Page 20 of Penalty Kill

I’d have to remember that for next time.

7

Brandon

Morning skate had been intense. Coach Romney and Rust were on us to keep the energy high and move quickly. We were playing the Boulder team, and tensions between us were at an all-time high. They considered us their rivals. We didn’t think much of them, which drove them crazy. It didn’t help that they had the most difficult arena and front office staff to work with. They always messed up our locker room, lost equipment or supplies, and only allowed for maybe two or three reserved tickets. For our entire team. Their behavior toward us had led to us never commenting on them in interviews. When the correspondents asked us about playing them or how the game went, we talked about something else. It was a longstanding joke that the rest of the league found entertaining. Well, everyone but Boulder. Not that we cared.

Every time we played them they would chirp at us, trying to make us mad or start a fight, but we blocked them out. Acted like they weren’t on the ice. Then, we destroyed them.

As much as I disliked the team, I enjoyed these games for the extra challenge. Their hatred was palpable. They wanted so badly to affect us, but they didn’t. Our lines had fun ignoring them while pushing them lower in the rankings.

“Ready, Dad?” Hartman asked as he passed me. “Rumor has it Turner has your name written on his glove.”

I chuckled. Turner was a left defenseman that I took great pleasure in scoring on. It was happenstance that he was usually in my sweet spot.

“I can’t wait.” I headed to the locker room to change out for our warm-up before the game. I was halfway there when Amelia cut me off.

“Hey Cullen.” She gave me a warm smile, but I was suspicious. We didn’t normally stop and chat.

“Hi.” I waited for her to say something, but when she didn’t, I took another step toward the locker room.

“I was just wondering if things with the guys were any better today.”

I twisted to look at her. “It was fine. Why?”

We’d been too focused for personal talks. My usual hecklers were exhausted by the time we were done practicing.

“I just noticed they were giving you a hard time the other day. Most of the guys are used to it, but you usually don’t get involved.”

She was worried about me? I almost laughed. “They didn’t hurt my feelings. I’m just fine.”

“Okay.” She rolled her eyes. “I know I’m the new girl around here but that means I know how it feels to be on the outside. I don’t want them scaring her away.”

“She’s just my boys’ nanny.”

Amelia ducked her head. “Never mind. You’re right.”

I stared at her until she finally met my eyes. She wasn’t usually this involved with us outside of the training room. Oh no. This wasn’t about the guys at all. “What do you know?”

She pursed her lips. “Nothing.”

I lowered my voice. “Amelia.”

“Ugh. Fine.” She sighed. “Some of the Pride just mentioned that she was really nice.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“And pretty.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“And how she seems like a really good fit... for you.”

She closed her eyes while I stared at the wall. Of course. I should have prepared myself for this. The women of the Pride were some of the most meddling, crafty, underhanded people I’d ever met. I loved most of them like family, but they were a terrifying force. They accomplished their goals no matter what. They were unapologetic and did whatever they thought was necessary. For the most part they used their powers for good. At least, from my perspective which was usually from a good distance away. For the past several years, I’d watched them matchmake and claw their way into the personal lives of several of my teammates, but since I’d been married, they’d left me alone.

That all changed when Olivia left. I became their newest project. They came into my home, into my life, and got to work. They were the reason I was able to continue to focus on my job and not miss a single practice, but they also felt that since they were semi-involved they—the Pride moved, thought, and acted as one after all—believed they had a vote in how I ran my life. My personal life.

Chloe knew someone who knew someone who helped me get the divorce done faster than usual in Utah. Not even a week had passed after my marriage was officially over that Madeline had a friend for me to meet. I refused, but that didn’t discourage them. Multiple times a week, I was sent pictures of women they believed were a perfect fit.