Chapter Five #2
Back on the ice, Louis played it cool until Isiah returned.
As soon as his enemy was within range, Louis deliberately skated close.
Took the puck. Took the hits Isiah wanted to give.
They slammed each other into the barrier.
All the while, Isiah was getting really wound up.
Nothing he did pushed Louis to fight. Everything Louis did was small.
Calculated. But enough to humiliate Isiah. Wind him up.
Push him.
Finally, Isiah had had enough when Louis got the puck again, cutting him off.
He passed it to Morgan quickly who disappeared off down the ice.
Seeing the barrier coming, Louis braced for impact.
Isiah slammed him straight into it. Louis’s head bounced, but his helmet took the brunt of it. Thankfully, he stayed on his feet.
With a roar, he took a swing at Louis. Louis laughed and stepped back.
Meanwhile, Morgan had scored another goal.
Isiah got rougher, shoving Louis, goading him into a fight.
When Louis didn’t respond, Isiah snapped his stick in frustration and took on Ajax instead.
Who did defend himself, but only with one hit.
He blocked the rest before Louis had a chance to pull him away, letting Isiah get in trouble.
Isiah got sent off again. His hands slammed the inside of the penalty box, screaming at Louis. Who just ignored him as he skated past, upsetting him even more.
The puck was on the move, and Louis got in the zone.
The end buzzer went, surprising him that the end of the game had arrived, and Isiah snarled inside the box.
Louis just waved. At least his team wouldn’t get slammed anymore.
No doubt he would need an icepack or two.
Or a hundred. His whole body ached, but as captain, it was an honour to take the brunt of it to protect his team.
Ajax skated over and patted him on the back to celebrate their win.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Louis stated. “You should have gotten out of the way.”
“Hey, I got to hit him. My revenge. Just because you’re our captain doesn’t mean you take all the risks.”
Nodding, Louis chuckled and pulled his friend into a hug. “Thanks.”
Gathering his team together, they all took it in turns to shake the other team’s hands, then did some interviews. It had been a tough game, but Louis was pleased with the win. Spencer was right behind him as they stepped off the ice and headed down the tunnel to the changing room.
“Rumour has it that Isiah is hoping to join our team,” Spencer announced, frowning.
Louis had heard that, too, and wasn’t sure how he felt about it. Isiah was an interesting player since he was very hot headed. But once he was in the zone, he was fast. And he could play very well, which would make him a strong addition to the team.
“We will see,” Louis responded. “Until then, he’s the enemy.”
Getting changed and ready to leave at record speed, Louis found himself outside the medic room. Waiting.
Checking his phone, he smiled. His sister and cousin knew him well.
Players loved their routines, and part of his was to talk to Vince and Emerald after every game.
Normally, it was a video call or phone call.
However, when he was worried, they sent messages instead, knowing his priorities lay somewhere else.
Vince: Saw Hank take a hit. How is he?
Louis had to smoother a grin. Vince liked Hank. Really liked Hank. They would be an interesting couple if it ever happened since Vince was so grumpy and quiet, while Hank was so cheerful and sociable.
If only his cousin would ask him out. Hank was clueless, and Louis had no idea what he thought of Vince since he smiled at him like he smiled at everyone.
You: Just waiting outside the door for news.
Vince: Keep me updated. I know you’re worrying, so I want to make sure YOU are okay.
Yeah. Great cover up. Making sure his cousin was fine. Not his crush. Totally.
Next, came Emerald.
Green: IS HE OKAY!! Where is Hank! Put him on the phone. Right now! RIGHT NOW!
You: I am fine by the way.
Green: Great. Cool. But Hank needs cuddles. IS HE ALIVE?
Emerald had absolutely no interest in Hank other than seeing him as a big brother. She adored Hank and panicked every time she saw someone bring him down. Like a Mama Bear, she was ready for war. She would quite happily fight a hockey player, too.
Probably win as well.
You: Yeah, he’s alive. I am just waiting to hear more.
Green: Okay. Okay. Good. Call me when you know more. And I am glad you didn’t get squished too much by that big player.
You: Isiah.
Green: How dare he hurt MY Hank.
Green: How is Spencer? He got hit, too.
Well, well, well. Emerald had now adopted another player into her little protection shield.
You: He’s fine. Eating sweets in the changing room.
Green: Phew!
Familiar footsteps came toward him from the left, and his heart fluttered.
