Chapter 15

Mo

Game day.

The Calgary Dinos have already begun warm-up by the time our team files out of the bus, the McMahon Stadium bustling with excited university students. Nervous energy fills the air as the boys run out onto the field, the familiar buzz of adrenalin running through my body.

I expected to feel a sense of longing watching the players run onto the field, but all I feel is anticipation for the game ahead. The team has worked hard up to this point, so I'm curious to see how we hold up against one of our toughest competitors.

A shout catches my attention, and I turn to see none other than my sister and Cody waving at me from the bleachers. Shaking my head, a smile takes over my face as I walk over to the concrete barrier.

"You stole my car to drive to Wes and Nico's first game?"

Stella grins, leaning over the railing separating us, "We are here to support you as well, silly. Mom would never have missed your first game as a coach."

A flood of emotions crashes through me and I have to grind my teeth to stop them from breaching the surface. Carefully arranging my features, I give nothing away as I reach up and flick her nose.

"You get to sit in the back on the way home."

"TRIP!"

Orange lacrosse gear comes flying by me as Wes jumps up onto the concrete barrier and swings his leg over the railing. I watch, unimpressed, as the team captain risks life and limb to scoop up his girlfriend in a hug.

"You didn't tell me you were coming!"

Before she can answer, Wes sweeps her into the air and plants his lips on hers. Nearby spectators start to cheer while I observe the scene with pinched brows.

Stella slaps my arm, "Enough with the judgmental looks. He"s happy to see her."

"I'm more concerned about my captain using up his stamina before the game even starts."

Cody snorts and I shoot him a look, "Don't think you're off the hook, Ellsworth. I'm still pissed about the bus situation."

Stella huffs, crossing her arms, "You'll get over it. We needed a big car to transport everyone. I wasn't planning on squishing everyone in the back of my Jeep."

I raise a brow, "I'm finding it hard to believe three people broke your vehicle's capacity."

She mimics my expression, "There were four people. Lacey joined the road trip as well."

I frown, "Who the hell is-

"Mi amor?" Nico materializes beside me, scrutinizing the crowd, "Where's my girl at?"

"Surprise!" Fair skin and dark curly hair appear beside Stella, the girl's youthful beauty causing fellow spectators to glance our way. Nico's face breaks into a huge grin as he jumps up to plant a kiss on her cheek.

"Best surprise ever."

The display of affection has my skin itching, so I give Stella and Cody one last wave before I turn and walk back to the field.

"Shoot Hunter!"

My shout disappears among the rowdy crowd, the frantic cheering growing more intense as the stadium clock counts down the last few minutes of the game.

Hunter ducks, dodging the defensemen blocking his path, and hurls the ball toward the net – making a perfect arch over the goalie's outstretched hand. The crowd explodes, orange and black banners waving excitedly while a few groans echo from the Dino section.

The scoreboard flashes, bringing the Tigers up to 12 points and tying up the game. There's only two minutes left on the clock, and both teams look beat. I signal to the ref, calling for a quick timeout to give these boys a much-needed pep talk.

"Alright Tigers, there's only two minutes left in this game, so now is the time for all that training to pay off. Tell me, have you been waking up at 5AM every morning just to lose 120 seconds from the end?"

I scan the group huddled around me, their sweat-streaked faces looking back at me with weary determination.

"No, you didn't. Just like you haven't been working your asses off just to go home and tell your friends and family you choked during the last two minutes."

Making eye contact with each player wearing an orange jersey, I give them a moment to let my words sink in.

"Now, get back on that field and score one more goddamn goal. Tigers on three." I initiate the count down and the team lets out a convincing roar before running back onto the field.

On the other side of the field, the Dinos let out a similar chant and fall back into their positions. At this stage in the game, it comes down to which shot the goalie saves and which one he misses.

Glancing at our net, I watch Nico saunter confidently towards the crease, the ease in his posture a complete contrast to every other player on the field. He positions himself at the net, his stance relaxed yet ready.

I hold my breath as the whistle blows, orange and red players darting around the field in a fight for the ball. One of the Calgary forwards intercepts a pass and darts forward, deking out both our defensemen and making a beautiful shot at the net. Nico throws his body to the side, stick raised as the ball goes hurtling towards the net.

A collective sigh goes through the stadium as he catches it and tosses it back to Preston running up the side.

