Pucking Only (Night Hawks Hockey #2)

Chapter Two The Weak Side

CHAPTER TWO: THE WEAK SIDE

CARSON

“Monroe, you need to be faster catching them in the left corner. That’s your weak side!”

I tighten my grip on my stick and give a quick nod in Coach’s general direction. I didn’t even miss that last puck, but Coach is sharp-eyed enough to spot a chink in any of his player’s armor before they even realize it’s there.

“Again!” Coach calls out to the line of players in front of me. Jensen is right in front and shoots the first puck. His hits are always powerful and accurate, which makes him a great opponent to practice against.

He pulls his stick back and whacks the puck as hard as he can. It comes soaring through the air. It is moving so fast it’s hard to track, but I block it just before it can make it past me into the net. I catch Jensen’s grin, but I don’t have time to revel in the small victory before other pucks are flying at me.

The relentless string of flying pucks becomes a blur as I push my body to its limits, launching myself from one side of the net to the other, stretching every muscle in a desperate attempt to deflect each puck. As they come faster and faster, adrenaline courses through my veins. I stay on my toes, not allowing myself a moment's rest.

"Stay focused, Monroe!" Coach yells out, his voice cutting through the loud slap of pucks against the ice. "These guys aren’t going to go easy on you just because you’re their teammate. Show them what you're made of!"

I hear Jensen laughing. It's infectious. Before long I find myself chuckling between breaths. Jensen has been my best friend since we played hockey together in college. He can be intimidating to anyone who doesn’t know him, or who is facing him down on the ice, given his size. Truthfully, he’s really one of the most considerate guys I’ve ever met. There’s only ever been one low point in our friendship. That was when he started hooking up with my sister behind my back. When I found out, I wanted to mess up his pretty boy face so badly. But, he loves Grace and he’s good to her, so I had to make my peace with it, even though…gross. A few things are different now, of course…like I call him by his first name instead of Reece. It feels more appropriate now that we’re practically family.

Still, eww.

Jensen’s next puck is fast and unpredictably angled; reacting solely on instinct, I throw myself towards it, successfully knocking it away from the net. Each successful save brings with it a momentary thrill, a quick jolt of satisfaction that fuels me to keep going.

After what feels like an eternity, Coach blows his whistle, signaling the end of practice. The tension in my muscles eases instantly. Sweat trickles down my face as my heart continues to pound.

"Good work today boys," Coach calls out over the din of collective panting and laughter. "I think we’re more than ready to take on Atlanta next week. ”

The team starts to skate toward the tunnel to the locker rooms and I follow after, pulling my helmet and mask off, sucking in a deep breath. When I reach the locker room, I shed my pads and gear until I’m down to my compression shirt and pants. My dark hair is soaked in sweat and plastered to my forehead. I push it back to keep it from getting in my eyes.

“Yo, Carson! Great practice, man!”

I look up and meet Zander’s green gaze. He’s standing at his own locker, digging out his shampoo and beard oils. He’s about the only person on the team who I have to tilt my head back so I can meet his eyes.

“Hey, thanks man,” I reply.

He shoves his hands through his blonde hair. “You’re really looking good out there, man. I’m glad you’re not letting last month get you down.”

I grin and shrug. “Just in the zone, I guess.”

Zander moves past me toward the shower, clapping me on the shoulder. One by one, the rest of the team filters in and out of the showers as well. I get a few more compliments for my performance during practice and a couple slaps on my shoulder. It feels good to be recognized for the hard work I’ve been putting into my game. I knew I needed to step things up after some rough losses last month that, despite my teammates’ assurances, I felt were on me.

I quickly take my own shower, grab a towel and wrap it around my waist as I make my way to my locker. Jensen is at his locker next to mine and claps me on the shoulder when I come to a stop beside him.

“Hey, good practice today,” he tells me. “I was giving you my all and you were taking it like a champ.”

I shoot him a grin. “Any loads you can dish out, I can take my friend. ”

Jensen wrinkles his nose. “Gross. You are gross.”

I wink at him. “You love it.”

“I really don’t,” he insists. “Anyway, don’t forget that you’re coming over to Grace’s place for dinner tonight.”

I nod, ignoring how weird it still is to have my best friend inviting me to my own sister’s apartment. Not just my sister, my twin sister. He’s known her less than a year. I refuse to count that week they were together in Miami, because he didn’t even know her real name then!

