Page 24 of Pucking Them
I can’t let that happen to Noah.
I must win the Conference Finals.
I let out a long, calming breath, forcing myself to loosen my grip on the stick to an approving glance and nod from Atlas.
I lean back against the boards.
The lights are bright in the freezing arena. I take a breath of the scent of rubber and sweat.
The rest of the team are skating laps in between drills. As usual, Shay is pushing himself harder than anyone.
He glanced up when I first skated onto the ice, asking me without saying a word whether I was okay.
I simply nodded. “Show me what you’ve got.”
Shay grinned, before dedicating himself to the remainder of practice. He has been skating faster and harder than the rest of the team.
Yet they are all putting in an impressive, focused effort.
I haven’t missed how well they are pulling together.
It is nearing the end of the session, however, as I missed most of practice because of my meeting with Silas.
I can never settle properly because I feel like the kid who stumbles into math class half-way through because he has been hauled into the principal’s office for a scolding. Then the teacher immediately demands that he solve the problem that is written on the board, on the subject the kid has missed.
I bet Shay would still be able to solve it.
My smart boy.
I smile, watching Shay skate by me faster than any player in the NHL.
If I don’t fuck up this season, then he’s going to be a legend.
My smile widens.
I glance across the arena, catching Fleet’s eye.
Tyson Fleet, the Assistant Coach, is leaning on the boards on the opposite side of the rink, watching the players and shouting out advice.
Fleet is athletic and in his sixties.
A retired legendary player and coach, he has a dominant, military air. He is tall with broad shoulders and bulging muscles. His hair is neat and silver, contrasting to his cool brown skin and dark eyes.
As my closest friend, Fleet knows me well enough to understand that something is wrong but also, that I need some space.
He raises his brow at me, checking in.
“Later,” I mouth.
He simply nods.
We have one rule in The Kinks, our friendship group who run our VIP BDSM Club: Total honesty.
I value that more than anything.
You can’t be a true dom without honest, open communication and trust.
I am working on that with Shay and Robyn.
