CHAPTER 15
SASHA
It was a dirty fucking shot. But that was to be expected from a dirty skater. I'm more pissed that he didn't toss his gloves than I am about the stitches I'm going to need.
“Not now. Just tape it.” I told the doctor as I saw the needle and thread coming towards me.
“You know I don't advise that, Sarge.”
But I gave him a look. A look that my old team doctor knew very well, but this one didn't.
“Tape it.” I said again. Not even feeling the pain.
The third period was a few minutes in when I got back to the bench. My line was on the ice and I just needed a change to get out there. There was no way in hell I was going to let him get away with thinking he could do what he just pulled.
He feigned an accident, but I could see the smirk on his face when I stood back up from the ice. They weren't going to win this game with Jonesy and Reeds on fire, so they had to level the playing field by taking me out.
But fuck that. I was still here.
“How you feeling, Sarge?” Coach called behind me on the bench.
“Ready coach. Ready right now.” I slammed my stick into the back of the boards.
“You OK, Sarge?” Jonesy's face looked like a puppy that had just been kicked.
“Yeah kid. Keep your head in the game. I'll take care of it.” I took a sip of Gatorade, moving my eyebrow up and down just to make sure it still worked. It was starting to swell. I could feel it getting tighter even if I didn't feel the pain, I was too amped.
My body was raging. I was usually cool on the ice, but a stick to the face? It was so close to my eye it could have caused damage. And I couldn't even think of what Lucy was going through right now. That thought alone made me want to knock all his teeth out.
Lucy had a foul mouth and I loved it, she was fiery and spunky. But seeing someone you're dating get hurt in a very public setting, people cheering for it, people laughing about it, drunk guys wanting more of it. It could feel scary and treacherous and I honestly didn't know how she would react.
“Change.” Coach yelled.
I nearly flew off the bench onto the ice just looking for the #96.
The crowd erupted, just waiting for a fight.
But I knew he wasn't going to go with me.
I would just have to teach him a lesson with my skills.
I could keep it clean while still making him remember why you didn't mess with me. Why you didn't mess with my team.
Reeds, Jonesy and Colton were setting up plays but the other teams' goalie was on fire.
He kept blocking shots but they kept setting them up.
Blades on the ice scraped up the surface leaving hard worn groves and shaved ice from the ferocious way we dug in.
My eyes were darting behind them at all times.
They were sharks on the water and they had a taste for blood.
That's when I saw my in. Luca Daglia, #96, was about to hard check Colton who was trying to get the puck out from the boards.
I could tell it in his speed. He was gunning for him, no one there to stop him but me.
I got my skates under me and hauled ass.
His head was up, focused on Colton, and feet away when I slammed into him.
The stadium roared, but I didn't hear the cheers, only felt the vibration. I could hear the grunt. Could hear the crack of my shoulder pad as I used all my body weight to knock Luca on his ass. His groan lingered in my ears as he slid to the wall.
I didn't stay to watch him get up. But as the whistle didn't blow, I knew he wasn't hurt, just reminded why you didn't fuck with me. I still wasn't feeling the pain, but satisfaction.
I wasn't a violent man, unless I had to be.
Three minutes later Reeds scored a goal. There was a high on the ice. My team knew I was there, knew I was on my feet and protecting them. They had the assurance I had their back so they could do their jobs. Win.
Luca wasn't a problem after my check. He skated slower, the aggression unable to outlast the pain I knew he was feeling.
We won.
The locker room was a buzz with the win.
“Oh shit, Sarge!” Reeds clapped me on the back as the Doctor was shooting Novocaine into my scalp.
“Oh, my girl is getting it tonight.” Brennan humped the air.
“Thanks for that, Sarge. He was coming hard for me tonight.” Colton sat in his cubby with bags of ice taped to his knees.
“That guy is a pain. He tried to lick me.” Murph threw his gloves to the Equipment Manager shaking his head.
The coach came in the locker room. “Good job tonight, boys. I liked the fire. Enjoy your win tonight. Eight a.m. practice tomorrow. Sarge, way to show this team how to win.” He patted me on the shoulder.
The doctor shook his head, annoyed I was getting pushed around when he was stitching me up. I had to hold a rag on my eye to prevent the blood from dripping into it as it only slowed, but didn't stop with the steri strips that were there before. It was only three stitches. Practically nothing.
I took a cool shower, dressed quickly and made it to the hallway where I hoped Lucy was still waiting for me.