That night at the bar, Louis had nearly lost it seeing her so scared. Rosie had relied on him to help, but he shouldn’t have been so slow. He should have noticed much sooner, way before the guy got his hands on her.
The fact that she had wanted to kiss Louis after the situation had surprised him. He guessed she had wanted some power back, and he was more than happy to give it. That kiss had been electric, and every smile she had given him since then had been so sweet.
Like she wanted more.
But they hadn’t kissed again. No, they had given each other gentle touches. Stares. Secret smiles.
Rosemary Eddison liked him. And he really liked her, too.
Since that evening, she had coached them on what to say in case the incident got out. It hadn’t. Spencer had been super quick to shut it down. In fact, he was the one that had noticed her in trouble first.
Not wanting to get in a fight that could have been recorded, he had pointed it out to Louis. Hank was up straight away to back him up. On alert, Spencer made sure phones were not pointing in their direction. No one deserved to have their fear blasted on social media.
They may not have kissed again, but she smiled more. Laughed more. Touched his arm. She was less strict and had learnt how to work with the team better. Slowly but surely, she was becoming part of the team properly, and the team were accepting her.
Morgan even started teasing her, which confused her at first. Now she teased him straight back like a little brother.
Seeing her more relaxed around them all was a massive win for Louis.
They did need her; she was excellent at her job.
However, now she was more invested in them, and it was no longer just a job to her.
“How is he?” she asked, leaning on the wall beside him.
“I don’t know,” he answered quietly. The longer Hank was in there, the longer Louis worried.
Stepping in front of Louis, Rosie opened her arms and invited him in for a hug.
He really needed it, so he took the comfort.
His big arms wrapped around her, and he absorbed her warmth.
Her fingers glided over his back which was soothing, reassuring him that everything would be okay.
Resting his nose in her hair, he inhaled. She smelt like peaches today.
He felt her chuckling. “I know you well enough now to know someone was playing a game of revenge.”
“A long game of revenge.” Louis grinned. “I had to make sure I didn’t get in trouble. He hurt my best friend. Our goalie. That is a big no no. No doubt Isiah will come after me in our next game, but I will be expecting it. Waiting.”
“That isn’t good, Louis. Isiah is notorious for hitting hard.”
“I don’t think he wants to, which means he’s not hitting as hard as he could. I have seen the pain on his face when he does it. Likely, it is a team tactic. Regardless, the more focused he is on me, the less focused he is on the game. Or on the others.”
“But you won’t be focused, either,” she pointed out.
“You will be surprised by how prepared I can be. Don’t you worry about me, I will be absolutely fine.”
Sighing, she snuggled in more. Which was when Morgan and Ajax popped round the corner.
“Hey, Captain. How’s . . .” Morgan trailed off, staring. His mouth was wide open in shock.
Ajax gasped and pointed. “He’s made an unnatural alliance!”
Yeah, she may be more part of the team, but it didn’t mean she was everyone’s best friend. Of course it would shock them to see their captain hugging the one that made them do interviews, also known as their worst enemy.
Screaming, Morgan held his hands to his cheeks. Very dramatic.
Louis rolled his eyes.
Rosie just laughed. “You two are silly.”
They both stared. Morgan started looking underneath everything. “Where is the real Harpy and what have you done with her?”
“Would you care if she came back if I am nicer?” Rosie asked sweetly.
“Heck yes, we would!” Ajax responded. “She’s on our team. Angry at us or not. We look out for our team. This isn’t natural. You’re not shouting at us.”
Louis watched Rosie and saw her soften at them saying she was part of the team. Acknowledging her. That they would miss her and worry about her.
“I can if you want?” she offered.
Ajax gave her a thumbs up. “That would be great. I need to make sure we are not in some dodgy alternate dimension.”
Letting go of Louis, even though he tried to cling on to make her laugh, she stood up straight and faced them. Her hands went to her hips and her expression became serious. “What do you two think you were doing picking a fight?”
Sighing happily, Ajax said, “Normality has resumed.”
“Great. Can I go back to my hug?” Rosie asked.
Louis had his arms open to accept her.
“You may proceed, New Harpy.” Morgan bowed to her with a flourish of hands.
“Wonderful.” Rosie hugged Louis again and he smiled, content.
Spencer was next round the corner. “Any news?”
Shaking his head, Louis said, “Not yet.”
Poking Spencer, Morgan then waved at Louis and Rosie. “Are you not concerned about this?”