As for Grace and I, we’ve got that special bond that only twins have. We might not always agree or share the same interests, but we’re linked in a way that no one can break, not even Jensen. Grace and I are two halves of the same whole — which is why it’s super fucking weird that her boyfriend is inviting me to her place!

“Don’t worry, I didn’t forget,” I assure him. “I’ll be there.”

“Good,” he states. “Because if you don’t show up, Grace will have my ass.”

I chuckle at that. “Well, now I’m oddly tempted not to show…”

He punches me in the arm. “Don’t even think about it.”

“I’m kidding,” I tell him. “I’ll be there. No worries.”

It’s a little strange for us to be hanging out at Grace’s place because she’s mostly at Jensen’s at this point. I’ve paid the rent on the apartment through the year, but I’m thinking I won’t have to renew it as the two have mentioned moving in together officially sooner rather than later.

While dinner with my sister and Jensen isn’t the worst way to spend an evening. There is a part of me that’s hesitant to go, despite my assurances that I will. I can’t quite explain why. Being around them and watching them be a happy couple makes me feel…left out. Like a third wheel. On top of that, I’m filled with a strange sort of longing. If I didn’t know any better, I’ d almost think I was jealous of the two of them and the happiness they've found with each other. But that can’t be right. I don’t want a relationship…I never really have.

So what reason could I possibly have to be jealous of them? It baffles me.

“See you at seven,” Jensen says, breaking me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Don’t be late.”

“I won’t be,” I say, waving my hand dismissively. “I’ll be there, seven o’clock, on the dot.”

It’s nearly seven thirty when I reach Grace’s door. My heart is hammering and the collar of my button-up feels too tight. I tug at it before taking a deep breath, raising my fist to knock. I steel myself for the ass-chewing I’m certain I’m going to get. Grace is such a stickler for being on time. I’m just the opposite, so I know exactly what’s waiting for me on the other side of this door.

At least, I thought I did.

The door opens and my sister is standing in front of me. Her blue gaze is locked on my face as I quickly start to babble my excuses.

“I’m sorry I’m late! I was playing COD, which I know is a terrible excuse, but I couldn’t just quit…”

“Hey, no worries!” Grace declares with a wide smile. “You’re here now and that’s all that matters. Come in!”

“Huh?” I mumble, completely caught off guard by her reaction, or lack thereof, to my tardiness. My type A twin has become more laid back since she’s been with Jensen, but she’d still usually give me grief for being so late. She steps aside to give me room to walk through the door. I hesitantly enter her apartment, eyeing her the whole way inside. Her apartment is open concept, with the kitchen area and living room area flowing into one shared space. A hallway next to the kitchen leads to the bathroom and bedroom. It’s quaint, clean, and organized to the point that I know Grace would notice if I moved one item slightly out of place.

“Hey, Monroe!” Jensen exclaims from the kitchen area. “You made it!”

Again, no lecture about being late. No annoyed glares or eye rolls. No nagging about respecting other people’s time.

What the hell is going on?

“Do you want a beer?” Grace asks, coming up to stand beside me.

I face her and grab her slim shoulders, holding her still as I examine her face. Looking into her blue eyes often makes me feel as if I’m looking at my own reflection. She has my face…except it’s softer along the jaw. Her nose is slimmer, her forehead less pronounced, and her lips plumper than mine.

So, my face if it was a girl’s face.

Still, the similarities in our appearances are something I’m used to unless I’m studying her expression as closely as I am right now.

“What are you doing?” she asks with a furrowed brow.

“Rosy cheeks, unclouded gaze,” I murmur. “You don’t appear sick, drunk, or high. So something else must be up.”

“Have you lost it completely?” she groans.

I let her go and fold my arms across my chest. “Something’s going on. What is it? What are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding anything,” she insists. “What’s wrong with you? You just saw me yesterday at your practice. You’re acting weird.”

She’s trying to distract me, I can tell. Something’s going on. Crap, did I go viral for something again? I don’t think I’ve done anything scandalous lately. Ever since Grace took over my social media, I’ve had a fairly clean online presence. Now and then, someone might take a video of me in a club or getting a little too rowdy at a bar. Grace has gotten busy. I’m not her only client anymore - she’s taken on three other Night Hawks, as well as a local bodybuilder - but she’s always attentive to what’s happening to me online.

If that’s not why she’s acting so strange, then what is the reason?

“My twin senses are tingling,” I tell her. “You’re up to something.”

