“Right, Cap,” they say in unison.
Before I can get back out there, the horn blows, indicating the end of the period. As we make our way down the tunnel behind the other team, Jennings comes to a stop near the y-split, leading to the guest team locker room.
His smug expression makes him look like a pug, and his crossed arms complete his thug-like appearance. “Didn’t expect to see you playing tonight, Maxwell. I hear those ribs kept you out of play for a while.”
I pat my side. “Good as new. Guess you didn’t hit me as hard as you thought.”
Arms down, he fists his hands at his sides. “I can remedy that.”
Luke steps in front of me and nudges me toward the locker room. “Playtime’s over.” He points at Jennings and growls, “Mess with my guy, and you mess with me. Got it?”
The briefest flash of doubt passes through his eyes, but then he presses his lips together. “See you on the ice.”
Once we’re in the locker room, I pull my shirt off and sit on the bench. “Great. Now he’s really going to come after me.”
“Don’t sweat it, Pay. He’ll get his.”
Maybe, but now my guard is seriously up, which is probably what he was trying to do—get into my head. Even thoughts of Lily can’t obliterate my trepidation about that goon, but I’m determined to play my best game.
At the start of the second period, we score a goal during the first minute, which sets the Ghost Pirates on the warpath. But Wade blocks every shot. Thankfully, Jennings hasn’t tried to make good on his threat so far. Maybe he took Luke’s counter to heart.
Then we hit third period, and things get…intense. With five minutes left, the Pirates shoot a goal, tying the score and taking the tension to a whole new level. On the drop, we win possession of the puck but then get an icing call. The Pirates win the next puck drop, but my line sticks to theirs like the tape on my twig.
Ethan gets the puck, then shoots it my way for a slap shot. Luke’s positioned in front of the crease, ready to help bring the biscuit home while fighting off one of thePirates’ defensemen. I get into position to take a shot on goal when Jennings does his best to eliminate me with another body check. We both tumble to the ice, a tangle of legs, arms, and sticks. And the harder I try to detach from him, the more he hangs on to me. He’s like a monkey who’s decided I’m his favorite tree.
Just as I’m about to break free, he grabs my arm and pulls me down again, so I push him away. “Sod off!”
We both get back up on our blades, but he’s in my face. “What’s the matter, pretty boy? Can’t handle a little scuffle? Maybe you should go back to your real job—a royal wannabe in Tillendale.”
Everything in me locks up. I shove him against the boards. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bet I know more than you think,” he sneers.
Suddenly, Luke’s there, pushing his way between us. “Back off, Jennings, or I’ll make you wish you’d never played today.”
The whistle blows. I allow Luke to glide me back. Clearly having more to say, Jennings tries to follow, but Ethan won’t let him move. Elias and two other Pirates get into a scuffle that brings the refs in, trying to separate the tangle of arms and fists.
Luke and I head toward the other side of the rink.
Coach meets us at the bench door. “You okay, Pay?”
“I’m all good. That bloke’s a total nutter.” If that plank knows the truth about my family’s new title, who else might know? And what if he decides he wants everyone to know as well? I may have more of a pickle on my hands than a grudge-holding doucher.
“I’ll handle it. You just finish the game.”
“You got it, Coach.”
Except I wind up in the penalty box for two minutes. At least Jennings was penalized, too. We both hit the ice again with less than a minute left in the game and when the puck comes my way, I don’t waste the chance—I wind up and let a clapper fly.
We win the game by one point. But I’m not happy. This felt more like a small win in the war I see declared in Jennings’ face as he passes me on the way off the ice. This battle is far from over.
Brilliant. As if my life wasn’t complicated enough.
The look on Lily’s face when I walk out nearly makes me crack. But I do my best to appear more composed than I’m feeling at the moment. As far as my mates are concerned, Jennings is just nursing a grudge.
But I’d be a right idiot to think he’d keep my secret. It’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out. Somehow, I have to get ahead of this thing. Maybe Lily will have some ideas on how to do that.
She beams a smile at me, which I assume is for the benefit of Sophie and Mia, who are standing there as well, the ever-dutiful WAGs, looking for Luke and Ethan to come out. I’ve seen them there so many times, half grateful I didn’t have to be responsible for anyone else besides myself, and half wondering if one day there’d be someone there waiting for me.
