Page 94 of The Draft

I knew that would come back to haunt me eventually, but I couldn’t control myself that day.

“Look, I get it. She’s cute and really nice, but coming from someone who’s been in your position before, I’d probably tell Cade sooner rather than later. I wasn’t his friend, and he held a grudge for two years. Kind of like you.” He pushed out a laugh. “Sometimes I wonder if the two of you are attached by the umbilical cord.”

“What makes you think he doesn’t know about Madison and me?”

“Because you’re walking straight,” he joked, but pursed his lips when I didn’t laugh. “I know you think you’re being discreet when you’re checking your phone or looking in her direction but, Dash, you’re a big guy. You trying to be inconspicuous is like a giraffe trying to hide in an ant museum. It’s so obvious you’ve got a girl on your brain.” He held his hand out and pointed at me. “Look at you right now. In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never been late for a game, but here we are.”

I clenched my jaw, mulling over his words because I knew he was right. Scotty knew, Henry knew, and I had no doubts that if Alex thought about it long enough, he’d see right through it too. The only person who didn’t know was Cade, and it was because I let him believe that I was fucking Sienna instead.

“You’re screwing up because you’re trying to keep a secret that’s not worth keeping.”

“What do you mean she’s not worth keeping?” I stood, feeling the same rage I did when he arrived. I knew I’d just openly admitted to him that there was something going on with Madison and me, but what did it matter? He already suspected it.

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Calm down. I didn’t mean Madison wasn’t worth keeping. I meant the secret wasn’t. You and Cade have been buddies for years. I really don’t think he’ll be ticked off that you’re making his sisterhappy. Seeing the way her face lit up when she saw you before Hockeyfest made it obvious how much she likes you. She seems a lot less anxious too.”

“Probably because she isn’t worried about her boyfriend cheating on her,” I muttered, ready to punch him at the mere memory of him doing that. What a douche.

He just gave me a wry smile. “Boyfriend, huh?”

“Why are you telling me all this? Are you planning on blackmailing me or something?” I changed the subject because having a heart-to-heart with Henry was not on my bingo card tonight.

“Blackmail? Wow, you really think badly of me, don’t you?” I grumbled as a response. “I’m not going to blackmail you. Honestly, what are you going to do for me? Try to help convince Coach to put me out there instead of Erik? I doubt that will help since you’re back here with me.”

My fists clenched, frustrated at how easy it was for Henry to annoy me without trying.

“I’m telling you this because I want to prove to you that you can trust me. I don’t want to get involved in any drama. All I want is to play hockey and win games so I can be seen by scouts.”

“So, you’re not going to tell Cade?”

He shook his head. “I’d have nothing to gain. It’s going to screw up the team dynamic, and like I said, I’m not here to create any drama. I’m just letting you know that I’m going to feign ignorance to the whole thing.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled, not sure how to respond. I was angry at myself today, and it was coming out in all kinds of ways.

Henry sighed before standing and walking back to his locker.

“Henry.”

He looked over his shoulder but didn’t turn around.

“You’re a great player. I have no doubt you’ll get drafted at the end of the season.” I fully expected my words to taste like poison, but they didn’t. Maybe I wasn’t as angry at Henry as I thought. I had Madison now, so what was the point in holding a grudge against him?

He rolled his head to the front and huffed out a sarcastic breath. “Thanks. Now, if only I could convince Coach to play me.”

“He’ll play you in the next game.”

“Oh, yeah? What makes you think that?”

“It’s against Southern Collegiate, and you hate them, right?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s how Coach Hansen works. He’s just warming you up by letting you stew in your anger. Do well in that game, and you’ll be fine.”

“If you say so.”

Leaning against my locker, I watched the players walk in, celebrating their win. One I had no part in because I didn’t get called up. The idea of doing post-game stretches felt moronic, so I decided to check my phone to see if Madison had woken up yet.

No messages.