Page 23 of The Obvious Check
He knew the day I tried to talk to her in the club and he knows now. He’s taunting me. Showing me I have no chance with her, and he’s probably right.
I can’t help myself. While all the other players are heading off the ice, I make a point to skate past Luke, glaring at him. He takes it in his stride, unbothered that I could beat the shit out of him and Beardy McBeardson with my hands tied behind my back.
The third period is a grind. Brighton U throw everything they have at us, trying to get back into the game. Dash makes some huge saves to keep us ahead, and I maintain my focus, doing whatever I can to keep the puck out of our zone.
With a minute left, they pull their goalie for an extra attacker. The pressure is intense, but we hold them off. I block a shot near the blue line and the puck bounces off my shin pad and lands just ahead of me. I take off, skating as hard as I can toward the empty net. A defenseman is on my heels, but I have just enough of a step to get the shot off.
When the puck crosses the line, the game is sealed.
Another win in the books.
“Hell of a game, Bright,” Coach says as I skate to the boards after celebrating.
“Thanks, Coach.” I peel off my helmet and take a sip of my water, watching as the crowd leave. Okay, I’m not watching the crowd. I’m watching Luke, the grip on my water bottle tightening as he leaves with Beardy McBeardson.
I hope you enjoyed those tickets, fucking asshole.
What does Savannah see in that idiot?
Maybe that’s the point. Maybe I’m never supposed to know and the more I try to figure it out, the worse I’m going to make it for myself.
I stand there, stewing in my own annoyance long enough that the only people left on the ice are a few of my teammates, including Dash, oh, and he just so happens to be with my sister.
Although I like to think things are slowly getting better with my best friend, it doesn’t mean I enjoy watching him carrying my sister around the ice while she giggles and nuzzles into his neck, acting like he just earned a shutout and she’s his personal trophy. They’re sharing secret whispers. Smiling like goofy teenagers. They look like they’re having the time of their lives, and for some reason, it annoys the hell out of me.
“Guess she didn’t show up,” Scotty says from behind. His voice is low enough that only I can hear his pity-laced observation.
“Doesn’t matter.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue.
I skate around Scotty, heading to the gate because I wasn’t about to rip my heart out on the ice for everyone to see. I’d played one of the best games of my life, hoping she’d be here, and she wasn’t. Now I feel stupid for even thinking she might come, or that this might end in any other way than confirming she’s with Luke.
I don’t say a word as I skate around Dash and Madison, rolling my eyes because watching them together is like pouring salt directly into my open wound.
“You coming to grab food with us?” Dash calls over his shoulder as he helps Madison off the ice, as if I want to be the third wheel on their love mobile.
“Nah, I’m good,” I say. “I need to get back and check on Stanley.” At least I know I have him waiting for me when I get home. Seeing him is the best part of my day, and when I take him out for walks, he appreciates it.
I turn away and head toward the locker room. I need space. Space to cool off, space to stop thinking about how fucking empty the stands looked without Savannah in them.
As I peel off my sweat-soaked gear in the quiet of the locker room, I can’t shake the nagging feeling of disappointment lodged between my ribs. I try to tell myself it doesn’t matter whether she came or not, it wasn’t going to end any other way. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt, though.
“Whatever,” I mutter under my breath, shoving my skates into my bag. It’s not like I can do anything about it now. With my bag over my shoulder, I head out of the locker room and stuff my hands in my sweatshirt once I leave the rink.
“Cade.” His voice is unmistakable, slithering into my ears like poison.
My fist clenches inside my pocket hard enough to turn my knuckles white as I turn. Everyone else left at the end of the game, but he’s still here, lurking in the dark shadows, and I have no doubt it’s because he’s waiting for me.
“Luke.”
His smile stretches unnaturally wide as he takes a step toward me. I don’t back away. That would show he has power over me, and he doesn’t. “Hell of a game you played out there tonight.”
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“It’s almost like you were hoping to impress someone.”
He searches my face, watching for any tick of a reaction that I’m not going to give him.
“Is there something you want?”
