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“We’re a team, asshole. This isn’t about me, and it’s certainly not about you.”
“Did I say we weren’t a team?”
“Rivers,” Storm warns quietly.
I don’t know what Rivers has told the rest of the guys about the feud between us, and frankly, I don’t really give a shit. I just want to get on with my job.
“Fine,” Rivers says before skating off to let Storm take over.
We run the drill over and over until Rovvy says that he’s done, and then the four of us trudge toward the dressing room, ready to get the fuck out of here.
The room is silent as we begin stripping out of our equipment and it remains this way as we start showering. Eventually the others begin chatting about our next game before moving onto Fletch’s birthday party.
I’m sure it’ll be a surprise to no one that I don’t have any fucking interest in attending that. But this is our captain. I don’t really have a choice.
As Kodie pointed out, we’re a team.
I might not want to be here, and they all might wish I weren’t, but it’s too late for all that. I’m not going anywhere—for a little while, at least.
We’re closing in on the trade deadline. And while I don’t expect LA to keep me forever, I highly doubt they’re going to hand me off to another team quite yet. I need to disappoint them first, and for that, I’m going to need a little more time.
A heavy sigh falls from my lips, and it isn’t until I wrap my towel around my waist that I realize they’ve all turned their eyes toward me.
“What?” Rovvy turns away to finish his shower, but Rivers and Storm continue to watch me with caution. Seriously, it’s like they think I’m a lion who’s about to pounce on its prey.
“You know, it would be so much fucking easier if you two could just hash out whatever it is that has you wanting to kill each other every five seconds. Is it so hard to remember that you were friends once?”
His words hit like an arrow through my chest.
“Don’t fucking look at me,” Kodie states. “I didn’t do anything.”
He isn’t wrong.
Kodie Rivers himself didn’t do fucking anything.
It was someone else who poisoned me against my once-best friend, and I fucking hate him for it.
If it weren’t for the constant comparing, the constant criticism, then maybe things would have turned out differently.
My heart rate increases, and I take a step away from them. It’s amazing how quickly the tables can turn. Now I’m the one feeling cornered, as if I’m about to endure an attack I’m not ready for.
“We’re a team. Out there, I have your backs. All of you. You never have to question that.”
Kodie scoffs, but Linc isn’t mollified with that.
“And what about here? Being a team on the ice isn’t enough. The Vipers are a family, and you have no choice but to be a part of it. There is no other option, Nash.”
He holds my gaze, showing me just how serious he is.
“It doesn’t matter any of our opinions about your trade. You’re here now, and if we’re going to get anywhere close to the cup this year, we all need to be on the same page. We all need to work together.”
“I’m here, aren’t I? I’m putting in the work.”
That shuts him up.
“Just make sure it stays that way,” he says firmly, finally allowing me to escape.
As I dry off, I hear the low tones of their voices rumbling over the sound of running water. My skin prickles as they finally join me and start pulling street clothes from their lockers. Their conversation has changed, but I have no doubt that they were talking about me back there, and I very much doubt they were saying anything positive.
