28. Slade

The roarof the crowd fills the arena as I take my position at center ice, the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through me. The energy is high tonight, the sea of black and white jerseys roiling with anticipation. The giant jumbotron overhead flashes with highlights from our last victory against the Detroit Wolves.

It's a crucial game against our divisional rivals, the St. Louis Warriors, and the stakes couldn't be higher. My eyes scan the ice, taking in the positions of my teammates and opponents. Lukas is on my right wing, energetically bouncing on his skates. His blond flow peeks out from under his helmet. On defense, I spot Ryan's hulking frame, his intense brown eyes laser-focused.

Lukas and Ryan seem to be avoiding each other's gazes. It's been like this for weeks now, ever since Emma decided to continue seeing all of us. Lukas and Ryan play nice for Emma's sake, but I can tell their old rivalry is simmering just below the surface, ready to boil over. As captain, I know I need to sit them down and clear the air.

But for now, I push those thoughts aside. Game time.

The ref's whistle cries out, and the puck drops. Sticks clash, and skates slash against ice as the battle begins. I lose myself in the flow, my body moving on pure instinct as I fight for possession. The puck skitters to the boards, and I throw a hip check, pinning my opponent and kicking the rubber free to Lukas.

"Slick pass, captain!" Lukas shouts as he snags the puck and dekes around a defenseman. His green eyes flash to mine, lips quirking in a smirk. Even in the heat of competition, Lukas oozes swagger.

The dude could charm the panties off a nun. I can't help but flash a grin back.

Puck's on my stick now as I streak up the wing. I cut to the middle, scanning for an opening. Two hulking D-men converge on me. I don't see Ryan providing backup like usual. A glance reveals him and Lukas tangled up behind the play, facemasks pressed together as they exchange heated words.

Shit.

Gritting my teeth, I barrel ahead solo, trying to split the defense with a burst of speed. But I'm a half-step too slow on the pivot. Caught with my head down.

The Warriors defensemen sandwich me with vicious hip checks from both sides.

The boards rattle with a sickening crunch as I crumple to the ice.

Fiery pain explodes through my shoulder.

I lay there gasping, stick clattering away. The crowd goes eerily silent, holding its collective breath. Distantly, I hear the ref's whistle and the clomping of the trainers' sneakers as they rush out to me.

Fighting through the haze of agony, one thought penetrates my mind with stark clarity—how badly I've failed my team tonight.

Emma's pale, worried face swims in my vision as they help me off the ice, my arm dangling limply. I look away, shame burning in my gut.

Some captain I am, letting this drama with Emma come between us, messing with our team chemistry. Lukas and Ryan acting like high school brats fighting over the pretty cheerleader.

And now I'm injured, out of the game when the boys need me most.

The medical bay off our locker room always makes me feel like I'm going to receive bad news. The antiseptic smell burns my nostrils as our team doc, Grace Nguyen, prods at my shoulder, sending fresh jolts of pain radiating down my arm.

I grit my teeth, trying to breathe through it.

"Looks like a separated shoulder," Dr. Grace says grimly, pushing her glasses on top of her head. "You'll need imaging to confirm, but on the bright side, it doesn't look like a particularly bad one."

I wince. "Level with me, doc. How long am I going to be out?"

Grace purses her lips, thinking. "If you're lucky, a week, no more than two. If it's worse than I think, it could be weeks."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Even the best-case scenario is too long for me. This is supposed to be our comeback year. How the fuck are we going to make that happen when the team captain is sidelined?

I nod bleakly at Dr. Grace's prognosis, my mind already racing ahead to how I'm going to whip the team into shape while I'm out of commission. As she helps me ease my jersey back on over my aching shoulder, I hear raised voices filtering in from the locker room. Looks like the post-game debrief is already in full swing.

We lost, of course.

I stride out of the medical bay and the voices cut off abruptly as all eyes turn to me.

"Well, fellas, you'll have to survive without me for a week or two," I announce, forcing a wry smile. "Separated shoulder."

A groan goes up from the team. Lukas and Ryan are studiously avoiding each other's gazes, guilt written all over their faces.

"But that's not why we lost tonight," I continue, my voice hardening. I sweep my gaze around the room, taking in each of my teammates' faces. "Tonight, we weren't playing as a team. And that's on me as your captain. I've let some personal shit get in the way of what's best for this squad."

I zero in on Lukas and Ryan, who are still refusing to look at each other. "You two especially. This beef you have going on, it ends now. The minute you step into this locker room, the only thing that matters is the logo on your chest."

Lukas opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off with a slash of my hand.

