last place. Not only in the Western Conference but in the entire fucking league. If we don’t win damn near every game left, that’s exactly where we’ll be. Last fucking place. Two years in a row… I don’t want to think about the repercussions of that.
Now that I think about it, the kinkiness factor is a little much, too.
The lights in the arena shut off, the announcer rumbles our introduction, but as is generally the case, he sounds so disinterested he might as well simply call us “the other team.” However, it’s our cue to go out onto the ice, so we do. Since this is an away game, we’ll have to endure Detroit’s theatrical entrance while we do last-minute warm-ups.
Really, Kingston. Thanks for a good time. But I’ve got another man to warm my sheets, so your services are no longer needed.
The minute I step out onto the ice, I know this night’s going to be shit. I can feel it in my bones.
I stare blankly at the mirrored wall behind the bar. Every now and then, the bartender crosses in front of me, breaking my concentration. Studying the fucking bottles lining the glass shelf isn’t exactly rocket science, though.
I’ve been sitting here for the past half hour drinking a Sam Adams and trying to persuade my overtaxed brain to give up and call it a night. I declined the invite from some of the guys to go out for drinks. After our brutal loss, it would probably be smart to relax a bit, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
“Mount Rushmore?”
I cast a cautious glance over my shoulder and see a skinny brunette standing there, smiling at me. I cock an eyebrow, waiting.
“Can I get a picture?”
I want to tell her no. I want to tell her to leave me the fuck alone. I’d rather sit here and have a pity party without interruption, thank you very much. Instead, I turn on the stool and face the other girl holding the camera. The brunette leans in, getting rather cozy for a second while her friend figures out the iPhone. When it appears their acquired picture is all good, I sit up straight and wait for the questions to come. I’m quite familiar with having very little privacy, especially after a game.
Turning to the brunette, I wait, but…
I frown when she takes her friend’s arm and disappears as quickly as she arrived. She says nothing, doesn’t even look back.
“Okay then.” Pivoting back around, I grab my beer.
I’m tempted to put the cold bottle against my eye. The damn thing’s swollen and will likely be black by tomorrow. It’s a trophy I took home from tonight’s game, given to me by one of their asshole forwards who felt it necessary to bowl me over in the net. Most of the time, one of my teammates would right the wrong, but tonight I was too pissed off to let it go. Rather than take a deep breath, I discarded my mask and my gloves, and the two of us went to blows.
To add insult to injury, I was ejected from the game.
No doubt I deserved it. The black eye, for sure. So did the other guy. He took a five-minute major and got back in while I scolded myself repeatedly in the locker room. Regardless, we’ll both be sporting shiners tomorrow.
Glancing down at my phone, I check the time, then nod to the bartender to pay my tab.
I’m wicked tired and if I don’t give up now, I’m only asking for trouble.
Quite frankly, I’ve had enough of that today.
It’s definitely in my best interest to call it a night.
2
Kingston
Friday, October 7th
Backing up, I barely tap the crossbar, then move forward, bending at the waist, my breathing even, eyes focused.
My left leg pad feels a little off, but I don’t have time to adjust it, so I push the thought away.
Staring straight ahead, I watch as the center comes racing toward me. He’s handling the puck like a pro—probably because he is one—shifting side to side, gaining speed as he barrels down on me.
Pressing my knees together, I lock my blades in the ice, preparing to block the shot with my body. My left glove is up, my right curled low around my stick as I wait patiently, counting down the seconds before he reaches me. I know his moves; he likes to come in high, so I’m expecting that in the back of my mind. He retreats, which is certainly