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I stiffen.What the fuck?“Am I being fired?”
“You’re here to assist with the summer training camps, nothing more. We need someone to provide defensive conditioning and another set of eyes on the ice. What we don’t need is you babying the goalie because he feels misunderstood.”
I stare at him, a little bit shocked and a lot annoyed. I’m not sure if his problem is with me, specifically, or the world. Either way, this fucker needs to lighten up.
“Whatever you say, Nico.” Like I knew it would, this puts his back up. I can practically see his hackles rise, and have to bite back a satisfied smile. Nearly the first thing he told me was that I could call him Coach Mackenzie. “Need help cleaning up?”
I skate off before he can answer, bending at the waist to snatch up cones as I go. I’m probably imagining it, but I think I can hear his teeth grinding behind me. Peeking over my shoulder, I watch as he heads in the opposite direction. He skates past two cones before bending to pick one up. I grab up the rest on my half of the ice quickly, then stand at center ice and watch him. He’s missed half the cones, and I can’t tell if it’s on purpose or not;is he expecting me to get them?
Shaking my head, I decide not to rock the boat. Gritting my teeth, I clean up behind him. He must hear me skate up, because he turns around. When he sees what I’m doing, he looks furious, and my own annoyance grows in response—I can’t win with this guy.
“I’ve got it,” he bites out.
“Sure,” I say, but still lean over to grab the last cone. I swear, fire nearly comes out of his ears.
Later, I wait for him by the lockers, leaned casually against the wall. I didn’t bother changing back into my streetclothes, since I’ll probably just head home from here. Or, on second thought, maybe I’ll go grab a burger. I straighten when Nico comes out of the locker room.
“You waited.” He scowls at me.
“Sure did.” I offer him a casual smile, even though he’s being a douche. “I’m going to grab a burger, do you want to join me? I know a place. It’s a little far from here, but worth the drive.”
He stares at me, squinting slightly. It’s nearly identical to the suspicious look Carter Morgan aimed my way all day. I take the opportunity to look him over, noting that he changed out of his SCU Athletics gear. He’s wearing dark jeans and a nice button-up shirt; I can smell a faint hint of cologne—something spicy.
“No,” he answers. Eventually, as though the words had to be dragged out of him, he adds: “Thank you.”
“You got plans?” We’re still standing in the hallway outside the locker room, and I’m not sure why I’m pushing this. I’m not convinced his company would be any more enjoyable at dinner than it was here today.
“I do.” Again, he pauses, considering his words before continuing. “I have a date.”
“Oh, well, why didn’t you just say so?” I grin, tapping my knuckles against the side of his bicep. He doesn’t flinch away, but I can tell it’s a close thing.
I step to the side, waiting for him to start walking so that I can match my stride to his and walk next to him. Even this seems to make him unhappy; discomfort practically radiates off him as we make our way to the exit. When we turn a corner, he knocks a shoulder into the wall and a slight flush settles over his cheekbones. I take a surreptitious step away from him, wondering if he’s so opposed to accidentally touching me that he’d rather run himself into the wall.
“Same time tomorrow?” I ask, holding the door for him to follow me outside.
“Yes.”
He’s standing still, either waiting for me to leave or lead the way. The parking lot is massive, though, and I doubt there’s any chance we parked near one another.
“Uhm, I parked over in one of the student lots.” I wave an arm behind me. “Like, way over there. Are you closer?”
Again, I have to question my motives. I need to turn around and go to my car.Why the fuck am I standing here prolonging the agony that is Nico Mackenzie’s company?
“I’m not parked here. I don’t—” This time, he closes his eyes briefly as he pauses. “I live here.”
“Oh, like…in the dorms?” I have no idea how a college campus works. My degree was earned online, between NHL games and during the off-season. He sighs, because of course that was a stupid question.
“No. In the faculty housing.”
“Right.” Makes more sense. It’s getting late in the day, and the campus is quiet. I want to ask him how many students are living here during the summer, but don’t want to look any dumber than I already do. “I can walk you back to your place.”
Now he’s looking at me like I’m crazy, as well as an idiot. “Why on earth would you do that?”
Jesus, I don’t know. Because I have manners more evolved than a fucking caveman?“It’s a nice night,” is what I say, instead. He shakes his head.
“I can find my way back on my own. Have a good night.”
Taking this for the dismissal it so obviously is, I don’t bother reaching for a smile. “Yeah. ‘Night, Nico.”
