Page 15 of Penalty Shots

She's not saying the word. But I can practically read it on her face as she looks at me.

Liar.

Chapter 4

Keelan

“Should I be worried?” Ryker says to me as I tie my skates.

“Worried?” I blow air through my lips. “Nah, we’re good.”

Ryker leans forward with his elbows on his thighs. He rests his chin on his hand, looking exactly like I told him not to be–worried.

“Ry, it’s fi-ine.”

He groans. “Just because you’re ignoring the fact that your ex-girlfriend and your… Rina,” he says, for lack of a better word, “...are now working together doesn’t mean problems don’t exist, Kee. And that press conference… you sure know how to add fuel to an already raging fire.”

I tug my jersey down over my head, rubbing the C on the left side of it. “I’m not ignoring it. It’s weird, sure. But we’re all grownups.”

“Debatable,” Ryker says, eyeing me.

"And that press conference went swimmingly," I add a chef's kiss for emphasis.

"Really? You think calling out Rina's ex on national television and telling him you wish you broke his leg is going ‘swimmingly?’"

The rest of the team is quietly putting on their gear. Everyone's a little on edge because of who we're playing tonight.

And Rina and her drama aside, I've got to get these guys on the same page.

I stand and turn to reach into my bag, pulling out and unwrapping a red lollipop without much thought and sticking it into my mouth.

Ryker watches me."I would just like you to stop acting like everything is okay, Kee.”

I slap a hand onto his back. “But everythingisokay. And do you know why?”

He cocks his head to the side. “Because you're delusional?"

I take the lollipop from my mouth and point it at him, “No, my grouchy friend. Becauseyouare getting married this weekend.”

I say it loud, and as soon as I do, the boys in the locker room all stop what they’re doing to let out a big “Ah-ooh” for our groom.

“And you’re going to be my brother by the bond of marriage. So don’t worry–tonight we beat Georgia. Sorry, Hicks!” I call over my shoulder like our old teammate can hear us in the opposing team's locker room.

"God save his soul," Fergie, my linemate, says, making a cross over his chest.

“He's gonna need it!” I say, then turning back to Ryker I add, “And this time next week, you and Izzy will be back from your honeymoon reminiscing on the most memorable day of your lives.”

“I’m pretty sure Izzy pushing a baby out might’ve been the most memorable day of their lives,” Zane, one of our D-men, cuts in.

“Reminiscing on thesecondmost memorable day of your lives,” I correct myself.

There’s a tiny hint of a smile tugging on my grumpy friend’s lips.

“That being said, Heatwave, who’s ready?” I yell out.

“We’re ready!” The team responds.

“Who’s ready?” I put my hand up to my ear.