"I'm not finished. This team, this family, is bigger than any one of us. Bigger than me, bigger than whatever petty grudges you're holding onto. So you either figure out a way to work together, or you take it up with Coach Daniels," I finish, my voice steely. "Because believe me, he won't hesitate to trade your asses out of here if you can't get your shit together for the good of the team."

Lukas and Ryan glance at each other, a flash of understanding passing between them. They both give me a tight nod.

"You're right, captain," Ryan says. "It won't happen again."

"We hear you, Slade," Lukas chimes in, his usual smirk subdued. "Promise."

I study them for a long moment, seeing the sincerity in their faces. "Good. See that you keep that promise."

With that, I dismiss the team to hit the showers. As the locker room clears out, Lukas and Ryan approach me, contrite expressions on their faces.

"Slade, man, I'm sorry," Lukas says, running a hand through his damp blond hair. "I let my ego get in the way out there. It won't happen again."

Ryan nods, his dark eyes serious. "Same here, captain. We both fucked up tonight. Let our personal shit affect the team. It's not right."

I study them both, seeing the genuine remorse in their faces. With a sigh, I clap them each on the shoulder with my good arm.

"I appreciate that, you guys. But it's one thing to hear you say that you're not going to let it affect the team, and it's something else entirely to finally fucking deal with it. The two of you need to get together, alone, outside of work, and figure your shit out. The Madison shit, the Emma shit, whatever else might be going on with you."

Lukas winces, and Ryan is stony-faced. Clearly, both of them hate this idea.

"Yeah, you're right," Ryan says gruffly. "We'll talk it out. Away from here."

Lukas nods, his jaw tight. "For the team. And for Emma. She doesn't deserve to be in the middle of our bullshit."

"Exactly," I say firmly. "You two are my brothers. My family. I love you both like blood. So I need you to fix this, for all our sakes."

Emotion flickers across both their faces at my words. Ryan clears his throat. "Love you too, man. You can count on us."

"What he said," Lukas agrees, the hint of a smirk returning. "Anything for you, oh wise and glorious captain."

I snort, shoving him lightly. "Get the fuck out of here, both of you. And send Emma in on your way out, will you?"

Emma peeks her head in a short while later after the locker room has totally cleared out, concern etched on her beautiful face. "Hey, how are you doing? The guys told me what happened."

She hurries over, those captivating blue eyes wide with worry. I feel a twinge in my chest that has nothing to do with my busted shoulder. Things have been amazing between us lately. She's been spending at least one night a week over at the loft, and when we travel for games, we all share a room, unofficially.

But my feelings for Emma have been complicating my responsibilities to the team. Tonight proves that.

"I'll live," I assure her with a lopsided grin, trying not to wince as I adjust the sling. "Just a separated shoulder. I'll be back out there before you know it."

Emma bites her plump lower lip, unconvinced. "Still, I hate seeing you hurt like this. And I can't help but feel like this has something to do with me."

I reach out with my good arm and pull Emma close, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. "Hey, none of that. This isn't on you, understand? The only thing you're guilty of is being so damn irresistible that you've got three NHL players and one of their coaches acting like lovesick fools."

Emma lets out a watery chuckle against my chest. "Maybe I should institute a no fighting over me at work clause."

"Not a bad idea," I agree wryly, tilting her chin up so I can look into those captivating eyes. "But for the record, I don't regret a single second with you, Emma. No matter what happens out on the ice."

Her gaze softens, and she leans up to press a gentle kiss to my lips. "I don't either. You guys…this…it means everything to me. I just hate to see you hurting."

I smile at Emma reassuringly. "I'll be fine, sweetheart. This is just a temporary setback. The important thing is that the boys get their heads on straight and remember what really matters—the team."

Emma nods, worry still clouding her eyes. "I know. I just wish there was something I could do to help."

An idea starts to form in my mind. A way to bring us all closer together.

"Actually, there is something," I say slowly, my hand trailing down Emma's back to rest possessively on the swell of her hip. "What do you say to having a little private get-together at the loft on Thursday, since we have a couple of days off? Just the five of us—you, me, Lukas, Alex…and Ryan. We can talk things out, reconnect…"

I let my voice trail off suggestively, and Emma's eyes darken with desire at my suggestion. She presses closer, mindful of my injured shoulder.

"I think that's an excellent idea," she murmurs, her voice going husky. "A chance for all of us to talk outside of work and smooth things over." Her fingers play with the hem of my jersey. "In more ways than one."

I grin at her, loving the way Emma's mind works. "My thoughts exactly, sweetheart. We'll make a whole night of it—dinner, drinks…dessert." I squeeze her hip for emphasis.

Emma's tongue darting out to wet her lips. "I like the sound of that. Especially the dessert part."

