Chapter 5

The steaming water cascades down my body as I stand beneath the showerhead.

Fuck, I'm exhausted.

After last night, I barely slept, and that never happens. Girls don't get in my head. Not the way Aspen Anderson did. But of course, life would fuck me and make the hottest chick I've ever seen my rival's little sister. It's just my luck.

Of course, she'd be off-limits.

I run my hands through my thick hair to rinse the suds. I need to get a grip on myself. The way my blood boiled when that dude put his hands on her was out of line, and it can't happen again. Especially around the guys. One day, I'm going to end up following through with one of my threats and then I'll be fucked. But last night, I had to help her. I had no other choice since her friends and Ace fucking bailed on her. I couldn't just let that guy grope her. Not when every part of me wanted to be the one touching her.

Turning off the shower, I step out and grab the towel from the hook on the wall. I wrap it around my waist as I make my way toward the vanity. Wiping my hand through the dense condensation on the mirror, I quickly inspect myself.

Fuck, practice is going to be rough today.

I brush my teeth before heading out to the kitchen, where I have no doubt Jace Stanley is already waiting. That guy is the definition of a morning person. Some days, I regret letting him rent out my spare room. His morning smoothies and complete disregard for the fact that others might actually enjoy sleeping past 6 a.m. are a pain in the ass.

Rounding the corner, I find Stanley at the island in nothing but a pair of boxers decorated with pictures of tiny little slices of pizza scattered all over. His daily smoothie is in front of him, and his phone in his hand as he swipes up and down. Typical.

"Do you ever sleep in?" I ask sarcastically as I grab a coffee mug from the cupboard and head to the coffee pot.

"Who would have the coffee ready for you when you get up, sweetheart, if not for me and my early mornings?" he asks jokingly. Cocking my brow, I look at him over my shoulder, and he winks.

"It's too early for your shit, save it for after practice." Grabbing the pot of coffee, I fill my mug and place it back on the heater. With the first sip, I suddenly find myself thankful that Stanley is up before me.

He's right. I can't remember the last time I had to brew coffee myself. The door to Stanley's room creaks open and a small girl slides out, clearly making her best attempt at the walk of shame as she makes her way toward Stanley at the island. That's when I realize it's Aspen's friend. The one who disappeared last night, leaving Aspen alone. She presses a kiss to his cheek and heads out.

My eyes snap to Stanley's to find him sporting a huge cocky grin. This fucking guy brings home a new girl every night. I have to admit I'm a little impressed. Turning around, I cross the small space and lean against the island on the opposite side of him. I eye him as I lift the steaming mug of black coffee to my lips again.

"What?" he shrugs. "It's the mustache man, I swear. They go nuts for it."

Unable to control myself, I burst out laughing. "There is no way in hell these chicks are letting you hit it because of your pathetic lip lettuce!" I add, placing my mug down on the island in front of me.

"Oh, please!" he snickers, running his thumb and finger across the shape of his tiny mustache. The guys and I love busting his balls about it. He's been trying to grow that shit out since the day I met him three years ago and it hasn't changed. "Trust me, man, they love it. I'd tell you to grow one, but well, we both know you couldn't grow one as nice as mine anyway," he laughs.

"Fuck you, maybe I prefer my smooth baby face," I reply, whipping a small dish towel from the counter at him. He laughs, using his hand to block it, sending it to the floor. "Get the fuck in the shower, you idiot. We have practice."

Rising from his chair, he grabs the towel from the floor at his feet and whips it back at me. I duck to avoid it, sending it into the sink behind me. With his phone in his hand, he clicks the side button to check the time.

"Ah, fuck, you're right. Coach is gonna kick our asses if we're late. No doubt he already knows about us all being at Johnny's last night."

"Oh, I'm sure. There's no hiding shit from him, which means he's going to be extra tough on us today."

"‘Cause he's not tough on us any other day?" Stanley laughs as he makes his way toward the bathroom. I lift the mug to my lips, tossing back the last of my coffee. The heat burns like hell but I know I need the caffeine if I'm going to get through this practice and keep my mind off Aspen.

Coach's whistleechoes around the empty arena. "Again!" he shouts.

The guys groan. I don't blame them. Coach is always hard on us, but today he's being a flat-out dick.

I stop in front of him, sending shavings of ice his way. I slide my glove off and spit my mouth guard into my hand. "Why? We all know the damn drill. We've done it so many times it's literally drilled into our heads at this point!" I snap. "We're all tired. Is running the drill again really worth risking an injury?"

Coach locks his eyes on mine, and by the look in his eyes, I know he's pissed. "Everyone but Stanley and Lexington hit the damn showers." From where he stands in the goalie net, Stanley and I exchange a look.

