching my meds up, I’ve been doing much better lately.

The smell of perfume in this room is strong. And even though one of them requested Ryann and me for a private performance in the back room, I declined. And lucky for me, our boss lets us choose what we’re comfortable with and what we’re not.

And being alone with a bunch of horny men in a back room…yeah, hard pass.

I continue dancing, rolling my hips as I wrap my fingers around the cold metal. My outfit tonight might be my sexiest yet. But with a bunch of medication refills needed, I need to make some cash. And Lord knows the sexier you look, the better the tips when it comes to the horndogs in this place.

Guilt strikes me. I wish I could have been there at Hunter’s game tonight. As a friend, of course. And if I didn’t have to work, I probably would have gone. It’s late enough that if the game isn’t over, it should be very soon. I hope Brooks won. The boys on that team give it their all, and they deserve a good season.

After a bit longer, I’m signaled that it’s time for my break, and I slowly work my way to the back.

I’m just sitting down, taking a drink of my water and having a few crackers when my phone rings. Hunter’s name is displayed on the screen, and I frown, unsure of what to do.

The background noise from the club’s music flows into this room, and he’ll probably wonder where I am. But if I don’t answer, I’ll feel bad because something could be wrong.

“Hello?” I say, putting the phone to my ear.

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