I didn't think she would leave after the violence, especially being a hot head herself.
But a part of me was nervous as I searched for her.
The other WAGS waiting for their player to go home and get some action. I didn't see her until the very end.
Lucy was propped up against the wall, waving goodbye to Nina and staring me down. Her body was tense, but she had this little smirk on her face.
“Hi.” I smiled as much as I could as some parts of my face felt stiff from the injection.
“How ya doing?” She took the bag from my hand and slung it over her shoulder.
I protested but she gave me a look and took a step away from me when I went to take it back.
“I'm OK, really, Lucy. I can hold my bag.”
“Hph.” She huffed. “Good game tonight, congrats on the win.”
She dropped my bag on the floor and touched my cheek with her hand. She grabbed my chin and tilted it to the side so she could see the stitches. She ran a finger along the skin but I couldn't feel it.
“It's only three stitches.”
“Oh good, I only worry when it is five or more.” She rolled her eyes.
I pulled her into me by the loop in her pants.
I loved seeing her in my shirt. I could smell the mint on her breath.
Her body was so soft and warm against me.
I wanted to race home and strip her down, kiss every inch of her body and make her call my name again.
And again. And then one more time for good luck.
She stood on her toes and kissed just near the stitches and I almost melted at her feet.
Oh, this woman.
“Is she kissing it better for you?” A mocking voice came from over my shoulder
I knew it was Luca. Both dressing rooms funneled out to the parking lot at the same place.
Lucy's body tensed against me.
“Real fucking funny. Just get on your bus and go and enjoy your loss.” I didn't even look at him, just nuzzled my face into Lucy's hair. She smelt so good.
“Are you #96?” She pushed me away and stepped to the side, completely in Luca's path.
Her force undid me. I couldn't believe what I was watching, like a switch had flipped the moment she realized who was poking the bear. I looked her up and down, knowing exactly who she turned into and it made me incredibly hard, it was Lucifer.
“Sorry, sweetie. Did I hurt your big hockey stud?” Luca chuckled.
“That's enough, Luca.” I turned now, staring at Lucy.
“You think you're so fucking cute, don't you?” She barked at him. Her voice echoing in the concrete tunnel. The few remaining players turning their attention to the raised voice. Waiting in the wings to see if there were needed to break up a fight.
I placed a hand on her shoulder but she brushed it off. And damn, it was an arrow to my heart in the best possible way. She was in no way about to let me hold her back. She was standing up to this guy all on her own. Standing up to him for me.
“Well?” She yelled again at him.
Luca looked a little taken back. I'm sure he wanted to ruffle my feathers and move to the bus, but she wasn't letting him.
“You gonna let her fight your battles, Sarge?” He huffed, but his eyes showed worry.
“She can take you.” I laughed, enjoying the way he was squirming under Lucy's fired gaze. Her bravado held this power over him and I couldn't look away.
“I don't know who you think you are, but maybe you should learn how to play hockey instead of being dirty.” She took another step towards him.
I hooked my finger into the loop of her pants. She looked like she was about to lunge and I didn't want any real trouble. I couldn't be sure if Luca was the kind of asshole that would swing on a woman.
“You got a real nasty mouth. You like when she talks to you that way, Sarge?” He kept trying to get me to pick a fight with him, like I would just step in front of her. He was afraid of her.
“Yeah, I do.” I smiled.
“Why do you keep looking at him. I'm right fucking here, you're gonna answer to me.” She took another step and I had to hold onto her. She swatted at my hand, but still started Luca down.
“Jesus, Sarge you gonna sick your bitch on me?” Luca looked terrified.
“What did you just call me?” Lucy exploded.
Luckily, I could feel her about to spring and I wrapped my arms around her waist, hauling her backwards.
“I would leave.” I nodded to Luca, who skirted past us and shuffled to his team's bus.
“All right, all right.” I whispered in Lucy's ear.
She pushed my arms off. “Let go!” And stormed in a circle.
For a second I thought she would chase after him, but she thought better of it.
“You didn't need to hold me back!” She pointed her finger at me.
“Let's get in the car.” My heart was racing. She was feral and I wanted nothing more than to let her scratch me.
“Don't tell me what to do.” Her voice was calmer, but still not exactly calm. She paced to the wall and back again, trying to regulate her body that was spiraling.
“Car.” I said firmly, picking up my bag.
I grabbed her hand, which she tried to pull away from, but I didn't let her.