Chapter 15
Damon felt really bad for making Marlie wait.
But damn, the Mavs needed a lot of help. But not more than the ridiculous Sharks.
“Hey ladies, my sister skates better than you with one leg tied behind her back.”
“Hmm. Sounds like someone I’d like to meet,” one of the idiots on their team said.
Morgan wiped a hand over his face. “Ignore him, Damon.”
He and Damon stood together on the ice, but only after Morgan had seen Damon wasn’t moving but had only gone out there to be closer to the guys.
Aware of Marlie watching everything he did, Damon made sure to keep his temper under control.
Not too hard since everyone wanted to get better and had been genuinely good sports about learning.
Although two of the guys on the Sharks didn’t seem to like him much.
And that wasn’t Mitch or Grant, who were obviously jealous of his manliness.
He ignored the dickheads though, doing his best to help everyone up their game.
He just hoped Marlie wouldn’t be too angry that practice had run over by an hour. But hell, he was helping her brothers, wasn’t he? That should count for something.
“Your knee good?” Morgan asked. “You look okay.”
“Feeling fine. I’ve been working on those exercises but also taking it easy. I’ve only had to ice it a few times this past week.”
“You’re coming to see me Monday at ten, right?”
“Yeah. But don’t hurt me when we wipe the ice with you tomorrow.”
“Good.” Morgan gave him an evil grin. “I have a feeling Monday’s going to be brutal.”
Damon groaned. “You’re such a fucker.”
“We have to get you up and running by New Year’s.”
Damon sighed. “Yep, when we play the Ducks. I’ve already talked to Coach, and he wants me in that game.”
“Nice. You ready?”
“I will be.” Damon was adding more weight training into his routine. “Colby will probably start. But I don’t care. I miss playing.” He looked around, the need to be on the ice with other players eating at him.
No, he was far from done with hockey. Even if he had met the love of his life. He sure the hell hoped that wouldn’t be a problem.
“Hey, Morgan. Why didn’t you tell me you coached a team?”
Morgan flushed. “It’s nothing serious. Not compared to the Ice Raptors.”
“Well sure, it’s not the NHL. But man, this is cool.” Damon meant it. Their passion for the sport was plain to see, even if the guys playing needed major help. Especially Mitch Flashman. Damon bit back a grin.
“Well, you’d think with our town’s growing size that we’d have more people interested. I mean, winter gets cold and snowy here in Hope’s Turn. We’re a little over thirty thousand strong as of the last census.”
“Two rinks but not many players?”
“Not yet. Our leagues are only a year old. Well, two years old counting this year. Equipment is expensive. You know that.”
“Ice time and gear cost. I get it. Any youth leagues?”
“The high school has a team. But they have to travel to compete. We can’t all fly first class, you know.”
“It ain’t all that great.” Sure, they had private planes and buses, luxury hotels too. But the travel and time away from everyone and everything not hockey-related could be tough.
Before Marlie, Damon wouldn’t have minded. But now that he’d found her, he didn’t want things to go bad before they had a chance to grow.
“Hey, I’ve got a lunch date. We about done?”
“You helped a ton. I guess I’ll cut you some slack. Game’s tomorrow at one. Try not to be late again.”
“Try not to be a dick. You’re welcome for allowing you exposure to the genius that is me.”
Morgan rolled his eyes. “Wrap it up, guys. We’re done.”
Damon walked carefully toward the team. But a warning look from Will warned him to turn around, so that he narrowly avoided a bodycheck from a large Sharks player.
One of the guys who hadn’t seemed to like him much had made a stupid move. Fortunately, the idiot was shaky on his skates.
“Try again, princess.” Damon sneered at him. “Or are you only brave coming from behind?”
The guy’s face flushed.
Deacon snarled, “Hey, Mackenzie. Back off, asshole.”
But Mackenzie had been baited by one of the best. He darted at Damon, who sidestepped and helped Mackenzie hit the wall. Hard.
Everyone cringed as he went down.
“Fuckhead.” Damon shook his head, his hands on his hips. To the Mavericks, he said, “You see what I said about blindly rushing an opponent? Be smart, watch his hips. Feel for his movement. Then up and off his feet. Not rushing at him.” He huffed. “Mackenzie, huh? You’re sad, man.”
He had a few other choice words, but aware of everyone in the stands watching the moment, he did his best to behave himself. With any luck, he’d run into the guy outside the ring and clock the shit out of him.
“See you all at one tomorrow for the big game!” He waved to the stands.
Everyone cheered and jeered—always at least one Ice Raptor hater in the crowd. Marlie waited for him next to Jeff down by the bench.
“Way to make friends, stalker.” She shook her head at him.
They stared at the guy on the ice, surrounded by his teammates and some very angry Flashman brothers.
“Yeah, that’s no good.” Jeff sighed. “One thing about these games is that sportsmanship is key. My bet is Mackenzie will be off the team.”
“Good.”
Damon noticed Marlie’s displeasure. “You know him?”
“He’s one of Ben’s asshole buddies.”
Damon smiled. “Want me to get him to the side and pound him? No one will know.”
Jeff scoffed. “Yeah? How will you explain him when he’s bruised and battered after ‘talking’ to you?”
“He ran into a door. I don’t know.” Damon shrugged.
“As much as I’d love to see that, maybe don’t open yourself up to a lawsuit.”
Damon turned to Marlie. “Did he not hear me say I’d take him to the side? That no one would know?”
She sighed. “Come on, killer. No fighting today. It’s my turn. Feed me. I’m hungry.”
“Your wish is my command.” He bowed and glanced up to see her smirking down at him.
Then she gave him a royal nod. “Come, boy. Your queen demands sustenance.”
He had something he wanted to feed her, inch by inch. But seeing as how her brothers were watching him carefully, and how many other people seemed captivated by Marlie leading him by the nose, he followed her meekly.
“I will. Please, just… Don’t hit me again.”
“Huh?” She glanced around, saw people staring at them, especially at Damon cringing, and swore. “Oh, come on.” She stormed off in a huff.
He followed, laughing, excited to see how Mad Marlie would make him pay.