Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(72)

28

Kingston

Tuesday, November 8th “Fuck.” Grumbling to myself is the only thing I can seem to do as I sit on the bench and watch the shit storm that is taking place on the ice in front of me.

I’m decked out in my pads, but rather than wearing my mask, I’m sporting an Arrows cap, supporting my team from the sidelines. Since Locke is in goal tonight, I have nothing to do except root them on and be available in the event that I’m needed.

At this point, I’m not sure anything will help us.

Unlike our last home game on Tuesday … let’s just say, knowing Ellie is in the stands won’t do anything to help this game. Since Coach wanted to give Locke another shot, it doesn’t matter.

Tonight’s game has been brutal.

Between the number of penalty minutes we’ve racked up, the fights that have broken out, and the crappy night Locke’s having in the net, we would’ve been better off just giving this game to Detroit rather than showing up.

Even Spencer has instigated a fight or two, which is completely out of character for him.

I watch the line change, keeping my eye on the puck as it moves once again to our end of the ice. Our shots on goal tonight have been pathetic. We’ve let Detroit dominate all f*cking night, and it’s starting to piss me off.

Not that I could’ve done anything differently had I been the one in net. It’s simply one of those games that doesn’t go your way no matter how much you wish it would.

“One minute left in the period!” the announcer yells.

One minute left in the game, to be accurate.

With a sigh, I get to my feet, watching as the team gives it all they’ve got. The puck gets caught up right in front of our bench, and I watch as the players fight one another to get to it. At this point, it’s futile, but I appreciate the fact that they give it all they’ve got.

I glance up at the Jumbotron to see the seconds rapidly ticking by.

Forty seconds.

The puck gets free, and Valeri takes control, moving it down to the other end. He passes to Benne, who then passes to Spencer. Holding my breath, I watch as Spencer rears back and…

Twenty-eight seconds.

He shoots and goes wide.

Valeri is right there. He gets his stick on the puck, passing it back to Benne, who takes a shot…

Goal!

Holy shit!

Fourteen seconds left and Patrick Benne has scored.

The crowd gets excited, but we’re still down by one. Even with a miracle, we won’t be able to get another goal in that short of a time, but I watch as everyone gets into position, the lines changing again.

The puck drops, we take control…

The buzzer sounds.

Game is over.

We lost.

It’s disappointing, but nothing can be done about it.

I wait for Locke to make his way over, then I tap him on his helmet. He played a good game, although he gave up three. Had it not been the end of the third period when that third goal got by him, Coach would’ve pulled him and put me out there. I’m glad he didn’t. Locke looks pissed and I know how he feels. No matter how hard you fight it, you can’t help but be disappointed with a loss, but in the same sense, you can’t carry it with you for long.

The team evacuates the bench and heads to the locker room. For the most part, everyone is silent, which is par for the course. Everyone—even those of us not on the ice—takes it hard.

“What the f*ck was going on out there?” Benne questions, his attention on Spencer.

“Nothin’, man. Leave it alone,” Spencer counters.

“Leave it alone? That * was talking about your sister, man. How the f*ck do you leave it alone?”

Hold up.

What?

I make my way to Benne. “What do you mean, talking about his sister?”

The kid spins on me, anger flashing brightly in his eyes. “Talking about how Spencer lets his sister get f*cked by a woman beater.”

I glare at Spencer, and he shakes his head. I know he’s trying to blow me off, but it’s not going to happen.

“It’s nothing,” Spencer says to no one in particular when I close the distance between us.

“Nothing, my ass.”

“Let it go, Rush. He’s a dick and he was just running his mouth.”

“No, that’s bullshit,” Benne argues. “You should’ve laid him the f*ck out.”

Or told me about it and I would have.

“It’s bullshit!” Spencer yells back at Benne. “Leave it the f*ck alone. The guy’s a dick. He was trying to piss me off. In case you didn’t notice, it f*cking worked.”

Well, that explained the penalties.





Ellie

Rather than sit around and wait for Spencer or Kingston and what I assume will be their pissy attitudes, I go straight home from the game. I came alone tonight because Bianca chose to spend the night with Gabby since tomorrow is a teacher workday, which means teachers work, kids get to stay home. I originally thought about asking Noelle to come along, but I’m glad I didn’t.

For some reason, tonight’s game put me in a sour mood.

After washing my face and changing into an oversized T-shirt to sleep in, I make my way to the kitchen and pour a glass of wine. Grabbing my phone from my purse, I head over to the couch, but before I can sit down, it buzzes in my hand.