Luc hopped onto the ice with his line of Pat and Torin. The refs held the face-off right in front of section 108, where the families sat.
Taking a chance, Luc looked up and immediately locked eyes with the gorgeous, brunette O’Conner. He couldn’t hold back the smirk that crossed his face. He felt like a high school kid showing off for his crush, making the most out of his time on the ice, hitting players and fighting for the puck, really putting on a show.
After a short shift, Torin was unexpectedly replaced by one of the newer guys, Harrison Dash. Luc only got a quick glance towards the bench, but Torin was headed down the tunnel towards the locker room.
Pat took the face-off, with Luc and Dash on the wing. Pat shot the puck to Luc, who took it wide, out of the way of any Columbus players.
“Harrison!” Luc called, and shot the puck in his direction.
Dash took the puck and hurriedly sped down the ice. He kept his focus on Luc, who was trying to stay open on the other side of the zone.
Pat got off the ice, as Sam hopped over the boards. He was open and had a clear path to the net. Dash passed the biscuit to him. Sam, on the breakaway towards the net, deked to his backhand, then shot at the five-hole, burying the puck.
SCORE!
Luc rushed at Sam, giving his friend a bear hug. “Fuck yeah! Morris is back!”
The team cheered from the bench and gave high fives.
By the time the second period started, Sam had his swagger back. Coach was still not playing him as much as Sam would’ve liked, and Luc heard about it every chance he got on the bench. But Luc was just happy to be back on the same line as Sam.
The game was tied at one goal apiece. Columbus wasn’t backing down and almost got two different shots past Kaden tonight. If it hadn’t been for how much Sam was screening the net, they may have scored once.
In the middle of the second, Sam stayed in front of the Columbus net, calling for the puck and getting in their netminder’s face. Luc was carrying the puck up the boards, when he saw Miller smash an elbow into Sam’s jaw, sending him down to the ice.
“What the fuck, Miller?” Luc left the puck behind, and instead he made a beeline for Miller. Sam was slow to get up off the ground.
Luc tackled Miller to the ground, and the two wrestled until the refs broke them up. Then Luc pulled out of the ref’s arms and got another good swing in, connecting with Miller’s face. By now play was stopped, and the trainer was helping Sam off the ice. Luckily, he was leaving under his own power.
But Luc was the only one sent to the box.
When play continued, Kris took the puck into the corner behind Columbus’ net. His head was down as he and Miller dug for the puck. Miller shoved Kris hard, face first into the glass. Still in the penalty box, all Luc wanted to do was get out there and crush the jerk. But he wasn’t usually the guy always taking penalties, and it was probably a bad night to do that with Kassie in the crowd.
With Luc in the box still, Harrison went after Miller. Being new to the team, recently called up from the minors, this was Harrison proving himself and his worth to the front office.
By the time he took a seat next to Luc in the penalty box, Harrison had already earned Luc’s respect.
Not long after Luc served out his penalty and was back on the bench, Sam emerged from the locker room. He sat next to Luc.
“You good, bro?” Luc asked.
“I’m still in one piece. I’m back and better than ever, in case you were worried,” Sam said with a grin.
“Me? Worried? Naw. But I’m glad that hit didn’t do any damage.”
“Me too. And did you see Harrison go after Miller? He’s a beast!”
“I know. I already told him that I’ve got mad respect for him. I think he’ll fit in just fine here.” As Luc said the words, Coach Walker looked down at him and nodded.
It was Sunday night, and most of the guys went directly home after the game. Even though the Renegades won in overtime with a goal from Kris with an assist from Harrison, no one was up for partying tonight. Most had families who were waiting for them. The single guys either ran off with their arm candy, picked up a bunny or two outside the arena, or headed to the bar in the hopes of picking up arm candy. All Luc wanted was the one girl he shouldn’t.
He got into his Porsche and looked at his phone. Hopes of there being a message from her dashed when he saw there were no new texts. If she left right after the game, she should be home by now. But she was with Quinn. What were the odds they went out for a drink or dancing?
He liked to play the odds.
Luc: Kassie. How’d you enjoy the game? You think you’d be up for a drink?
Kassie: Hey. Game was fun.
Luc: And?
Kassie: I’m at Mario’s with Quinn. JJ and Travis just got here.
Kassie: I wouldn’t hate some company. They’re kind of a trio, I guess.
He knew all about JJ, Travis and Quinn. He knew more than he wanted to, even if it was hot. They spent their time with the team, and guys talk. So, the fact that Kassie asked, in a roundabout way, for Luc to stop over, meant that she was either really uncomfortable being the fourth wheel in that ménage, or that she wanted to see him. Either way, he’d take it.
Luc: Be there in five.
He put the car in gear and drove through the streets of Pittsburgh. It was an amazing city when it was all lit up at night. But right now, he wasn’t sparing the time to take it all in. He was too concerned with getting to see Kassie.
The bar was only a few blocks away from the arena, so it didn’t take long to get there, and he had a VIP parking pass, since he used to come here a lot.
Once inside, he spotted Kassie sitting at the bar in her O’Conner jersey. Why do I feel jealous? That was her brother. But Luc wanted his name and number on her back.
Quinn was nowhere to be seen. He approached Kassie from behind, and sliding his hand from one shoulder to the other, he whispered in her ear, “Hey, sweets.” His arm stayed around her as if he was protecting her—or better yet, telling every guy who was watching that she was off limits.
When she turned her head to see him, her face lit up, and a small smile grew on her lips. “Hey.” She lifted the mixed drink to her mouth and took a sip.
“What are you drinking tonight?”
“Appletini.”
He winced comically. “Sounds like a girly drink.”
She twisted her body so she was facing him, and in the process, his hand pulled away from her more than he was happy about. She looked him dead in the eyes. “It’s apple. Are you saying only girls can like apples?”
“Nope.” Luc shook his head, doing his best to keep a serious face. He grabbed her hand with the drink in it, moved it to his lips and took a sip. He knew she could’ve thrown the drink in his face if she’d wanted to, and he was willing to take that chance. Licking his lips, he smiled. “It’s good. Appley. So, no, not a girly drink.”