Irresponsible Puckboy (Puckboys #2)(52)

“I find it funny that you never had an issue with Tripp and me before we got together, and now suddenly, you don’t want to see us being close.”

“What are you implying?”

“Seems pretty homophobic to me.”

He sneers. “Or maybe I think you’re both shitty people for dragging a sweet person like Jessica into your life and then betraying her.”

“I never cheated.”

“You think I’m going to believe that?”

My fist is itching to hit him, but that’s a fast way off the team. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly what he’s hoping for.

So instead, I force a deep breath and go low. “I think I’ve finally figured out your issue.”

His cocky expression slips for a fraction of a second.

“She said my name, didn’t she? When you were fucking her?” I shrug. “And now you think that somehow defending her against something that didn’t happen is the way to gain bonus points.” I cuff him on the shoulder a bit harder than I normally would. “Good luck with that.”

“Please. You really think she hasn’t filled me in on your mediocre sex life?” He laughs in my face. “She never thought refusing to peg you would send you after the real thing.”

What? I never …

I shove him, and he shoves me back, but before I can make a dumb choice, Tripp jumps up and pulls me back.

“No need to worry about us, Fensby. We appreciate your concern, but we’ve got things covered.”

But that’s the thing. We talk a big talk, and our sex life is amazing, but the few times I’ve brought up fucking, somehow we’ve ended up in handjobs or blowjobs and never got to that.

“You sure?” Fensby asks with mock concern. “Because Dex seems tense this year. He’s scored, what, once during preseason?”

“Twice, asshole.”

“Ah, my mistake. I stopped counting when you weren’t a challenge anymore. Don’t get too comfortable on the first line, buddy.”

As he walks away, I turn to Tripp and grit through my teeth, “I hate him.”

“Yep, me too.”

“Hey, one more thing,” Fensby calls from the door to the weights room. “How do you guys handle being married and called the Mitchell brothers? Doesn’t that gross you out? Or do you use it as some sick kind of role play?”

“You’re a dick,” Tripp says. “Worry about your own mediocre sex life.”

“I’m not the one who needs to worry.” He eyes Tripp in a way that makes my skin crawl. “Fifty bucks says Dex goes back to pussy before the season is over.”

Adler’s leaving the weight room as Fensby says that and nudges him. “Cut it out, man, that’s not cool.”

“Yeah, say that shit again!” I yell.

He’s finally gone too far. Hit me where it hurts and I’ll be upset; go after Tripp and I’ll fucking end you.

“What the hell is going on in here?” Coach’s voice reaches the room before he does, and the four of us freeze. He looks from me and Tripp to Adler and Fensby, jaw getting tense.

“Nothing, Coach,” I quickly say.

“Don’t lie to me.” His raised voice attracts others from the team. “Is there an issue here?”

Three of us answer with “no,” but Fensby says, “You’ve got to tell them to stop with the PDA.”

“Oh. So there is a problem?” Coach asks.

“We weren’t even PDA … ing.” I screw up my face. Word talk good. “Tripp was consoling me after that mess of a game, just like he would any other teammate.”

“I don’t go hugging any of my teammates,” Fensby says.

“Maybe if you did, the team might like you more,” I point out.

“Let me be very clear here.” Coach lifts his voice so even those in the weight room will be able to hear. “Preseason has been an embarrassment without bringing this crap into the locker room. Now unless something changes, I won’t hesitate to trade any one of you. Act like adults.” He turns to Fensby. “Keep your unwanted opinions to yourself.” Then his stare snaps to me. “And pick up your game.”

He turns and stomps from the room as my gut falls out my ass. I drop back onto the bench, but no one else moves.

A trade is all part of the game, but it’s not a part we enjoy. Through the season, we work side by side, seven days a week. Your team becomes your family, and having to leave and join someone else’s is a massive hit to your game.

Leaving all that would be hard enough without factoring Tripp into it.

Even before we started dating, I couldn’t bear the thought of not having him here, and if Coach’s look meant anything, my head is on the chopping block.

I can’t be traded.

I can’t leave here.

Not while we’re exploring this thing between us and finding a way to make it work. I hate the thought of waking up anywhere without Tripp. I might be having a shit time on the ice, but it’s barely been two weeks. I can turn things around. And outside of here, at home, I’ve never been happier.

I need to brush this off.

If I don’t want to be traded, there’s only one option.

I need to refocus on the game and forget about Fensby and the taunts he sends my way.