Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“Nah, it’s cool,” Theo says. “We’re just fucking with you. We know you wouldn’t do Kat dirty.”
A beat passes between us before Travis’ phone dings with a new message. “Kat wants us to meet her at the SAC to play air hockey. You guys down?”
“Yeah, I guess. I’m hungry,” Theo says. “Tell Kat to meet us in the cafeteria first. And make sure she brings some cash with her. I’m out.”
“If dad finds out that you’re placing bets, he’ll kick your ass,” Travis yells. “You’re such a dumb ass. Don’t go gambling away your trust fund on sports betting. Remember what happened to Uncle Steve?”
Theo nods. “Yes, Dad. I won’t do it again.”
Travis snorts. “You know I’m right. Stop jerking off and focus on the team.”
Theo rolls his eyes at his brother. “My game is fine, thank you very much.”
“What do you think happens to players that take bets on their team? Think with your head for once. If you get kicked off the team, there goes your shot at the NHL, and Dad will kill you if you blow it over a stupid bet.”
“Okay, enough fighting, boys.”
Sometimes, the Baldwin twins go at each other like this for hours. I’m usually stuck in the middle and have to break up their arguments. The Baldwins all seem to have one thing in common—their tempers. Must be what makes them such good hockey players.
I slide my legs off the edge of the bed. “Let me take a shower first.”
At least for now, my relationship with Theo and Travis is secure. My heart is still racing from the twins bursting into my bedroom, waking me from a sound sleep. I can’t handle the stress of keeping my feelings for Kat from her brothers.
I have to forget about last night. Maybe it’s best if we both pretend it never happened. We can’t kiss like that ever again, not if we want to remain friends.
Chapter Five
DEAN
We have this game in the bag. When my team stepped onto the ice today, there was never a doubt in my mind. Maintaining possession of the puck for the last few seconds of the game, I move left and past my opponent, switching to my weak side. My teammates bang their sticks against the player’s bench, the sounds echoing from a distance. A beat passes where I freeze-frame my surroundings, taking a mental picture so that I can relive this victory forever.
Ten, nine, eight seconds…
I dodge the man to my right and pass the puck to Theo to take the shot. He makes it in time, the goal horn blaring as the game ends. Once again, the Strickland Senators are the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey champions. All year, my team prepares for the Frozen Four, and for the last three years, we have earned the bragging rights that come with sweeping everyone in the league.
I skate over to my teammates to celebrate another title. Slapping them on the back, I pull each player into a hug and take in this moment. This is my last year as their captain.
While I was confident we would win, there were a few plays made by the other team that had me doubting a three-peat. But only for a split second. It’s hard enough to win a championship once, let alone three years in a row. The last time the Senators strung this many victories together Nick Baldwin was the captain.
“We did it, bro. Another championship.” Theo flashes a smile at me and wipes the sweat dripping off his forehead with the back of his hand.
“That shot off the post will go down in the record books for one of the sickest in NCAA history,” Travis adds.
I shake my head, laughing. “I doubt that. Watch me do something like that in the NHL and then maybe people will talk about it.”
“Stop being so modest. You’re a shoe-in for the Draft,” Travis says, releasing me from his grip. “Dad even mentioned you last night.”
Nick Baldwin is a commentator for the NHL Network. Travis’ words bring a goofy smile to my lips. Hoping you have a shot at the NHL is one thing but having Nick confirm those beliefs is another. And hearing news like this on a day like today makes it even sweeter.
“Nice,” I say, nonchalant, even though I’m beaming on the inside.
After I finish up with the twins, I skate over to the bench, where Kat is waiting for me. She throws her arms around my sweaty neck and smacks a kiss on my cheek.
“You did it again, Dean. I’m so proud of you. You were unbelievable today.”
I strip the gloves from my hands and drop them onto the ice. “Thanks, Kitten. I couldn’t have done it without you cheering me on in the stands.”
Kat pins me down with her bright blue irises. “I was sending you positive vibes the entire game.”