Page 100 of Pucking Bad Boys

His normal intensity is at an all-time high. Maybe, like in my case, he still dreams of following in Dad’s footsteps by playing for his old team.

There’s no doubt that Mack will be spoiled for choice when it’s time to sign a contract.

I step onto the ice for warmups determined to start the season with the same grit and determination.

Focus on your own game. Mack isn’t thinking about you right now. Show Seattle that there isn’t just one Shayba worthy of their interest.

Those are the famous last words.

Every ounce of my focus disappears the second I spot her.

Talia is sitting right behind our bench. She’s absolutely breathtaking, but that isn’t what makes me bite on my mouthguard so hard that I poke a hole in it.

The woman I’ve been crushing on since the second I laid eyes on her is wearing a number nineteen jersey.

Mack’s number.

Fuck. It doesn’t get more official than that.

As my brother skates toward her, I turn my back to them.

A bitter taste coats my tongue, and I recognize it for what it is. I want Talia, but she already made her choice. And I can’t blame anyone but myself for this.

I can’t be mad at Mack for taking his shot when he had no idea I was into Talia.

My mind goes back to the night we met, when I had a chance and I hesitated.

Things might be hopeless now with her, and I know I can never get back that opportunity to see if we could have been more. She’s my brother’s girl, and no matter how much I want her, that makes her off-limits. But I’m not going to make the same mistake again.

From now on, I’m going to go for what I want and take no prisoners. I want a contract with Seattle, and it’s up to me to make that happen.

It’s with that determination that I take my spot on the starting line. We’ve been practicing with Colsen Thomas as center forward, but he came down with a head cold and Coach Harrison has him benched tonight. So our starting center is Vaughn Heston.

We haven’t played much on the same line, but he’s one of the players with the most potential. It’s up to me and Mack to work with him to the best of our abilities.

Heston wins the first face-off, and in the blink of an eye, Mack and I are charging forward. We flank him as the Portland d-men get in his way, ready to steal the puck.

From what I’ve seen, Heston usually shoots left. But as one defenseman blocks his way, the other one turns to cover Mack.

I’m as free as a bird and Vaughn shoots the puck to me with surgical precision, avoiding our opponent’s stick.

Flying down the ice before Portland’s defense can catch up with me is second nature.

It’s just me and the goalie, and this time I don’t hesitate. I unleash a wrist shot that hits the net’s top left corner as the goalie leaps in the opposite direction. The lamp lights up before there’s even one full minute on the clock, and the arena erupts.

My teammates storm me, slapping my back and congratulating me. My brother hugs me.

“Fuck, yeah.” He grins, pulling me into a hug.

There’s nothing but pride and joy in his eyes. No trace of jealousy or resentment. But as I hug him back, my eyes drift to her.

Talia is jumping and screaming like the rest of the arena. She’s looking at me, and for a second, everything else fades away.

I know that means nothing. She’s a Cove Knight supporter, so she’d celebrate the same way no matter who scored.

A part of me, though, feels like that smile is for me and me only. I want to see her smile like that at me again, and it’s with that goal that I take my place on the ice for puck drop.

Macklin