16. Hadley

sixteen

Hadley

I 'm not sure what has gotten into the team. Even Teagan has spent more time in the penalty box than usual. Unfortunately, the league commissioner is here tonight, sitting with Colt, Jensen, and Beck in the stands, commenting on each fight.

"Here." I hand Cassi a tray of nachos before working my way to my seat on the other side of Britt. "What did I miss?" All the fighting was making me anxious, so I hit the concession stand, looking for something to snack on.

I notice Colt, Jensen, and Beck are no longer in their seats. They must have gone to the locker room—I'd hate to hear the tongue-lashing they give the team. From the look on the commissioner's face, he's not enjoying the game.

A loud thud against the plexiglass in front of me draws my attention. It's number sixty-nine from the other team smashed up against the glass with Caspian on the other side, pinning him in place. The crowd cheers, making it impossible to hear anything, but from the looks of it, Caspian is in a heated conversation with number sixty-nine.

The horn sounds announcing the end of the second period.

"Looks like you're going to be busy tonight after the game." Cassi nudges Britt's side, causing Britt to blush.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Britt crosses her arms over her chest, but the hint of a smile plays across her mouth.

"Oh, come on, don't play coy with me. Everyone knows how horny hockey players get when there's a lot of fighting during the game. By the way, Torin, Talen, and Tarek have been in and out of the penalty box all night—you won't be able to walk straight for a week." Cassi laughs while Britt smacks her shoulder.

If what Cassi said is true, it looks like I'm going to have a long, pleasurable night ahead of me, too. I smile at the thought.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and notice it's a text from Teagan, which is weird since she should be in the locker room preparing for the final period.

"It's a text from Teagan. She wants me to get Gemma and Heidi and meet her in front of the referee lounge." I glance at Britt and Cassi, who each have their phones. "What does her text to you say?" I ask, searching their faces for any clue as to what's going on.

"She wants me to set up a press conference after the game, which isn't unusual, but she wants me to make sure all the reporters and media members are invited." Britt shrugs, focusing her gaze on Cassi.

"Mine's a little more detailed than that." Cassi puts her phone back in her purse. "I better get started on it." She weaves her way through the crowd of people on their way to the concession stands for the period break. She stops to talk to both Gemma and Heidi, sending them our way.

"What's going on?" Gemma asks when she reaches us. Heidi is right behind her, with the same confused look on her face.

"I'm not sure. All I know is that Teagan wants to meet us at the referee lounge immediately." Teagan isn't one for dramatics, so her cryptic messages are a little unnerving, but I don't want to scare Gemma or Heidi, so I add. "I'm sure it's fine.

Little did I know how wrong I was.