“Whatever weirdo,” she replies. Her eyes dart from mine and she turns to hurry to Jensen by the stove. “The lasagna’s about done. Did you want that beer or not?”

“Of course I want the beer,” I grumble. “I also want the truth! What are you two up to?”

Grace and Jensen exchange a quick look before Jensen replies, “Sheesh, you’re paranoid. Why would we be up to anything? Want some bread?”

He grabs a basket from the counter filled with pieces of garlic bread and holds it out to me as I stalk closer to them. His other hand rests on Grace’s hip and gives it a squeeze.

“Stop trying to distract me with carbs and booze.” I lightly smack the basket out of my face. “Spill, now, or I’m turning around and walking right back out that door. Then who will you get to eat half that lasagna?”

The two share another look. Grace releases a long breath, her shoulders sagging in apparent defeat.

“Okay,” she says, looking back at me. “I’ve actually got some really exciting news, but I don’t know how to tell you without you getting weird…”

“Are you pregnant?” I cry out, my eyes darting between the two of them before landing on Jensen. “Did you knock up my sister? You better make an honest woman out of her, you son of a bitch, or I swear to Baby Jesus himself…”

“Carson, I’m not pregnant!” Grace shrieks. “What is wrong with you, you idiot? I talked to Skyler earlier today and she’s going to come visit for a couple of weeks!”

Jensen is biting his lip. His cheeks are bright pink. The corners of his eyes are crinkled as he clearly fights not to burst into laughter.

It takes me a moment to process Grace’s words.

“Wait…Skyler’s coming here?” I stammer at length.

She nods, her lips curling into a wide smile. It’s obvious Grace is thrilled. Why wouldn’t she be? Skyler is her best friend, has been since they were practically babies.

My relationship with Skyler is more…complex.

I haven’t seen her in years. We haven’t really been face to face since high school apart from a few occasional encounters like graduations and a random Christmas or Easter. Schedules got busier as we got further into our college years and careers. Unlike Grace, we weren’t close friends in a way that requires us to stay in touch... Now that she’s coming to Denver, I won’t be able to avoid interacting with her. All we ever seem to do when we’re around each other is fight.

She’s such a pain in the ass!

“Why is she coming here?” I ask.

“She’s coming to observe the Night Hawks for a while to help her develop a new video game she’s working on,” Grace explains. “So she’s going to be around the team quite a bit too.”

“I see.” Okay, that makes sense…but I’m not really sure how to feel about it. There’s always been a weird kind of tension between Skyler and I. I can never be fully relaxed around her. Even though we grew up together, I always have to be on my toes when she is around. We seem to only ever bicker and fight. I genuinely want to hang out with her and be friends. I just can’t seem to keep myself from poking the bear. It’s as if I want to piss her off and pick a fight. I have no logical explanation as to why that is.

Skyler McKenzie drives me crazy and makes me act like an absolute idiot. It would really be best for me to avoid her. If she’s staying here, spending time with the team, it will be all but impossible to do so.

“Carson, I need you to promise me that you won’t be a dick to her,” Grace snaps, as if she’s able to read my mind. “I haven’t seen her in months and I don’t want you doing anything to ruin her visit. She’s going to be here for work, so you can’t do anything that might put her job at risk.”

She’s got her eyes narrowed and is wagging a finger at me. I hold up my hands and make my eyes as wide and innocent-looking as I can.

“I won’t do anything,” I assure her. “I’ll be a perfect gentleman, I promise.”

Grace glares at me for several moments as if she’s struggling to believe me.

At length, she nods. “All right…I’m choosing to believe you. But, if you break your promise, I will sneak into your apartment in the middle of the night and strangle you in your sleep, got it?”

Part of me thinks she might be serious.

“Scout’s honor,” I declare.

When Grace finally turns from me to get the lasagna, I release a long breath. Jensen winks at me then tosses me a beer. I crack it open and take a deep drink.

Skyler McKenzie.

The one girl I will never touch, but the only girl who I can never fully get out of my head. I haven’t seen her in so long. I’m sure our reunion is not going to be a touchy-feely one. When it comes to Skyler, I never know exactly where I stand. That leaves me feeling off-balance.

I’ve known her since we were in diapers. For most of my life I thought of her like a sister. In high school, things between us changed and became strained. It only got worse from there. Now, I have no clue how to be around her without letting things get hostile.

Whether she decides to love me or hate me, the next few weeks are going to be like a minefield. I just have to pray I don’t take a wrong step.