Chapter 2: Forced Watch

The second Coach Harlan said my name that morning I knew Kade Volkov was about to become my personal nightmare.

Practice ran us into the ground. We skated hard lines and battle drills until my legs burned. Guys were still buzzing from last nights win but the new guy moved through it all like he had something to prove. I kept my distance on the ice trying to focus on my own game. When the whistle finally blew I headed straight for the locker room hoping to avoid more trouble.

Coach caught me in the hall. “Evan my office now.”

I followed him inside and dropped into the chair across from his desk. The room smelled like old coffee and stale sweat. Coach leaned back looking tired already.

“Listen Coach I did my job last night. We won. What else do you want from me?” I asked right away.

He rubbed his face. “Volkov is your problem now Evan. Full time. Room with him on every road trip. Keep him focused on hockey and out of trouble. No excuses.”

I sat up straight my voice rising. “Are you serious? The guy has suspensions stacked up and rumors that would scare off half the league. I am the captain not a damn babysitter.”

“Owners orders,” Coach said flat. “He stays or we both lose big. You want to keep that C on your chest? Make this work. Ride him hard in practice. Call him out when he steps out of line. Room together starting next trip.”

I leaned forward gripping the edge of the desk. “Ride him how? He almost took out our own guy last night. What if he drags the whole team down? I built this locker room on trust. This feels like a mistake.”

Coach shook his head. “No mistakes here. You are the leader. Act like it. Talk to him. Push him. Whatever it takes. I do not want another suspension on my record because the new Russian goes off.”

“But why me specifically?” I pressed. “There are other vets who could handle this. I have enough on my plate with the media and my own game.”

“Because you are the captain Evan. The face of the franchise. Owner thinks if anyone can straighten him out it is you. End of discussion. Now get out there and start fixing it.”

I stood up frustrated. “Fine. But if he blows up I am coming straight back to you. This is not just on me.”

Coach waved me off. “It is all on you now. Do not let me down.”

I left the office with my jaw tight. Babysitting a violent wildcard with a shady past. Perfect way to start the season. I changed quickly and headed back onto the ice for extra tape review but my mind kept drifting to those gray eyes from the penalty box.

The locker room emptied out slow after that. Most guys grabbed showers and headed home. I stayed behind firing up the tablet to watch last nights game tape. Footsteps echoed behind me. I did not need to turn around to know who it was.

Kade dropped his bag on the bench nearby still in his compression shorts sweat drying on his skin. “You always watch tape alone Captain? Or you waiting for me?”

I kept my eyes on the screen. “Just doing my job Volkov. Unlike some people.”

He stepped closer voice low. “Your job? Is that what Coach told you? Keep the crazy Russian in line?”

I paused the tape and turned to face him. “Yeah something like that. You got a problem with it?”

Kade crossed his arms over his chest. “I think you like telling people what to do. Must feel good with that big C on your jersey. Makes you feel important right?”

“Important enough to keep this team winning,” I shot back standing up. “You on the other hand swing like you are still fighting in some back alley in Russia. That hit last night could have hurt our guy bad.”

He laughed short and rough. “That hit was clean. Your boy got in the way. Maybe you should teach your team to skate faster instead of crying to me.”

“Crying?” I moved around the bench closing some distance. “I am protecting what we built here. We play smart. We play together. You come in swinging like a lone wolf and it messes everything up.”

Kade did not back down. His eyes flashed. “Lone wolf? Funny. You act like you own the ice. Like nobody else belongs. What are you so scared of Ryder? That I might actually make this team better than your perfect little system?”

“I am not scared of you,” I said stepping even closer. “I am worried you will get us all fined or suspended before Christmas. Coach just dumped you on me. Room together on the road. Keep you focused. So yeah I am watching every move.”

He raised an eyebrow that smirk creeping back. “Room together? Coach really said that? Sounds like he wants us to be best friends.”

“Best friends?” I scoffed. “More like I am supposed to make sure you do not burn the place down. Why are you even here Volkov? With your record you could have landed anywhere. Why my team?”

Kade shrugged but his eyes stayed locked on mine. “Maybe I like a challenge. Maybe I heard the golden boy needs someone to push him. You always this uptight or is it just around me?”

“You push too hard and you will be gone,” I replied voice sharp. “I have worked too long to let some transfer with a bad attitude ruin it. Last night in the box you talked like you know me. You do not. Stay in your lane.”

He took another step until we stood inches apart. The air felt thick like before a big hit. “My lane runs through this team now. You want to control me? Try it. But do not act like you are better. I see you Ryder. All that pressure behind the smile. The perfect captain who is one bad game from cracking.”

My heart hammered. “You do not see shit. You know nothing about me or this team. Keep your head down play the system and we will be fine.”

Kade reached for his bag on the bench. His hand brushed my arm as he moved. The touch lingered a second too long warm against my skin. I felt it like a spark. I pulled away fast.

“Careful there,” I muttered grabbing my own stuff. “Personal space exists even for you.”

He chuckled low. “Personal space? After we traded punches last night? Touchy Captain. Real touchy.”

I zipped my bag hard. “This conversation is done. I have better things to do than argue with you all day. Just remember what I said. No more cheap shots. No more drama.”

“Or what?” Kade asked as I headed for the door. “You going to fight me again? Or run to Coach like a good little captain?”

I stopped at the door and looked back. “I will do whatever it takes to protect this team. Even from you. Get your act together Volkov.”

I walked out without waiting for his reply. The drive back to my apartment felt longer than usual. Traffic crawled while my mind replayed every word. The way he pushed back. That brush of his hand. The way the air got heavy when we stood close.

I parked and headed inside tossing my keys on the counter. The place felt too quiet. I grabbed a water from the fridge and dropped onto the couch trying to shake it all off. The guy was pure trouble. Violent past. Rumors that made everyone nervous. Yet that charged moment in the empty locker room kept looping in my head. The heat of his arm. The flash in those gray eyes. The way my pulse jumped when he got close.

I rubbed my face hard. This was not good. I had a job to do. Keep him in line. Win games. Protect the team. But something about Kade already felt like more than just a problem. It felt personal. Dangerous.

I needed to stay focused. Tomorrow would bring more practice more chances for him to test me. I could not let one Russian hothead get under my skin this fast.

But as I sat there staring at the wall I already knew it might be too late. The watch had started and Kade Volkov was not going to make it easy.