Page 37 of Taking Sides

There was this immediate subtext when he asked why I had Victor’s jersey, like of all the hockey players in Houston, why that one?

I feel the same twinge of irritation on behalf of my brother as I did that night. I know he’s not the most popular with opposing players or fans, but Victor is a great hockey player. He’s had a few rough years with injuries and Houston’s struggled to keep a coach long enough to mold together a game plan, but I will always love and support him.

Which is why I haven’t been too disappointed that I haven’t heard from Conrad. He said he wanted to see me again, but that was before he knew Victor is my brother. After that, he sort of awkwardly shuffled out of my house with a dazed look on his face. And I guess the fact that he hasn’t texted tells me all I need to know.

TEN

“You good?” Nick asks as we take a seat on the bench after a shift on the ice.

“Fine,” I say through gritted teeth as I glare at Victor Aven. I should be happy that the asshole is in the penalty box but just seeing him irritates me.

I cannot believe he’s Whitney’s brother. I did not see that coming. She’s so happy and sweet, always smiling and on the brink of laughter, and he walks around with a permanent scowl and everything that comes out of his mouth is vitriol.

I don’t get it. How is it possible?

“You seem pissed. Did Aven say something?” Nick presses. As captain, I know he’s only trying to make sure my head is in the right place. We lost our last game, and we’re down two starters tonight with injuries, so while Houston should be an easy win, we’re struggling.

“Just the usual bullshit.” I glance over at him. “I’m good.”

He nods, and we both go back to focusing on the game. My leg bounces while I catch my breath and wait to get out there again. I love my job, but this season I’ve felt a different sort of pressure to prove myself. We came so close to the Cup. It’s always disappointing to lose, but it hurts even worse to have gotten so close and to lose to someone like Victor.

My next shift, I storm out onto the ice as fast as my legs will carry me. D-Low sends a long pass. Victor is out of the box and chases behind me. He’s quick, but he has no chance of catching me tonight. I fly past everyone. The Houston goalie gets into position, watching me closely and trying to anticipate where I’ll shoot the puck.

I head to the right, and he shifts to better cover that side. I fake left, but he doesn’t take the bait. Smart man. Unfortunately for him, I’m not about to give up so easily. I want this way more than he wants to stop me. I come to a stop farther away than he expects and fire the puck hard into the top right side of the net. It’s past him before he can react. The goalpost lights up, and the crowd groans.

A smile stretches across my face when I circle behind the back of the net. Victor’s glaring right at me. I hold his gaze until my teammates crowd around me.

“Let’s fucking go.” D-Low bumps into me and taps me on top of my helmet.

“Nice shot.” Trav comes up on my other side.

The rest of the guys on the ice congratulate me and then I head for the bench to celebrate with everyone else.

On my next shift, there’s an icing call.

“How cute,” Victor says, skating next to me.

I make the mistake of looking at him. His brows rise. “That was the first goal of your career, right?” He shrugs. “The way you were celebrating I figured it had to be.”

We get into position for the face-off.

“Nothing to say, Shepard?” He chuckles. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll have more ahead of you.”

Travis is nearby and must overhear Victor because it’s him who chirps back. “How’s your sister, Aven?”

I freeze. So does Victor. His jaw tightens, and he glares at Travis, which is exactly what he hoped by the smirk on my teammate’s face.

For a moment I’m panicked, trying to figure out how Travis knows about Whitney and me. Then I’m transported to last fall when me, Trav, and Hannah ran into Victor at a whiskey bar opening in Moonshot. He said he was visiting his sister, who lived there. Holy shit. I’d completely forgotten about that night. Whitney wasn’t with him when we saw him, but she was there. She was right fucking there and I never saw her.

“Don’t talk about my sister.” Victor’s tone is as icy as I’ve ever heard it.

“Why not? You have no problem talking shit about everyone else.” Trav beams. “Maybe I want to meet her. Is she still living in Moonshot?”

“Wife already leave you?” Victor’s words are still tight and clipped.

“I wouldn’t be interested in your sister if she was the last woman alive. Does she look like you?” He winces.

My stomach churns. Victor lunges for him, tossing off his gloves and taking a swing. I move after him, catching his arm as he throws a second punch. Travis dodges him, still smirking. In the midst of holding Victor back, I take an elbow to the mouth.