Page 22 of Hot As Ice

I watch as Ryder walks towards us with two bottles of beer, one for him, one for Jamie, and then an unwelcome sight has me clenching my fists and almost rising out of my seat. Jamie turns around to see what’s got my attention. “What the fuck is he doing here?” I snap.

He is Axel Bauer, my former best friend and current biggest rival. He plays forward for Greenwood U, our rival university. We’re playing them this week, and he knows better than to encroach on my territory. I don’t fucking go to his part of town. And he’s not alone either. Half the players on his team are with him. Motherfucker.

“Hunter,” Jamie says. “Don’t. Don’t react. That’s what he wants. Act like he’s not even here.”

Typical pacifist Jamie. But he’s right. I unclench my fists and take a deep breath, willing myself to relax. Ryder reaches us then and slides into his seat beside me, and immediately clocks Axel’s presence. “What the fuck?!”

“Chill,” I tell him. “Don’t engage.”

“Are you kidding me? They think they can just come to our bar and get away with it?” Ryder rises, looking murderous. I clamp my hand down on his shoulder and push him back down. “I said chill.”

“Hunter, come on, man. You’re gonna let him disrespect you like that?”

“What’s your grand plan, Ryder?” Jamie cuts in. “Beat him up before the game? And then what? Don’t be a fucking idiot.”

Ryder takes a long swig of his beer, eyes never leaving Axel. I don’t think he heard a word Jamie said. It’s like a red flag was waved in front of a bull. Luckily, the Greenwood players move out of our sight after a few minutes, to the other side of the bar. I’m still pissed as hell, but if I don’t see them, it’s easier to pretend they’re not here.

Jamie starts talking about some new movie he’s seen lately, and I know he’s steering the subject away from any hockey talk. Anger fizzes through me. I sip on my Coke, annoyed as hell.

Axel is a fucking asshole. We were friends from childhood through high school. It wasn’t until senior year of high school when he fucked my then-girlfriend Alana behind my back that I saw him for who he truly was. It had shocked me to my core. It’d been a relief when he’d gotten accepted to the University of Greenwood the next town over. At least I didn’t have to be on the same team as him. It’s always a heated game when we play against each other, and it looks like he wants this next one to be a massacre.

Half an hour later, I’m ready to leave. I just have to make sure Ryder comes with me or he’s going to start something with the Greenwood players when I’m gone. I’m about to convince him to leave with me when I’m surprised for the second time in less than an hour.

Stevie has just walked into the bar.

She’s wearing light blue jeans and a white crop top that shows way too much cleavage. She looks good enough to eat, and I notice multiple men eyeing her with as much hunger as I feel. This won’t do. I have to bundle her up in my jacket and get her the fuck out of here.

As I’m watching her, Axel fucking Bauer sidles up to Stevie and touches her arm, some fruity cocktail in his grip. He presses the glass into Stevie’s hand, and she smiles at him. Oh hell no.

Axel starts flirting with Stevie, and it’s like I’m back in high school, walking in on him and Alana in his bedroom. I’m going to kill him. I get up and start towards them, muscling my way through the massive crowd and plucking the cocktail from Stevie’s hand. I place it on a nearby table.

“She doesn’t drink,” I tell Axel, sliding an arm around Stevie’s waist. “And she’s with me.”

Axel looks shocked for a split second, then he grins. A fucking shit-eating grin I want to smack off his ugly face. “Well, if it isn’t Hunter Cruise.”

“You knew I would be here, asshole. You’re on my turf. Fuck off.”

He laughs. He knows he’s got me all riled up and he loves it. But I don’t give a fuck. I’m thisclose to ripping his head off. I maneuver Stevie behind me and square up to Axel. I’ve got two inches on him and it’s satisfying as fuck to look down on him.

His teammates swarm behind him, but I’ve got Jamie and Ryder on either side of me. I don’t even know when they showed up, but now they’re shoulder to shoulder with me. With the rage coursing through me right now, and the rage that’s always coursing through Ryder, the three of us could probably take on all seven of them.

“We don’t want any trouble,” Axel says slowly, pure malice in his eyes. “We just came to have some drinks.” He looks at his teammates. “Right, guys?”

“Have some drinks in your own fucking town,” Ryder growls, anger coming off of him in waves. We both take another step toward Axel, forcing him to back up a little.

“I’ll have drinks wherever the fuck I want,” Axel counters. “What the fuck are you doing here anyway, Cruise? You don’t drink. Go have your fucking soda at the local diner.”

I’m about to explode. Every muscle in my body is coiled and ready to spring. I clench my fist, then feel a soft hand covering it. Stevie.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, what’s going on here?” A wiry figure wedges himself between me and Axel. It’s the bar manager, Malcolm, and the beefy security guard who’s usually at the door is right behind him. “Let’s all calm down. There’s no need for all this.”

Axel raises his hands, palms up, a look of utter innocence on his face. “I’m cool. We’re cool, right, guys?” he says, turning to his teammates. “We were just about to leave. See ya Friday, Cruise.” He smirks and steps away, the crowd parting before him like he’s Moses. His teammates follow after him like obedient little ducks.

Stevie squeezes my still-clenched fist and I open my hand, twining my fingers with hers. Minutes later, I’m in the parking lot with Stevie, Jamie, and Ryder, making sure those fuckers truly left. Stevie’s hand is still in mine, and it feels fucking good to have her touching me.

“They’re gone,” Ryder says. “I’m gonna fuck them up on Friday. Sorry, James.”

Jamie shrugs. “Go for it.” He turns to me. “You alright? I’m heading home.”