Page 44 of Pucking Them
Wilder’s gunmetal blue eyes locked with mine.
Then he winked.
I jolted. My cheeks reddened with rage.
Eden growled, jerking forward like he was ready to smash through the glass to attack Wilder.
“Don’t,” I warned. “He is trying to provoke you. He’ll do the same to Shay and D’Angelo. We’re screwed.”
I knew exactly how my men were going to react in a game facing this asshole without time to prepare.
How were they expected to calmly face someone who had abused and stalked us?
They were playing the most important games of their lives, and their focus was fucked.
Was this the Pittsburgh Penguins’ secret plan all along?
Wilder’s?
He played mind games.
Plus, he has had a vendetta against D’Angelo since college. The bully was jealous of his teammate’s talent and the way that he was praised.
To a peacock like Wilder, being made to look average by a legend like D’Angelo, who was only ascholarship boy,was something he couldn’t forgive.
It was why he lied about D’Angelo to ruin our friendship.
Was he now trying to take away his chance to win the Stanley Cup for the same reason?
No fucking way.
I clasped at the gold pendant of a jersey, which D’Angelo and the twins had given me. I tightened my hold on Eden’s hand. Then I tilted up my chin, defiantly.
I wouldn’t let my asshole ex think that he could intimidate me.
This wasmyarena.
Wilder was the jerk who didn’t belong here.
I swung around, searching for Dad.
He was standing with crossed arms by the stands, glowering at Wilder with his emerald eyes like he could incinerate him with his glare alone.
Furious, I marched up to him, pulling Eden with me.
Dad sighed when he saw me approaching, as if I was about to dive headfirst into battle.
He held up his hand like a shield. “I know what you’re going to say.”
“I didn’t realize you were that multi-talented, Dad. Have you trained as a professional psychic as well now?”
Dad’s silver hair and beard were neatly styled. He was dressed in a sharp charcoal suit with a green shirt and tie.
“No need to backtalk me,” Dad barked. “I’m just as pissed that Wilder fucking Talon is out on that ice. As the Bay Rebels’ coach, I have strongly put in my protests. Swapping Wilder in like this last minute is a dirty trick. I know D’Angelo and Prince well enough to guess the impact it’ll have on them. The dumbasses will give up penalties for fighting and cost us this game.”
“Are you seriously trying to blame our players?” I narrowed my eyes. “If they freak out, it’ll be because they’re facing someone who they never should have to be. Plus, I shouldn’t be standing here…”About to throw up all over his shiny shoes with nerves. “…because of the shock of facing my ex with no warning. What can we do?”
Dad shifted from one foot to the other. “Nothing.”