"Oh, I'll make sure you get your fill," I promise wickedly. "Of everything on the menu."

She laughs, the sound wrapping around me like a warm caress. "I'll hold you to that, Harrison."

My good hand slides down to squeeze her perfect ass. "You'd better, Collins. I'm a man who keeps his word."

Emma's fingers trail teasingly along the waistband of my compression shorts. "Mmm, and what deliciously wicked promises are you making me now?"

I groan at her touch, my body instantly responding. "The kind that involve you naked and writhing in pleasure all night long," I murmur against her ear. "With four sets of hands and mouths worshiping this sexy little body until you can't remember your own name."

"Fuck, Slade," Emma whimpers, pressing her thighs together. "Keep talking like that, and we won't make it back to the loft."

"Maybe I don't want to wait," I growl, nipping at Emma's earlobe, starting to harden already. Fuck, this woman is an aphrodisiac. "Maybe I want to taste you right here, right now." My good hand slides between her thighs, cupping her heat through her jeans. "Get my mouth on this sweet pussy until you're shaking and coming apart on my tongue."

Emma lets out a shuddering moan, her hips rocking against my hand. "God, Slade, that sounds so good, but…" Her eyes connect with mine, glazed over with desire and sparking with something naughty. "You're injured."

Emma sinks gracefully to her knees in front of me, her fingers deftly undoing my compression shorts. My cock springs free, already rock hard and straining for her touch.

"Let me make you feel good, Slade," she says, wrapping her small hand around my thick shaft. "Let me take care of you for once."

I groan as Emma starts to stroke me with slow, deliberate pumps of her fist. "Fuck, sweetheart, that feels incredible."

She smiles up at me through her lashes before leaning in to lick a bead of pre-cum from the swollen head of my cock. I inhale sharply at the sensation of her hot little tongue.

"You taste so good," Emma murmurs appreciatively. "I love having this big dick in my mouth."

Any reply I might have made dissolves into a low moan as Emma wraps her soft lips around the head of my cock and starts to suck, her velvety tongue swirling and teasing. Holy fuck, her mouth feels unbelievable.

My good hand tangles in her silky hair, guiding her as she takes more of my shaft into the slick heat of her mouth. She sucks harder, blue eyes flashing wickedly up at me.

"Fuck, just like that, baby," I groan, fighting the urge to thrust into her face and choke her with my cock.

Emma hums around my dick, the vibrations making my balls tighten. She sets a steady rhythm, bobbing her head and swallowing me down, taking a little more each time.

I groan and tilt my head back as Emma's hand cups my balls, gently massaging them as she sucks my cock with increasing vigor. The dual sensations are mind-blowing, pushing me rapidly towards the edge.

"Em, baby, I'm getting close," I warn her, my abs clenching as I fight off my impending orgasm. I don't want this to end yet. "You keep that up and I'm gonna explode."

Emma releases my shaft from her mouth, still pumping me with her fist. "Then come on my face, Slade," she encourages huskily. "I want to wear your seed like a badge of honor."

"Fuck," I curse, my hips flexing involuntarily. Emma's dirty talk never fails to undo me.

She smiles seductively up at me before engulfing my cock in her hot mouth once more, sucking me deep. Her hand speeds up on my shaft as she bobs on the head, her tongue flicking wickedly.

"Oh fuck, Em, just like that," I groan, my good hand fisting in her hair. "Suck that dick, baby. I'm gonna paint that pretty face."

A few more hard sucks and I'm coming undone. Emma releases me from her mouth and aims my spurting cock at her face.

I groan at the intensely erotic sight of my seed striping Emma's flushed cheeks and parted lips. She looks thoroughly wrecked and sexy as hell wearing my release like makeup.

Emma licks her lips, tasting my seed as she gazes up at me with a satisfied smile. "Mmm, you taste amazing," she says before standing up and pressing her wet face against mine in a filthy kiss. I groan into her mouth, my tongue chasing the flavor of my own release.

"Fuck, you are so sexy," I murmur appreciatively, my good hand gripping her hip. "Such a good girl, taking care of me like that."

"It was my pleasure," Emma assures me with a wicked grin. "I love making you feel good, Slade."

"Oh, I definitely felt good, sweetheart," I chuckle, tucking my softening cock back into my shorts before pulling her close again, ignoring the dull throb in my injured shoulder. "But don't think I've forgotten about my promise."

"Don't worry, I'm counting on you to keep that promise," Emma assures me with a saucy wink, wiping the last of my seed from her face with her fingers and licking them clean. "I can't wait to have you and the guys worship my body all night long."

I can't wait for that, too, I think. Hopefully, it's going to work out exactly the way I'm planning.