Page 13 of Scoring Lessons

He coasted near the bench, leaning casually on his stick. “Well,” he said loudly, “who do we have here?”

Olivia didn’t even bother to look up. “If you’re about to ask me about a mysterious injury,” she said, “the answer is hydration and stretching.”

“Not an injury. I’m only appreciating the view.” Sullivan grinned. “Training camp just got a lot better.”

A few of the other rookies laughed under their breath, while Sullivan ran his tongue across his upper teeth like he was satisfied with his stupid line.

My jaw tightened.

Before I could stop myself, I pushed off the boards and skated over. “Training staff isn’t part of rookie orientation, Sullivan.”

His smirk turned wider, making my eye twitch involuntarily. “Relax, man. Didn’t realize compliments were against team policy.”

“Depends who they’re directed at.”

“Oh.” His eyes flicked toward Olivia. “I get it. Didn’t know she came with a bodyguard.”

I leaned slightly on my stick. “She doesn’t.”

“Then why do you sound like one?”

“Doing you a favor.” I shrugged. “You’re lucky Anderson is distracted with the coaches and wasn’t able to hear you hitting on his sister.”

Sullivan laughed under his breath. “Is that supposed to mean anything to me? I’m not afraid of him.”

Parker let out a low whistle. “Ballsy.”

Morgan let out a long, annoyed sigh.

“Some of you rookies don’t know how to act when you get called to the big leagues,” I said calmly.

“Careful there, Hayes. You sound a little threatened.”

My blood turned hot, and I let out a humorless laugh as I tightened my grip on my stick. If I weren’t such a pragmatic man, I would have punched him by now. He was trying to bait me, and I wasn’t going to let him.

“By you?” My chuckle was low. “Please, Sullivan. Have some common sense before you continue chirping nonsense.”

“You sure have a lot to say for a guy who’s skating on the second line today.”

The comment managed to slash me, making it harder to breathe, but I didn’t let it show.

I stepped a little closer and looked down since I was taller than him. “And you’re sounding pretty confident for a guy who hasn’t even played a real game yet.”

Before he could answer, Olivia’s voice cut through the air.

“Are you both done with the measuring contest?” she said, her tone filled with boredom, then added, “Get back to practice.”

Some of the guys chuckled at her comment.

“Did I say something funny?” Her eyes settled on the rookies, the authoritative tone I knew well coating her words.

“Why are you all standing there looking like idiots? We’re doing skating drills, let’s go!” Coach Sloane shouted.

As I passed the bench, Olivia spoke quietly without looking up from her board. “Real subtle, Wesley.”

I slowed down as I shot her a glance. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough to know you’re both idiots.”