Page 50 of Rules Of Our Own
The gym doors crash open, and one of the team’s assistant coaches steps through. “Hey, Coach Sutherland wants to see you. Both of you.”
A thrill travels through my chest. There’s been rumors of me becoming the captain, and I haven’t had it in me to hope. I understood why they gave the title to Lucas in university, but I fucking wanted it then. I still want it now. Thank God they traded Sidney’s dad after one season—that guy was a complete dick.
“Get up. Can’t keep Coach waiting.” River reaches down to me, his hand held out between us. For the first time since I’ve known him, his gaze is to the side of my head, not meeting mine. There’s a pink flush up his neck and over his cheeks. I can’t tell if it’s from the workout or whatever just happened between us.
“Do you think it’ll be good news?”
He yanks me to my feet, and a hint of a smile curves his lips. “Fuck knows we could use some.”
River’s shoulders are relaxed as he strides out of the gym. Any of the awkwardness that was between us is now gone, almost like nothing happened.Don’t be a fucking idiot, Alex. Nothing did happen. Bodies naturally react.Can’t fucking help it.
Great, now I’m the one with pent-up energy. I wish Mia was here so I could fuck her against the wall, letting her whimpers and moans clear my mind.
“Hurry up.” River calls from the door he holds open for me, and I shake myself out of it.
“Yeah, buddy. I’m coming.” I jog out, pulling my shirt on as I head for the coach’s office.
* * *
As soon as I walk into the room, I know something’s off. Damon Everette, the team owner, sits at one end of the small conference table with crossed arms. Misty’s on his right, gaze laser focused on the thin folder that lies open between them.
Fuck me. The glimmer of hope he’s here to bestow the captaincy disintegrates the second he glares up at me. I hit on his nieceone time, not knowing who she was, and the man has never let it go. How was I supposed to know she was off-limits? Plus, I didn’t even fucking sleep with her. I haven’t told him that—it’s always been too much fun seeing him get pissed—but there’s nothing fun about what’s about to go down.
“Sit.” His voice is flat, neutral, but there’s no missing the command.
I plop down instantly across from Misty, and River takes the spot on my left. I take a brief moment to look her over. As the head social media manager for the team, I’ve seen her at work a few times, but I’m always amazed by the outfits she comes up with. Today, her hair is pulled into a multicolored twist bun thing, and she’s wearing a sunshine-yellow dress. It’s just too fucking bad none of that sunshine glow is showing on her face.
“Alex, do you know why I called you in?” Coach asks from the far end of the table. His tone is nothing like I’d hoped.Where’s the congratulatory pat on the back and take a seat, son.
I swallow hard. “Not sure, Coach. Congratulations on being the player of the year?”
Damon’s eyes narrow at my remark. Fuck, why can’t I keep my mouth shut. He steeples his fingers in front of him. “I suggest you drop the cocky act if you want to get through this.”
I feel River tense beside me. He leans forward as if he’s putting himself between me and the owner. I feel the heat emanating from River’s body as he looms over me, his powerful presence commanding my attention. I can almost feel its intensity radiating off him.
Misty clears her throat, cutting through the thick air, and all eyes turn to her. “I think what Damon was trying to say—”
Damon?They’re on a first-name basis?
“—is that the Bruins are going in a different direction this year. In the past, it’s all been about the game, but with how things are progressing with social media, fans want to see their players on and off the ice.”
“I’ve got an Instagram,” I say.
The owner huffs out a breath, but Misty keeps going before he can say anything.
“That’s sorta the problem. Your Instagram is basically you partying and surrounded by girls. Our rebrand is all about the team being family friendly and community focused. Right now, you don’t fit that.” She glances my way, and there’s a hint of disparagement written in her gaze.
Heat crawls up my neck. They’re calling me out, and they aren’t wrong. Well, they weren’t wrong. Whether Mia’s here or not, I won’t be going back to that lifestyle. Not after I’ve seen what I really want. There’s just one thing I don’t understand. “Why’s River here?”
“That was my idea,” Coach interjects. “I need you to understand how serious this is. We’re cutting someone this year, and—” He glances at Damon, who nods. Coach winces as he delivers the blow. “—we won’t think twice about cutting you.”
“What the actual fuck? And what’s your plan? Get River to babysit me?”
Damon’s voice is cold when it cuts through the room. “You’ve given us zero reason to believe you’ll get your act together without someone keeping you in check. You’re an asset we don’t want to lose. River here has proven himself to be responsible. We’re putting him in charge.”
The muscles in my back spasm, and my jaw clenches shut. I don’t want to be River’s responsibility.
“That’s not the only reason.” Misty gives me a weak smile, then faces River. “A part of this is you being more public-facing. It’s one thing to have a clean image. It’s another to be seen as approachable and friendly. It’s not just you helping Alex. It’s both of you balancing each other out.”