Page 70 of Dark Tangled Truths
“Axeman!” Ivan hangs off Axel’s shoulder and looks back at me. “Pretty sure my pre-frosh is going to bed lonely tonight. He’s got a chick.”
Axel shakes his head at Ivan. He’s as tall as me, a little more filled out. He and Ivan have an interesting relationship on and off the ice. “Ignore Ivan. He’s got a number to hit this year. I’d rather have quality than quantity any day, so keep your girl.”
I smirk but notice Jackson watching me warily.
Axel nods to Jackson. “You two are from the same area, right?”
Jackson steps up. “Damon and I go way back. Played on the peewee league together.”
His tone isn’t great, but I don’t like the guy anyway. It must show on my face.
Ivan laughs. “Keep the competition to the ice, boys.”
Today was a bunch of drills. Putting us through the paces to see what we’re made of. It was intense, but not competitive. Yet. Coach would mention corrections and show us new techniques to see if we could take instruction.
I’m sure tomorrow he’ll have us run the same drills but watch us to see if we retained the training.
Axel looks between Jackson and me. “Just remember Coach is looking for guys who get along. So if you got beef with each other, get over it if you both want to play here.”
“You two are hot shit, so don’t be surprised to get offers.” Ivan walks backwards toward the door. “Let’s head out. The others will be along eventually. We can’t stay out late tonight anyway. I need time before Wilder and his crew take all the girls.”
“Sure.” Axel leads the way, opening the door for us.
It’s after dinner, so the sun has set. I glance over at Jackson, but he’s checking out the buildings. Is he really considering this as an option? If so, can I get over our beef? Not if he’s trying to intimidate or come after Evan. But I guess I can wait for him to be proven guilty before trying to ruin the guy’s life.
“We got curfew most nights as freshmen,” Ivan says. “Once you get past freshman year, they figure you’ve got your shit together, but the team will hold you accountable.”
“Curfew on a Saturday night?” Jackson chuckles. “Do you have to be in bed by a certain time?”
Axel glances at him. “We’re here to learn and to skate. If you have a problem with rules, this program ain’t going to work for you. The rules are meant to help transition you from living at home. Too many freshmen blow it by going wild. Tanking their grades by partying too much. If your grades drop, you can’t play.”
“Any of your freshmen starting this year?” I fall into step with Axel. Ivan’s fine, but not as serious as Axel.
“Wilder Bishop’s starting this year. He came from Sherman High School. Him, Spencer, and Zane will be coming along with the others. They’re already a tight crew.” Axel rubs the back of his neck. “Even though Coach will let anyone move up, some of the seniors have been making life rough for Wilder. Once the old guard is out though, I think Coach Mitchell’s leadership will make the team better.”
“How long before the old guard is out? Three years?” I glance behind me at Ivan and Jackson. They’re talking about girls. Maybe I can find out more about who Jackson knows this week. See if I can find the connection. But it’s not like we’re going to be best buds all of a sudden.
Especially if the fucker thinks he can take my girl.
“I think the juniors and sophomores this year will get with the new program. At least the sophomores will. They’ve got threemore years, and Coach is willing to let them try for first string out the gate.” Axel glances at me out of the corner of his eye. “You know Riordan?”
“We played on the same team as kids. He’s in the same league now, so we play against his school.” I don’t need to spill all the dirt. Every moment is an interview. I’m sure these guys will sit down with Coach after this week to help him make his final decision.
Axel glances back again and gives me a piercing look. “You like him?”
“Not particularly, but I don’t have to like a guy to play hockey with him.” What I want to say is he’s terrorizing my girl, but I don’t have proof of that. What if we’re focusing on the wrong guy? It can’t help that none of us like the guy.
All I know is Evan’s scared of him. That’s all I need to keep him away from her.
I ask about the training program to shift topics. Axel tells me about the state of the art gym we’ll work out in tomorrow.
As we hit frat row, the houses are lit up, and people have spilled onto the lawns. Bass pounds loud down the street, and every now and then some girl’s shriek fills the air. This is exactly the type of place Cam would love.
“You sure you don’t want a puck bunny, Damon?” Ivan wraps his arm around my shoulders. “What your girl doesn’t know won’t hurt her?”
“I’m good to just hang out this weekend.” Even though I know my girl will probably get some tonight. At least she’s not alone. “I don’t cheat.”
“How ‘bout you, Jackson? Fancy a puck bunny or two?” Ivan turns to walk backwards as Jackson catches up with Axel and me. “Or do you have a missus to answer to at home too?”
