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We’ve had similar speeches given to us since we started training again, but it’s clear he’s still frustrated with the shape we’re in as a team. With a brand-new center, we need to learn to play together the way we all did last year when Cam Hardy and Brody O’Brien were here.
Coach LaConte is the toughest coach I’ve ever had. But he’s my favorite too. He gets shit done, and I think Brooks University is lucky to have him on board. But I also know he’s going to ride us hard this season if he doesn’t think we’ve unlocked our full potential.
And if there’s one thing I hate, it’s feeling like I’m failing at something. I go hard at anything and everything I do, to the point that it’s really stressful. But that’s who I am. And hockey is the most important thing in my life—even if my parents don’t want it to be.
“It’s been months of practicing with the new team, and I still can’t get used to not having those guys here,” Link says, coming next to me. “Thank fuck we still have Gentry, Huff, and you because, goddamn, a lot of these guys are so green that I might just call them broccoli. I’m worried about this season—I ain’t gonna lie about that.”
“We’ll get it done, Cap.” I slap his back. “You know LaConte handpicked everyone here. He knows what he’s doing. Have a little faith.”
“If you say so,” he sighs.
“Hey, your ass is the one who decided to stay here for another season instead of playing in the pros in Cali.”
He cracks a smile. “What can I say? I love my girl. She had another year, so that meant I had another year left in me as a Wolf.”
He skates away, ready to start practice.
I personally think he’s completely nuts to play another season of college hockey. It puts him at risk of being injured and losing his secured place in the NHL. But I guess I get it. Sort of. He has his old lady here at Brooks. And he must love her enough that waiting another year and staying with her outweighed playing for the pros sooner. It’s romantic. And sweet.
But I still think he’s fucking insane. I’ve never in my life loved anyone more than I love Paige. And even with her, I don’t know if I could do what Link did.
3
Hunter
The smell of weed hits my nostrils before I even leave my room. Which means Cade is planning to party today. And by party, I mean, party by himself. We practiced this morning and don’t have to be back at the arena until tomorrow afternoon. In Cade Huff’s brain, that can only mean one thing—get fucked up.
He doesn’t care that we can get drug-tested at any given time. Or that I’m pretty positive that people who have been to rehab aren’t supposed to get high or drunk. And he certainly isn’t concerned about a possible hangover. If I thought Brody O’Brien was crazy, Cade is ten times worse. The dude is wild and unpredictable. But, fuck, he’s funny—just as long as you don’t get on his bad side, that is.
Our house is made up of three of us—Cade Huff, Watson Gentry, and me. Watson is timid, polite, and I’m pretty sure he’s never even smoked weed, much less tried drugs. Certainly never done cocaine or prescription pills, like we all know Cade went to rehab for in the past. Maybe that’s what makes us all work together so well. We are nothing alike, yet we have each other’s backs at the drop of a hat.
When I head down the stairs, there sits Cade. Sprawled out on the couch, playing his Nintendo Switch with his shirt off and a joint hanging out of his mouth.
“Whaddya say, Thompson? Play a game of Call of Duty with me?”
“Fuck no,” I scoff. “You know I don’t play that shit.”
“Fine. Smoke a joint with me and get the munchies?”
“No,” I say bluntly.
“Nothing like it, my friend. Get a little high. Hop on here, play a little COD, and then go get some cheeseburgers. It’ll be a damn good time.”
“I’ll take your word for it. But maybe consider taking it easy, yeah?” I mutter, looking at him in sheer horror, worried that he’s spiraling. “What’s Gentry up to?”
“Hard to say with that boy. Probably eating cookies his mama made him. And if they were pot cookies, I’d make him share.” He inhales before exhaling the white smoke into the air. “Where are you headed?”
“Just need to run a few errands before class.”
“I’ve heard that before.” He smirks. “Off for a booty call with your ex, are you? You’ve got the best fucking setup I’ve ever seen. She doesn’t want to date you, both of you can do as you please, but you can fuck her when she’s horny.”
Sending him a glare, I reach for the door. “Later, Cade. I’d say behave, but I think you’ve already blown that for the day.”
Going outside before he can respond, I close the door behind me and start toward my truck. Climbing in, I head to the library. I need to use the printer because the one at the apartment is a raging pile of shit, and I think Cade took a hammer to it yesterday. Which leaves me no other choice than to use Brooks’s library.
I park my truck, looking around at the fairly full parking lot. There’re a lot of people nerding out right now.
Great.