"Pass to Wes!" I shout, watching the rookie execute a smooth pass to Wes who is sprinting up the centre field quickly. He catches it and swivels, his stick aimed at the Dino's net when two defensemen close in on him.

Wes glances around, adjusting his trajectory to pass the ball off to Millard, who just became open thanks to the defence's focus on the captain.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

The crowd chants the countdown as Wes passes Millard the ball, the flash of panic on the rookie's face making me groan.

"Four! Three!"

Adrenalin pumps through my body as I watch Millard turn and throw the ball towards the net, the awkward angle making it drop low just as the Dino goalie lunges for it. The ball bounces into the net as the buzzer sounds, ending the game with a goal.

We won.

Nico

I am ready to let loose.

Lifting the tray high above my head, I weave through the crowded bar stools and tables to reach the exuberant group occupying the back half of the hotel bar. What started as a team celebration quickly morphed into an open invitation when Wes insisted his girlfriend, sister, Cody, and Stella were allowed to join.

I spot a few Calgary players lingering near the edge of the group, their collared shirts a vast contrast to the casual wear the rest of our team is sporting.

"Tequila coming in hot!"

Everyone cheers as I place the tray on the table and the shots disappear immediately. Quickly grabbing the last two, I wander over to my co-captain, who looks like he's having the time of his life nuzzling the fuck out of his girlfriend's neck.

"You know there's a bed back at the hotel." Grinning, I make myself comfortable on the barstool across from them.

Trip blushes, "We"re probably going to head out soon."

Wes lifts his head and gives me a dimpled grin, "We"re leaving now."

"If you're abandoning me, I'm keeping the tequila." Tossing back a shot, I hold up the other one in salute, "Get out of here, lovebirds. Cody and Stella left to fuck hours ago."

Trip's cheeks redden while Wes laughs, "I'm surprised Mo wasn't right behind them. He's been talking up that brunette all evening."

Discomfort settles on me as I whip around, scanning the bar for Mo's distinguishable build.

"Now, this I have to see."

Wes clears his throat, "Red tank top next to the pool table."

Turning my head, it takes less than ten seconds for me to zero in on the perpetrator. The woman"s low-cut tank top makes her breasts look ginormous as they bulge against the cheap material of her top. She's rocking bright red lipstick and jeans so tight I'm surprised she was able to get them on in the first place.

She's a total babe but I hate her.

Turning my attention to the alpha lurking in the corner, I sigh with content. Now there's a man who knows how to dress for a night out.

Blue polo shirt. Cashmere dress pants. Muscles outlined at every corner.

He's my personal charcuterie board.

"Lace made it back to the hotel okay." Interrupting my spiralling thoughts, Wes glances at his phone and quickly types out a response.

"She should have come out tonight. We could have found her a boy to play with."

I'm so busy checking out the man I'd very much like to play with that I almost miss the frown flickering across Wes' face.

"I don't think she's ready for that."

I sigh, turning to look at him, "You don't always have to be her big brother, you know. Sometimes you can just be her friend. She needs more friends right now."

"I know." He sighs, raking a hand through his hair, "But it's not something I can just turn off. My job as an older brother is to protect her."

Trip takes his hand and whispers something in his ear. He smiles, the tension melting from his features.

"But I guess Lacey is lucky enough to have two brothers looking out for her."

I grin, "Damn right. And one of them can give her the best BJ tips."

Wes looks at me in horror, "Tell me you're joking."

"I've been told my skills are exceptional."

Trip laughs, "Maybe you should give me some pointers."

"No. Nope. Not okay." Wes splutters, his whole body shuddering, "Both of you. Stop it."

Trip giggles, her grey eyes glowing in the bar's dim lighting, "Don't worry, Wes, we'll keep it on the down low. I'll text Nico for the details later."

I throw her a wink, "Hit me up anytime."

Wes groans, "That's it. I'm leaving."

Trip rolls her eyes and gives her boyfriend a kiss before pushing off her chair.

"Always so dramatic."

He grins, catching her hand and pulling her back in for another kiss. As always, their innocent kiss soon turns raunchy, so I clear my throat with a grimace.

"Leave and go be nasty elsewhere."

They break apart, breathing heavily. Wes turns and flashes me a grin.

"What are you going to do once we're gone?"

I toss back the second shot, savouring the burn as my eyes find their way back to the pool table.

"Find myself a man to play with."