Page 60 of Ice King
“Oh, yeah. You like that one. Look how many likes and shares,” Beck mentioned.
“No freaking way. One hundred thousand likes? Fifteen thousand shares?” That was insane.
“Keep going. See if you can find the article fromUSA Today.”
While he cut the engine, I continued scrolling until I found what he was talking about on the front page of the sports section.
USA Today:The Twelve Hottest Hockey Players in the AHL
My excitement grew exponentially after seeing my photograph as one of the twelve. I hurriedly read the article, shocked they’d waited until the win last night to print the article.
“Up and coming center standout Ford Kendrick is ready to have his day on the ice. With his combination of artistry and aggression on the ice, and his obvious love of the game, he’s a testament to why shifters should be allowed to play in sports. In our prediction, a playoff win would secure him a seat at the NHL table, exactly where he should be.”
While I read the passage out loud, I heard the change in my tone in hearing the reporter mention me being a shifter. Now the entire world knew I was a beast in disguise.
“Oh, would you please stop it,” Beck said as he yanked the keys from the ignition and threw open the door. “You just had theworld’s best promotion for free and you’re grumbling like some kid who didn’t get his candy bar after dinner.”
“The asshole didn’t need to mention that I’m a shifter.”
He shook his head. “I don’t like the continuous questions about whether we can control our wolves or whether our attributes are unfair to human players, but here’s the thing. You are a shifter. There’s nothing you can do to change that. It’s in our bloodstream and our DNA. It’s past time you stop searching for someone to blame for that atrocity as I’ve heard you call it. Besides, you got your willy whistled last night and you’re still grumpy as fuck.”
“I’m not grumpy!”
“Right. And I have a bridge or two to sell you in North Bend. Take my advice. Embrace your wolf or he will eat you alive.”
“Fuck you.”
“There’s something else floating around social media.”
“Do I want to know?”
“A few bunnies are claiming you’re off the most eligible bachelor list. Maybe that’ll be good for your career.”
“You’re talking about Georgia taking up for us?”
“Let’s face it, dude. She was taking up for you. At least now she knows the truth about your big, fat cock. Right?”
He climbed out so I couldn’t make an immediate retort. Or kick his ass.
But I spouted off anyway. “That’s basically what Pops told me. And I am not grumpy!” Okay, so shifting the other night hadbrought some relief to both physical and mental agony but doing so hadn’t changed facts.
Being a shifter brought both fear and a determination in humans to keep us on a chain or in a cage.
Plus, I had every reason to be grumpy, including finding it nearly impossible to control my urges. I sat where I was as a couple of other vehicles pulled in. The fear must be real considering the parking lot was full.
Almost as soon as I climbed out, a couple of the sawmill’s customers headed in my direction. They both already had beers in their hands. Evidently, the meeting included several counties since both their homes and businesses were almost an hour away.
“Ken. Mike. Good to see you,” I said, already holding out my hand.
“I was hoping to run into you today,” Ken said as he lifted his beer. “Quite a game last night. Took my sons to see you. One of them is now insistent on becoming a hockey player.”
“If he’s serious, you might want to talk to Cole before you leave. He’s agreed to be one of the hockey camp counselors this summer.”
“That’s perfect. Thanks for the heads up.”
I waved to a couple of other folks from town as they headed in, their hands full with whatever potluck food they’d brought with them. The fragrance of grilled chicken had already wafted from the multiple grills behind the building. As soon as I took a deep whiff, Mike shook his head.
“Any excuse for a party. Been a while. Kind of missed the regularly scheduled meetings.” Mike sighed. “A real shame the reason isn’t more benign.”
