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Terra lets out a sigh. “Cam likes having him on the roster. According to him, they need a guy who plays with an edge like he does. He was excited when they traded for him.”

“So was Tony,” his girl interjects.

I crane my neck to look at her. “Because …?”

“Because he’s the grit and sandpaper they were missing.”

Another WAG adds, “He’s that depth forward who makes their team tougher to play against.”

Terra tilts her head in thought. “Maybe. Cam thought they were too soft before.” She lifts her gaze to the jumbotron. “Not that it’s showing up in their record.”

We discuss the Surge’s stats over the last two years, and Tony’s girl declares they’re on pace to do better this year than before. Terra seems reluctant to go along with the analysis, so I prod. “Could be he is making a difference, then.”

Tony’s girl asks, “Have you ever sat down and talked to him?”

Terra shakes her head. “No, he usually doesn’t stick around at team events, and even when he does, he’s a cold fish. He finds a spot against a wall and stands there glaring at everyone.” Terra chuckles. “Am I passing judgment prematurely?”

Faker that I am tonight, I shrug nonchalantly. “It’s possible, though it’s hard for me to believe you’ve never tried talking to him. You always make everyone feel so welcome.” As the captain’s wife, it’s part of the job description, though Terra was made for the role and handles it with the utmost grace. Usually.

“I’ve talked to him,” Tony’s girl adds. “He’s nice. Quiet, but nice. I tried to set him up with my bookworm sister. He wasn’t interested, but he was very polite about it.” Her eyes widen as she looks at me. “Are you into him?”

“Me?” I sputter. “Hell no!”

Terra turns to face the woman. “Her brother would blow a gasket if she was. Then you’d really see blood out there.”

Apparently, everyone is aware of Donovan’s attitude toward his teammate.

Tony’s girl frowns, and I rush into the void. “I don’t get it. Teammates are like brothers. Did they have a fight?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but like you said, they’re brothers, and brothers fight all the time.” Terra suddenly points at the ice, where play has paused once more. “Oh God! What did I say? The refs are sending Chase to the box. He’s going to lose us this game!”

I peer down, and sure enough, Colby’s being escorted by a linesman to the penalty box. He’s allowing himself to be pushed along, his skates gliding on the smooth surface, but he’s not going quietly. No, he’s mouthing off and pointing at the other bench. If he’s not careful … And there it is. He’s called for an extra two, and the ref gestures at him to leave the ice. He’s done. Well, done as far as this game goes, but he’s not done yapping, even as he struts off the rink and down the chute to the locker room.

Terra’s prediction comes true. The opponents score on the power play, and the Surge lose. I can’t wait to hear my brother’s rants. That’s sarcasm, in case you can’t tell.

You know, Terra might be right about something else. It’s possible I do give Colby Chase too much credit. Maybe his dick side is actually who he is.

Chapter 13

Dangerous Seas

Colby

“That was a bullshit call, Chaser, and everyone knows it. Even the announcers said it was,” my teammate Tony argues as a small cluster of guys surround me. They nod and grumble their agreement.

We’re in a private dining room in an upscale restaurant, enjoying post-dinner drinks and conversation before we hit the road. The lights are just bright enough, and it’s got that cozy dark-wood feel to it.

“The announcers are homers,” I point out with a half-smile. Even though we lost, the guys are rallying around me, and it feels damn good. Seems my retaliation for a cheap shot against our first-line center struck the right note, and the boys are cheering me on instead of jeering at me for the penalty that became the last nail in our coffin tonight.

This is the camaraderie I’ve missed. I love these guys.

“Well, Coach agrees it was bullshit,” retorts my winger, Nick. “He said as much to Chaser’s face.”

Coach wasn’t exactly pleased about how it went down, but I got a shoulder pat from him nonetheless. “That’s how we want you to play, Chaser, but do me a favor and keep your trap shut next time and avoid the extra two, okay?”

Chaser. Yeah, I like the sound of it.

A piercing pair of eyes lands on me from across the room, and my heart bumps against my chest. Jackie’s here, and I’ve been aware of her presence all night. Can’t help but sneak peeks at her because she’s a knockout. She must be wearing makeup because she’s got that black shit women wear to accentuate their eyes. Some of them overdo it, but hers is perfect. It brings out the color, a vivid green that reminds me of unfurling spring leaves. Man, the girl taps into the poet in me—never knew before that I had one.