novelxo The Faceoff: Chapter 20
As I sit on the bench, dressed in my gear for the game, I can’t help but let my mind wander to Eden. Last night was unexpected. Well, not entirely. I had planned the whole thing, as far as waiting for her outside after the competition was over. But our conversation wasn’t something I had expected.
I had been trying so hard to keep things at face value with her. Feelings aren’t something that can exist between the two of us. Every time I’m around her, I find a crack in the facade that is beginning to vanish altogether. It’s hard to keep my guard up around her and keep her at arm’s length—metaphorically.
Eden Finley is under my skin, she’s in my soul and she’s making herself a home inside my heart.
“Yo, you coming?” Logan’s voice calls out as he pulls me out of my thoughts. Lifting my head, I notice the locker room is completely empty, except for him standing in the doorway. He holds his helmet in one hand and his stick in the other.
“Shit,” I mumble, rising to my feet as I pull my helmet on and grab my gloves and stick. Logan waits for me by the door and doesn’t step out into the hall without me. We both head down the tunnel that leads to the rink.
Logan pauses as we reach the door, turning to face me. “What’s going on with you, King?” he questions me with a worried tone, a look of concern in his eyes. “You’ve been off lately and I’m worried about you.”
“It’s nothing,” I tell him dismissively, attempting to shrug it off. “I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with Eden Finley, does it?”
A sigh slips from my lips and I inhale deeply as I hang my head in defeat. Logan is silent, even though we both needed to be on the ice a few minutes ago. He doesn’t leave, staying by my side like he always has.
Lifting my head, my gaze meets his. “I don’t know what the fuck to do, bro.”
“Things starting to get complicated?” he asks, a smirk tugging on the corner of his lips.
“You have no fucking clue,” I mutter, shaking my head at him.
Logan puts his hand on my shoulder. “Trust me, Hayden. I know exactly how it goes and how it fucks with your head. Just be real with her, and don’t be afraid to let her in.”
“What good is that going to do? You know how I roll, Logan. I don’t get involved with girls like that. I don’t do relationships, because there’s no way I can make a commitment like that.”
“No one is telling you to sign your life over to her, Hayden,” he scoffs, rolling his eyes as he pushes me toward the ice. We both file out and begin to skate over to the bench where the guys are all sitting. “Just go with it and see what happens. You’d be surprised what might happen if you let her see the side that everyone close to you gets. Believe it or not, she might actually like you then.”
“Fuck you, Knight,” I laugh, attempting to hit him with my stick, but he ducks out of the way, hopping over the boards and onto the bench. I follow after him and we both get glares from the other guys. Coach notices us and scowls.
“Did the two of you forget that we have a game to play tonight?”
Logan and I both look up at him, but of course it’s me and my dumb ass who has to say something. “Not at all.” I instantly regret it, by the way he narrows his eyes at us. He doesn’t appreciate people not being punctual. Especially when it comes to our games. He sees it as us not taking it seriously.
“The two of you better play your asses off tonight or you can plan on not getting any game time next week.”
I open my mouth up to say something that I shouldn’t, but Logan notices it quick enough. He drives his elbow into my side and even though I can’t feel it through my pads, it’s enough to make me shut my mouth and nod.
Logan and I are the two best defensemen on our team, so we’re always on the ice together and usually we’re out first. Everyone lines up and I see August’s name and the number 19 on the back of his jersey as he leans down for the face-off.
My heart pounds rapidly in my chest, the adrenaline steadily coursing through my veins as it feels like time is suspended in air. The ref finally drops the puck and I watch as August battles with his opponent until he effectively wins the face-off, sending the puck toward Simon.
He passes it back to Logan, who skates around as one of the offensive players comes toward him. His stick slides across the ice as he effortlessly passes it past the left winger. August is right there to receive it and has a breakaway as he begins to skate toward the net. Logan and I hang back, slowly skating as we stay in our zone, and watch our guys make moves.
This is how the game usually goes, until the puck ends up back in our zone and it’s time for us to defend the goal. Asher is an exceptional goalie, but we’re always the front line, making sure no one fucks with him and that the puck stays out of our net.
We play back and forth, our team taking it down the ice, attempting a few shots at the goal, before it’s repeated on our side. This team is definitely more skilled than the one we played last week. It’s time for shift change and Logan and I skate back to the bench as Greyson and Vaughn begin to skate back to the center of the ice.
Leaning forward, I prop my elbows on my knees and watch as they line up for another face-off. The ref skates toward the middle of them, holding the puck in the air as they line up their sticks, their bodies bent forward slightly. The ref drops the puck and they fight over it until it’s won again by our team.
At least our team has a higher percentage of winning them.
I feel like since Eden entered my life, I’ve been in more face-offs than I ever have been before.
