32

"All I think about is who is next to ya."

Asher

The sight of Josh's lovesickness made me queasy, but Sawyer wearing his jersey was even worse. We hadn't spoken since the first period, and the third had just begun. I fixed my gaze on the ice, but my head wasn't even in the building. Sawyer was distracting me with her mere presence, but I vowed to seem unbothered. I folded my arms across my chest and sat brooding.

A gentle touch on my shoulder startled me. I turned to see Gracie standing with a wide grin. Before I could say anything, she wrapped her arms around my neck, squeezing me into a tight embrace. I couldn't help but smile, wrapping my arms around her.

"Hey there, bug." I said. "This is a pleasant surprise."

"She wanted to watch Josh play."

His voice tore the smile from my face. My stomach sank as I glanced over at my father. I stood up, glaring at him with a clenched jaw.

"Gracie, sit down and I'll get you something to eat." I said, looking for any excuse to avoid being in his presence.

I slipped away from the stands; my footsteps were heavy with unresolved emotions. I was having a great day until he showed up and ruined it. He always had time for Josh's games, but never for my performances. He has never bothered to come and watch us rehearse. I was in self-destruct mode and found myself in the dimly lit backstage area of the arena. I paced back and forth as I reached for my pack of cigarettes. With trembling hands, I pulled one out and placed it between my lips. The flick of the lighter echoed in the tense silence as I took a deep drag. I leaned against the wall, and smoke billowed around me, yet the calming effect of the nicotine did not extinguish my rage.

I observed the game's chaotic scene on the ice, my mind consumed by anything other than the sport. Lost in my thoughts, I missed the game's end and the players' return to the locker room. Josh emerged; his face flushed from exertion.

"Why are you here?"

"Thought I'd stretch my legs." I replied. "The game got boring halfway through the first period."

"Real funny."

I squashed my cigarette against the top of the trash before discarding it.

"Sawyer was wearing your jersey."

"I know. I gave it to her."

I folded my arms across my chest, attempting to appear unbothered.

"It's almost like you're trying to claim her."

He rolled his eyes.

"Don't be ridiculous, Asher." He said. "You know it's tradition, or did you forget all the times Ava came sneaking out of your room the next morning in yours?"

My jaw almost snapped at how tight it got at the mention of my past. Talk about a low blow, brother. I can be just as petty.

I stepped forward and squared my shoulders before a sly smirk formed on my face.

"I think it's great she's wearing that jersey," I said. "But, don't forget, brother, she's wearing my last name too."

I hit a nerve. He rolled his eyes and opened his mouth for a childish retort until Dad's voice echoed through the narrow hallway. Our heads turned to him.

"I thought I told you the scouts were here."

It was as if I was invisible.

"I know, and I played my best." Josh said.

"They're still wary about you after the stunt you and your brother pulled." He said, acknowledging my existence. "You should have done better than your best."

I tried to bite my tongue, but it was impossible where my father was concerned.

"You're overreacting."

His forehead's protruding vein would have been comical if not for me.

"Your college aspirations may have faded, but your brother's hasn't."

"Did he tell you that?"

His expression hardened, but he didn't react.

"Let's go talk somewhere else, Josh."

I shook my head in disbelief at my father's pathetic display of parenting.

Two sharply dressed individuals approached, their voices piquing my attention. Each of them held a clipboard. Could they be any more cliche? I took a deep breath before approaching them.

"Excuse me." I said, drawing them out of their discussion. "I'm-"

"Asher Hart." The tallest of the pair spoke. "We know who you are."

"How?"

"We scouted you." The other said. "It's a shame about the injury. Your talents impressed us."

"I couldn't have cared less about hockey." My eyes widened at the word vomit, but I attempted to turn it around. "Josh is the one with the passion."

"That stunt you both pulled at the fundraiser did not leave a lasting impression."

I swallowed hard.

"That was my fault." I said, as they eyed me with skepticism. "Look, I'm trouble. There's no other way to explain the guy I am, but Josh is a leader and he's a damn talented hockey player. Are you going to let a talent slip through your fingers because of someone else's slip-up?"

The scouts exchanged glances; their hardened expressions softened.

"I can't change what happened," I said. "But please don't let my mistake cost my brother his future. Come to one more game and make your decision, then."

There was a moment of silence as they considered before the shorter one nodded.

"We'll take your words into consideration, Mr. Hart."

As I watched them walk away, I sighed in relief. I got the cheese-covered pretzel Gracie wanted and went back to my mom. She always waited for Josh, and it appeared Ms. Whitlock and Sawyer joined her.

"I think I'm going to take Gracie home." My mom said. "We'll pick up dinner on the way."

I nodded my head as they left with Sawyer's mom. Leaving me alone with her. Elsie and Ava seized the chance to approach. Their gazes were sharp and serious, but they directed them toward Sawyer. Ava tilted her head, eyeing the jersey with a smirk on her lips. I could tell what she was thinking.

"Nice jersey." She said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Don't start, Ava." I warned.

Her eyes turned to me. The eyes that once captivated me now provoked fury.

"Does she not know?" Elsie questioned with a sickening grin, as if Sawyer wasn't present.

"Know what?" Sawyer asked.

Elsie took a step closer, her eyes narrowing as she inspected the jersey. She smirked triumphantly as her eyes met Sawyer's.

"It used to look better on me."

Ensue chaos.

Sawyer's eyes widened, searching Elsie's face for a hint of deception, but she wouldn't find any.

"You dated Josh?" She choked out before facing me. "Is that true?"

I opened and closed my mouth, unable to fathom an explanation. She took my silence as an answer and marched out the double doors behind the pair of troublemakers. I glared at them and raised my arms. It's as if they were reenacting a scene of Mean Girls.

"I hope you're both happy with yourselves." I said, scrunching my nose in disgust before following Sawyer.

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