Adrian: An Ironfield Forge Hockey Romance by Frost Sosie

Author:Frost, Sosie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

11

Adrian

Clover’s pregnancy test came back negative.

And my day only got worse from there.

Ten players straight-up refused to participate in the unofficial workouts. They wouldn’t arrive until training camp began or they were mandated to appear through arbitration between their agents and the team.

Two of my teammates arrived to practice drunk. Rhett Marlow drank to conceal his problems. Orion Orlav drank to cause them. Neither were permitted to stay, though the coaches took their time admonishing them while in the middle of the ice and in full view of the cameras in attendance.

Leo Telane and Felix Ferraro began their argument in the locker room, and it followed them to the ice. So far, no one had thrown any fists, but the insults levied were harsh, biting, and instantly tweeted by the reporters.

And Beau Beckett was the first on the ice only to be the first off, packing his equipment after the showers and making a break for the exit before the team meeting.

“Where the hell are you going?” I blocked his path, trading my skates and sticks for a suit and tie—the new mandatory dress-code for the upcoming training camp. “Practice isn’t over.”

Beau took pride in aggravating those around him. Instead of earning our respect, he chased our animosity. Not sure why the Superstar possessed such a caustic attitude, but his arrogance would burn through the team.

“I got better things to do than circle-jerk with the coaches,” Beau said.

“Think you know better than them?”

“Yeah, I do.”

The locker room was too crowded a space for this conversation. The last of the showers had turned off, and a handful of teammates slowed their dressing just to see where this was going. I ignored the exchange of money between Oz and Cash. Betting against me was betting against the team.

Even if it seemed the more reckless wager.

“You’ve got no idea what it’s like playing in the professional league, kid,” I said. “You should spend some time watching film with the coaches. You might learn something.”

“Spare me. You’re the only one doubting my talent, and a pretty boy like you doesn’t look as good when he’s green with envy.” Beau didn’t break his stare. Like we needed an invitation to toss down the gloves. “Was my stickwork bad? Did I skate sloppy? Did I miss any shots?”

“You play like you’re the only one on the ice.”

“Yeah—because to the opposing goalies and the television crews—I’m the only one worth a damn out there.”

I’d heard it from wanna-be superstars before, and it always ended in disaster.

“You’re not gonna get anywhere without the team,” I said.

He flashed the keys to his brand-new Porsche. “Looks like I can go anywhere I want, zero to sixty in three seconds.”

“Hope it’s got a good ride to the unemployment office.”

“Look, I’m got my payday. I’ve got my skates. I’ve got my stick. You let me worry about the rest, Captain.”

I pointed around the locker room, the unfamiliar electric blue accenting the benches, the rugs, and the line of brick in the white wall.

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