CHAPTER 14 #2
“He gave me the wrong directions on purpose,” I say, sitting up straighter in my chair, feeling the anger bubbling back up. “He wanted me to crash into the boards. What kind of captain does that?”
Hayes scoffs, rolling his eyes. “I told you the right directions eventually. If you had any common sense—”
“Oh, so now you’re calling me stupid?” I snap, turning to glare at him. My fists clench in my lap, and it takes everything in me not to get up and start swinging again. “God, you’re so full of yourself you can’t even realize how stupid you sound.”
Coach Rivera slams his hand down again, silencing us both. “I said enough.”
We both shut up, but the tension between us is palpable. Hayes is still smirking, that same smug look he always has when he knows he’s gotten to me, and I can feel the anger boiling beneath my skin.
“What is this about?” Coach Rivera snaps, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “What were you two doing? We have a home game in less than two weeks, and instead of practicing—thinking of useful ways to beat our opponent—you’re fighting?” He scoffs. “What are you, ten?”
“We’re sorry, Coach,” I say, biting down on my bottom lip as the shame finally starts to settle in.
“You’re sorry?” His gaze hardens. “Is that all you have to say?” He shakes his head. “You’re the best players on my team. I’ve watched both of you play since peewee. You’re bigger than this. I thought you two were friends.”
Friends, huh?
“Hayes.” Coach turns to him, eyes unyielding. “You’re the captain of this team. That comes with responsibility. You lead by example—you don’t start fights. If I hear about you pulling a stunt like that again, I’ll bench you for the next game.”
Hayes opens his mouth to argue, but Coach shuts him down with a glare sharp enough to freeze him in place.
“Am. I. Clear?”
Hayes’ jaw tightens, teeth grinding as he nods once. “Yeah. Crystal.”
“Good.” Coach shifts his attention to me. “And you, Miller. I don’t know what happened between you two—whether there’s history or unfinished business—but I know you’re trying to prove yourself. You don’t do that by fighting your team captain. You’re here to be part of this team. Act like it.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, swallowing the response burning at the back of my throat. There’s no point arguing—not with Coach Rivera looking like he’s one breath away from benching us both for the season.
“Let me make one thing clear,” he continues, voice low and final. “I don’t care what happened before. I don’t care about your rivalry. I care about this team. And if either of you puts your ego before it again, you’re both out. No exceptions.”
The words land heavy, final. Coach Rivera doesn’t make empty threats.
“Now get the hell out of my office before I change my mind about letting either of you play.”
I stand first, shooting Hayes one last glare before storming out. I don’t know how we’re supposed to move forward from this—but one thing’s for damn sure.
I’m not letting Hayes win.
Not on the ice.
And definitely not off it.
As I turn to leave, I hear Hayes mutter something under his breath. It takes everything in me not to spin around and start the fight all over again. But I keep walking—fists clenched, heart pounding—telling myself he isn’t worth it.
“You know this is all your fault.”
Hayes’ voice stops me cold.
I turn around slowly. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”
I take a few angry steps toward him, my blood boiling.
“What?” He smirks, lifting one eyebrow. “You deaf or something?”
I glance down the hallway toward Coach Rivera’s office. If this turns physical again, we’re both screwed. I can’t risk getting kicked off the team because Hayes knows exactly how to push my buttons.
“Stay the fuck away from me,” I warn.
“Oh yeah?” he snaps. “Everything was fine until you joined my team.” Each word drips with venom.
“What did you think was gonna happen? That you’d suddenly be the shit?
That people would give a fuck about you?
” He steps closer, eyes dark. “I can see right through you, Miller. You try so hard to act tough, but deep down, you know I own your stupid ass.”
I laugh, sharp and humorless. “Oh, fuck you, Hayes. Maybe shut up for once and actually listen to the bullshit you’re spewing, you arrogant piece of shit.
” I step forward, refusing to back down.
“You and I both know that without daddy’s money, you’re just another nobody trying desperately to prove he’s better than everyone else. ”
His jaw tightens.
“News flash, Griffin,” I add, smirking as I watch the anger flare in his eyes. “Nobody gives a fuck about you.”
That does it.
“Back the fuck up,” I say, my voice low and deadly. “Give me ten feet, or I swear I’ll break your fucking nose—and every bone in your body.”
I lean in just enough to make sure he hears every word.
“And just so you know? The kid you used to hit four years ago is gone. You wanna test me, try fucking with me again and find out.”
I hold his gaze for a beat longer.
For a split second—just one—something flickers across Hayes’s face.
Not anger.
Not arrogance.
Something tighter. Sharper. Like I’ve hit a nerve he didn’t expect me to find.
His smirk falters—not gone, just… delayed. His jaw clenches hard, muscles ticking as if he’s grinding his teeth down on something bitter. His eyes darken, not with rage, but with something that looks dangerously close to recognition.
Then it’s gone.
The smug mask snaps back into place like it was never cracked at all.
I don’t wait to see what else might slip. I turn and walk away, heart pounding, anger still burning through my veins—but my head still intact.