And I haven’t won a single one.
Everyone is exhausted after the game and thankfully, there are no plans made to go out. I don’t think I have it in me to go pretend to be enjoying my time getting drunk with them. It sounds really fucked up, because that’s what I’ve been doing for quite some time now, but it just isn’t as fulfilling.
As much as I love the guys—they’re practically family—I’m tired of the same old shit. I need something new and I’ve found the perfect person to occupy my time with.
And now that’s the only thing I want to do if I’m not busy with hockey.
Skipping the showers in the locker room, I drive home drenched in sweat with that lovely hockey smell no one enjoys. It’s actually a pretty gross smell. Like sweat and corn chips had a baby. Don’t question me on it, but I swear that’s what it smells like. Maybe with something musty thrown in there too.
Either way, I stink and head home to get a shower instead. Simon and Sterling both went out to get beers and food. I plan on heating up something that is left over in the fridge and passing out on the couch while watching SportsCenter. All of the guys who are wifed up don’t go out much anymore, and I’m beginning to understand why.
After showering, I find some leftover pasta in the fridge and throw it into the microwave before settling on the couch. It’s nice and quiet in the house, although it’s lonely. And not from the guys not being here… there’s something else missing.
Eden.
Reaching into the front pocket of my hoodie, I pull out my phone and unlock the screen. Last night after seeing Eden, I made sure to get her phone number. She didn’t hesitate to give it to me and I’m not hesitating to use it at this moment. Opening up my messages, I click on the icon to start a new message and select Eden’s name.
Hayden: Hey you. If you’re sleeping, I hope I didn’t wake you up.
I get half the urge to erase the entire thing and send something that doesn’t sound like I’m being too forward. How the hell do I tell her I was thinking about her without sounding like I’m obsessed… which isn’t necessarily a stretch anymore.
Turning my attention back to the TV, I lock my phone and set it on the couch beside me. It can’t be more than a minute before I notice it vibrating next to me as a new message comes through. I can’t fight the grin on my face as I pick it back up and quickly tap on it.
Eden: You didn’t wake me. How was your game tonight?
The grin is still on my face, my heart crawling into my throat. I didn’t tell her I had a game, although I’m sure she knows the game schedule with being at the rink all the time. None of that matters, though. The fact that she cared enough to take an interest is more than enough for me.
Hayden: We won. It wasn’t an easy one, but we managed. How was your night?
I see the bubbles pop up as she begins to type a response. Holding on to my phone, I set my plate of food down and ignore that and the TV as I wait for Eden to say something.
Eden: Oh, it was exhilarating. I caught up on some schoolwork and have just been laying in bed watching TV.
The image of her in bed has my cock waking up. I’ve seen how Eden looks in her bed and in my own, and that is a memory I’ll never be able to get out of my head.
Hayden: What are you wearing, baby?
Things have been getting complicated between the two of us and right now, I’m fucking horny and need to chase away the feelings she ignites inside me. It’s easier and lighter if I switch it over to something to distract both of us.
And Eden Finley just so happens to be my favorite distraction.
Eden: A tank top and boy shorts.
She doesn’t miss a beat and I fucking love it. My cock grows in my pants, thinking of her with barely anything on. I know what’s underneath those clothes and I want to feel her beneath me right now.
Hayden: Send me a pic.
Eden: In your dreams, King.
She’s feisty and her attitude has me wrapping my free hand around my cock.
Hayden: I know where you live, Finley. Don’t make me come over there uninvited.
Eden: You wouldn’t dare…
Hayden: Is that a challenge? Don’t underestimate me, baby.
My grip tightens around my cock as I continue to stroke it. I’m still home alone, but I’m about to leave and go fuck this girl into oblivion.
Eden: What if that’s what I want?
Hayden: Then you get what you want.
She doesn’t respond right away and I check my phone again, watching the bubbles appear and then disappear. Finally they pop back up and stay until she sends another message.
Eden: As much as I’d love for you to show up, Winter’s had her sister staying with us since the showcase last night. They just got back from dinner and I promised them I would watch a movie with them.
A groan falls from my lips and I tilt my head back for a moment before looking back at my phone.
Hayden: Fuck them. Come over here.
Eden: Sorry, babe, not tonight. One night this week, though?
As much as I want to argue with her, as badly as I want to go show up at her apartment and drag her out to my car, I know I can’t. There has to be boundaries, and I have to respect them. Even if it means she’s leaving me with my hand and my memories of her tonight.
Hayden: I don’t have practice on Wednesday. Come over then.
Eden: I’ll be there. And we can finish what we started tonight…
Goddamn, she really knows how to fuck with my head. I don’t know what we’re doing anymore, but we’re sure as fuck playing with fire.
And we’re bound to get burned.