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My brows pull down in suspicion as I grab my phone and unlock it. I find the picture gallery app open with a new video making my stomach sink.
My eyes widen in shock as I hit play to see the chick from earlier finishing herself off with a wicked grin across her face. I consider keeping the video for my spank bank before realizing if something like this were to be connected to my name, I’d lose my shot at the NHL. I hit delete on the video and double-check that she hasn’t sent it out from my phone.
All good.
With a shake of my head, I throw my phone down and head to the bathroom for a shower. I emerge not long after, and before I know it, I’m sitting in my business class, scrolling through social media and waiting for the lecture to finish.
The day drags by, but I finally end up in the locker room, suiting up for practice, and I couldn’t be more fucking ready.
“Payne,” Coach Harris hollers from the door of the locker room. “Get your ass in my office. Five minutes.”
“Yes, Coach,” I reply, even though he’s long gone.
I get my skates on and grab my stick and helmet before taking them out to the ice. Leaving them by the barrier, I make my way up the long hallway to Coach Harris’ office.
“What’s up, Coach?” I ask, barely knocking on his door before pushing through.
He looks up and gives me a quick nod. “Take a seat, kid,” he says, waving toward the chair opposite his desk with his pen and a stack of paperwork residing in front of him.
I do as I’m told but can’t help noticing last season’s Boys of Hockey calendar up on the wall, open to the page of last year’s captain, Miller Cain, in the ice rink gym. Coach sees what’s caught my eye and groans. “Really, Coach? Didn’t realize you were into that kind of thing.”
“Cut the shit, Jaxon,” he says, rolling his eyes as he leans back in his chair. “Dani put it up and kept putting it up every time I pulled it down. It got to the point where I couldn’t be fucked anymore,” he explains. “God, I miss that little spitfire.”
“I hear ya. Now, what can I do for you?” I ask, anxious to get on the ice.
“I’m just making sure you have your head screwed on this season,” he starts, watching me all too closely. “I don’t want any repeats of last year. You were a loose cannon, and we can’t afford any fuck-ups if we’re going to defend our trophy.”
“I agree,” I tell him straight out. “Miller was the best captain this team had in years, and I’m going to do everything I can to follow in his footsteps. You can count on me, Coach.”
“Good. If you’re going to go pro then I can’t be dealing with stories about my captain getting wasted at parties and having threesomes in his friend’s spare room,” he warns, pointing out a particular incident from last season.
Embarrassment floods me, but I quickly shrug it off. “Yes, Coach.”
“Now, I’m not saying you can’t enjoy yourself. After all, this is your senior year of college. I just need you to stay in control and think about the consequences of your actions. You have a future to think about now. Understood?”
I nod, itching to get out of here. “Understood.”
“Good, now get your ass out on the ice. You have drills to run.”
“On it, Coach,” I say as I escape his office and consider his words, only to realize that for the first time, I honestly mean it. I will do anything it takes to make sure I sign a contract at the end of the season. Even if it means my manwhore, drunken, partying ways are over. Well, to a certain extent at least. After all, I’m still a man.
Opening the barrier gates, I step on the ice and glide out into the center, feeling my blades cut through the ice. I instantly feel at home. Nothing is more natural to me than this.
“Gather round, boys,” I call out and watch in amusement as the team creates a semi-circle around me and takes a knee. I go through the warm-up portion of our session and get a freshman to grab the pucks and pull the goals into place. I explain the few drills we’ll be running and dismiss the boys to get started. They do as they’re asked without hesitation, getting stuck into their work and doing me proud.
I fall in line with the boys, pushing them to their limits and encouraging the stragglers. I do everything in my power to ensure I have the best team at my disposal this year.
Following training, the boys and I collapse into the locker room, absolutely exhausted from our massive first day. Bobby takes a seat next to me as he leans down to untie his skates.
