Page 37 of Here on Earth
“Prettier than you,” I shot back.
I didn’t like the dig, but I managed to make light of it. Ethan always said he was teasing, and he did it to everyone. But, as always, I took it personally.
“Did Kayden tell you about the party tomorrow?” Ethan motioned to Maddox. “You should come. Maybe with a couple of drinks in you, you’ll actually crack a smile.”
“Unlikely. The smile, I mean,” Maddox snarked. “But I’ll be there. I’m looking forward to watching you crash and burn.”
“Crash and burn?” Ethan asked.
“Yeah, like when all the hot students hit on Kayden and not you.”
I couldn’t help laughing at that. Maddox’s scenario was highly unlikely, but funny all the same.
“Score one for the goalie,” Axel quipped.
Ethan gave us all a choice finger.
“I’m starving,” Finn announced. “Let’s get food, already.”
Phoenix returned with our burger plates, and the rest of the guys put in their orders. Of course, Finn ate my fries while he waited for his meal to arrive. Maddox finished his burger, and pushed his plate towards me. His pile of onion rings sat untouched.
“Take it,” he insisted.
Finn reached out and Maddox shook his head. “Did I offer it to you?”
I gratefully grabbed his plate and finished off the greasy goodness in no time. Damn, I was still hungry as fuck. I probably I should’ve ordered two burgers.
“I can’t wait until tomorrow. I need a fucking win so bad I can taste it,” Axel muttered as he sipped on his water.
“Boston sucks. They’re like, third to last in the standings,” Ethan scoffed. “We got this.”
Phoenix returned with more food, and I reached for Finn’s fries.
“Hey!” Finn tapped my hand.
“What? You took most of mine. Fair’s fair,” I replied. “Besides, you need to stay leaner than me. Forwards gotta have speed.”
Finn shrugged and I gratefully took his fries.
“What do you guys think about Silas?” Ethan asked. “I heard a rumor that Banning wants to cut him from the team.”
I didn’t like to see anyone go, but Silas played hot, then not. He didn’t make much of an effort to interact with the rest of the team. Not that Maddox did either, but his goaltending skills couldn’t be denied. Silas was getting better with each practice, but to me, he was still holding back.
“It’s only been a couple of weeks,” I offered. “Give the guy a chance.”
“If he’s not top tier, he needs to go,” Axel said between bites. “He’s big, he’s got skills, but he’s in his own world out on the ice.”
“Has anyone talked to him outside of practice?” I asked.
Everyone shook their heads.
“Did you invite him tomorrow?” I turned to Ethan.
“I did, but he said he had family stuff afterward. No clue what that means,” Ethan replied with a shrug. “But who turns down a party after a home game on a Saturday night? This is college. It’s time to let loose and fucking live. Family shit can wait.”
“What does it matter to you?” Maddox bit out. “And FYI, it’s not cool to spread rumors about teammates getting cut. I don’t want to hear about it unless it actually happens.”
Maddox pulled out his wallet, threw cash on the table, and motioned for me to move out of his way. I got up and Maddox slid out from the booth.