He scoffed and gave me a shove. “Oh for fuck’s sake, dude. You’re not exactly subtle.”
I straightened. “I’m… I’m not?”
“No.” He shook his head and gestured for us to start walking. As we fell into step with him, he said, “I can tell the minute he walks into the locker room. I thought it was just because he was bringing in your kids, but then I realized it happens even when he’s by himself.” He smacked my arm with the back of his hand. “Like I said—you’re not subtle.”
I looked at the rookie for confirmation, and he nodded.
“Great,” I muttered. “Why can’t the two of you be this observant on the damn ice?”
That prompted protests from both of them, and they talked over each other as they defended their innocence. I just laughed as we continued toward the elevators.
I was still pissed about the exchange with Chats, but I felt better. And I was grateful for my teammates who’d stepped in. They didn’t put up with his shit, whether it was harassing me or being an elitist asshole who thought people were beneath him.
I played with a lot of good guys, and I was glad they had my back.
Unfortunately, the road trip only went downhill from there.
Maybe it was demoralizing loss followed by the late flight followed by the early morning. Maybe my coffee hadn’t made it into my system yet as I joined my team for yet another morning skate.
Or maybe I was just tired of my asshole teammate.
Whatever the case…
“For fuck’s sake.” I whirled on Chats after he “accidentally” slashed me during a drill. “What is your fucking problem?”
“What?” He laughed, putting up his gloved hands. “What are you talking about, man?” He nodded sharply. “Come on. We gotta finish the?—”
“Fuck the drill,” I snapped. “We’re finishingthisright here, right now.”
His eyes widened. Then they narrowed as a sly, triumphant grin came to life. “Yeah? So what? You wanna drop gloves or something?”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” I growled.
I was distantly aware of a whistle blowing. Of one of our coaches yelled something. But I kept my glare fixed on Chats and his smug fucking face.
“I don’t need to fight with you,” he said with a smirk. “I already won. And I get to put my dick in it every time I’m?—”
“Yo, hey!” Tremblay grabbed Chats’ shoulder and tugged him back. “Come on, dude. Give it a fucking rest.”
“What?” Chats laughed. “I’m not the one who’s butthurt and can’t move on!” To me, he said, “If it didn’t bug you, you wouldn’t get all pissy every time you see me with him. Must be tough, knowing I’m getting that?—”
“Shut the fuck up!” I snarled as Hoes put a hand on my chest, not quite holding me back but ready to if the need arose. I scoffed and shook my head. “Christ, Chats.” I gripped my stick so hard, I was amazed it didn’t break even through my gloves. “I don’tcarethat you’re with him. You can fucking have him. The only reason I still have to put up with you two is because we’re teammates and I have kids with him. Otherwise, I would be more than happy to never lay eyes on either of you again.”
He barked a sarcastic laugh. “Just admit it, Trev—you hate seeing us because you hate being reminded that he’s not putting his?—”
My hold on my temper snapped, and I threw my stick as I lunged for him.
Hoes was ready, though, and he held me back, shouting, “Whoa! Whoa! Trev—easy, man. Easy!”
Petrovich joined in, taking my arm as I shook off my glove.
Spaulding and Arnolds held on to Chats, who was shouting at me to come on, come on, bring it, though his voice was muted through the cotton in my ears.
A whistle blew. It had blown several times, I realized now, but I’d been so single-mindedly focused on Chats that it hadn’t registered.
“Enough!” Coach bellowed. “Both of you!” He skated in between us and shot us each a venomous look. “What the fuck is going on?”
Chats opened his mouth to respond, but Martin scowled and said, “Chats is antagonizing Trev.Again.”