"Really?Come on, coach."

"Lexington, how many times are we going to have to discuss you staying out all night to drink?" he snaps, pointing his finger at me.

Stanley overhears and skates to us.

"Ah come on coach, it ain't his fault. He didn't even want-" Stone chimes in, his mouth guard sitting half out of his mouth.

"Stanley, no one asked you!" Coach snaps, cutting him off mid-sentence. He spits on the ice. "The season opener is in less than a week, and if the captain isn't taking training seriously, why should the rest of the team?"

"The Knights pulled up to Johnny's, Coach. Even you know Makos had to make an appearance," Stanley expresses.

Coach sighs, his head falling back to rest on his shoulders as he closes his eyes. "Was that little shit Anderson with them?"

"Fucking right he was. Cockly little fuck thinks he's brave showing up at Johnny's," I add, seeing an opening to get coach off our back.

"Nothing happened?"

Stanley and I both shake our heads. Any other night and it would be a different story. But I wasn't risking shit happening with Aspen there.

"All good though, we'll get him on the ice, yah? Alright, one more time, then hit the showers and get your shit together for the Little Leagues banquet. Keep your team in check tonight, Captain. I don't want to see anyone stepping out of line."

Fuck, how did I forget about that? The Little Leagues banquet is an annual event that the Makos attend along with every other team in the league. It's a fundraising event for the Little Leagues hockey teams in the lower Manhattan area and also a night to celebrate the upcoming season.

A whole night of fake people parading around, spending money on shit that none of them actually give a fuck about, but it allows them to show off just how deep their pockets are.

"And next time, Lexington, have my daughter home by a decent hour. None of this 3 a.m. bullshit."

Olivia's late arrival has nothing to do with me, but I'll take the blame.

Coach heads off the ice towards the locker room. The high-pitched sound of his whistle echoes around the arena again. "Let's go, fuckers. The drill isn't going to run itself!"

Skating in a circle, Stanley pops his mouth guard back in and glides his hand back into the oversized goalie glove before banging his stick on the ice.

It was hard enough seeing Ace's stupid face in my spot last night. It took everything in me not to lose my cool and throw him out on the street. Now I have to spend the night with not only him but every other team in the league.

Perfect.

Sticking my mouth guard in my mouth, I pass the puck back and forth to myself as I skate down the ice. I deek around invisible players, side to side across the ice as I push the puck along the way. Stanley readies himself in the net with my approach, and I pull my arm back, setting up to take my shot. But I fake it, sending Stanley to the left side in an attempt to block it, leaving the right side wide open. I swing my stick back again, sending the puck flying right into the net.

He tosses his stick and gloves to the ice.

"Bullshit. You sneaky fuck," he laughs, spitting his mouth guard into his hand.

"Aw, come on. You should've seen that one coming," I reply, picking up his gloves.

Stanley skates in a circle around the back of the net as he slides his helmet off his head. Setting it down on the top of the net, he grabs his water bottle and squirts it in his mouth.

"You bringing Liv tonight?"

Like I have a choice.

Clearing my throat, I reply, "Uh, yeah. I have to pick her up on the way." He tosses the bottle back to the net and picks up his stick as he skates over to me to grab his gloves. "What about you? Swimming solo tonight like usual?"

"Yeah, but I invited Ashley to go out after."

"Who the fuck is Ashley?"

"The chick from last night," he mutters shyly. Stanley has never been one to see a girl more than once.

"Damn, she was that good, huh?" I joke, elbowing him as we make our way toward the locker room.

"Bro. Easily the best fuck of my life. No jokes," he adds with an excited tone. "The way she-"

"You can stop right there. I don't need to hear about your sexcapades," I cut him off mid-sentence.

He laughs, "She said Aspen will be at the banquet with Ace tonight too, eh. So you better keep your eyes to yourself unless you want to piss off Liv with dear old daddy around."

"I don't give a shit about Aspen," I mutter, doing my best to lie.

"Yeah, okay. And I don't jerk off in the shower after every game." I freeze, suddenly confused as to what the fuck he's talking about and why his jerking off has anything to do with Aspen.

"Okay, okay. Forget that. But the point is, Aspen is off-limits and you know it, Cap. No eye-fucking the enemy, especially tonight. I can't handle anymore of Coach's extra drills just because you've pissed him off."

"Yeah yeah, whatever," I add, shoving him into the wall as we make our way off the ice and down the narrow passage to the locker room.

Tonight is going to fucking suck, but at least I have an excuse to see her again.

Aspen.