Chapter Twelve

Theo

S haking my head, I laugh as I search for my longtime friend and former teammate. We may play for opposing teams now, but I must admit, that was a kickass goal that he just scored. Glancing around the ice, I see that he has skated towards the far end and appears to be flirting with one of the fans. Typical. Dude is a total player and can’t resist teasing the puck bunnies in the crowd. As I come up behind him, I nudge his shoulder. “Nice goal, man!”

A look crosses his face briefly, almost too quick, but I manage to catch it. Hesitation. I quirk my brow at him in amusement before turning to see what beauty has caught his attention tonight, and am jolted with awareness as shock courses through me. Danica. She’s here. Our eyes connect and I am lost in a sea of green tranquility. Fuck me .

My eyes roam over her sexy body. God, she is gorgeous. Riotous red curls cascading under her knit cap and around her shoulders, freckles even more prominent than when I had traced them with my tongue. Luscious, pouty lips and piercing green eyes. She is exactly as I remember, and yet, so different. Her body has matured over the years we have spent apart, the curves of her chest and hips more prominent, indicating that she is all woman now, no traces of the youthful innocence from high school remain. I can see that, even through the jersey she’s wearing.

I have watched her from a distance for years, in the shadows, or in the crowd of cheering fans at her competitions, but this is the first time I have seen her up close in person since we broke up. God, I fucking miss her. She takes my breath away. I can’t even be mad at the fact that she is wearing Seb’s fucking jersey. The only jersey I want to see her in is my own, but I gave up the right to ask that of her a long time ago. She’s really here. I can’t fucking believe it. From what Seb and her brother, Caleb, have told me, she has refused to go to any hockey event for years. Not since our relationship ended abruptly.

Movement from the corner of my eye draws my attention away from her surprised face, and my eyes narrow as I notice an arm wrapped around her, squeezing her shoulder, and pulling her into the side of another man. He pulls her close, kissing the side of her head and I see red. I can’t fucking stand seeing another man holding my girl.

Turning abruptly, I skate back into the action, not even bothering to acknowledge the fact that I knock into Seb as I pass by. Rage courses through me, filling my veins and fueling my movements as I push forward, crashing another player into the boards and taking control of the puck.

The score is tied 2-2 and I am filled with a restless energy as I watch from the sin bin. This is my third time being sent to the penalty box tonight, but I just don’t give a flying fuck. Ever since I saw Danica, my Danica , in the arms of that fuckface my whole world turned red and I just can’t seem to get out of my own damn head. I have started two fights and jumped in on a third.

Seb is gonna be sporting a nasty black eye later, thanks to me, and I grimace. I probably should apologize for being such a dick. The crowd has been loving it though, not only having our teams square off against one another, but having two former teammates and best friends fighting as well. Makes for an entertaining match for them at least.

I’m given the signal and quickly jump the boards and make my way back into the game. There is no fucking way I am letting Seb win this one. Not tonight. He has some fucking explaining to do, but first he gets to be the lucky one to take my shit out on the ice tonight. Without hesitation, I make my way quickly to the center of the commotion, shoving one of Seb’s teammates roughly into the boards as I steal the puck and quickly make my way down the rink.

Years of practice allows my movements to be smooth and steady as I take aim and shoot the puck towards the goal. I watch as their goalie makes a wide dive but the biscuit goes flying just past his outstretched hand and into the net. Buzzer sounding, our goal sends the fans to their feet, wild cheers celebrating our win as the final seconds of the game count down.

Not bothering to glance back, I head past my team who are celebrating with wild antics, thrilling their fans, and exit the rink to head to the locker room. Movements jerky with my anger, I make quick work of throwing off my gear and heading to the showers, pausing only long enough to grab my phone and shoot Seb a quick text.