Page 47 of Pucking Them
He poisoned my friendship with D’Angelo with lies, when D’Angelo loved me from the day that we met. He loved me in a way that Wilder would never understand.
A narcissist like Wilder could only love himself.
D’Angelo, Shay, and Eden are the exact opposite of my ex-husband. They have shown me that relationships can be equal with everyone having their different needs met, while remaining independent.
I never thought that I would find a way to feel free, while also being loved.
The Bay Rebels reaching the Stanley Cup Final is D’Angelo’s legacy. It’s Shay’s hope of blazing onto the NHL scene. It’s the only way that we can save our Bay Rebels family from falling apart, as well as our town from economic ruin.
I won’t let a man like Wilder take it away from us.
I’ll find a way to support my men.
Wilder is pulling back his stick, as if to score.
My heart is in my mouth.
Suddenly, D’Angelo and Shay, in a breathtakingly skillful move, set on Wilder in a pincer attack. They tackle the puck away from him.
“Yes!” I twist around in Eden’s arms.
A rush of excitement runs through the arena.
D’Angelo passes Shay the puck.
Shay skates toward the goal with the first real determination in the game.
I hold my breath.
Please.
Instantly, however, Shay is blocked by two defensemen, and before he can find a way around them, Wilder is checking him harshly into the boards.
I wince, when Shay hits his hip with a sickening crunch. He shields his head.
“I’m going to kill him,” Eden growls.
Wilder should truly watch out.
My hands clench. My guts churn.
Then my eyes narrow in suspicion, as Wilder leans in and whispers something.
It must be a chirp.
Shay rears back; his eyes are blazing.
Shay has his demons. From the beginning, he has been mentored by both D’Angelo and coach on his anger issues.
Wilder has just played him.
When Shay’s gaze darts to me, my heart sinks.
The chirp must have been about me.
I shake my head. “Don’t…”
“Don’t you dare…” Eden says at the same time.
