LOGINJade pulled open his wardrobe, grabbing a random hoodie and sweatpants.Without turning, he tossed them at Elliot."Wear that"Elliot caught them easily."Just one damn night and this will never happen again" Jade muttered, grabbing a towel and running it through his hair."Bathroom's there. Go chan..."Before Jade could finish, Elliot had already started changing, completely unbothered.Jade immediately turned away."Dude, what the hell are you doing?"Elliot paused."Changing?""Use the fucking bathroom" Jade snapped."I don't have to..." Elliot said."I'm done already"Jade turned, glaring at him.Dressed in Jade's hoodie and Sweatpants.Elliot looked... differentNot just different.He looked good...still handsome even though he wasn't in his usual all black signature.The thought crossed Jade's mind so easily.His eyes still lingered for a second before it finally hit him.What the hell?He just thought Elliot of all people was handsome."Earth to Jade"Jade blinked, snappi
By the time the training finally wrapped up, it was evening already. It lasted longer than it should have. Tyler adjusted his bag over his shoulder as the two stepped out if the rink. "I'm gonna give myself a nice hot bath when I get home" he said. Jade smirked slightly. They both needed that bath, after the stressful day with the kids, and training. They approached the parking lot, both slowing to a stop. Jade looked around, there was no sign of Mendez. "Alright, man. See you tomorrow" Tyler said, holding out his hand. Jade took it, shared their usual handshake. "Do you need a ride?" He asked. Jade shook his head lightly. "My manager should be here soon." Tyler studied him for a second, like he wanted to say something but didn't. "Alright, don't stay out here too long" he said. Jade gave a small nod. Tyler got into his car and drove off. A cool breeze passed through, carrying the faint scent that comes before rain. The sky had already started to shift
Now the players were back on the ice again, fully geared, jerseys pulled over their pads as training began. They were scattered on the ice in groups. Some were skating rounds while others were dribbling each other.Skates scraping the ice, pucks knocking against the sticks as the team spread out.Jade rested his elbow on his stick, standing. He exhaled lightly.His eyes swept across the rink until it landed on Elliot, who was training with his friends.A slap on his shoulder pad jolted him back to reality.He blinked and turned.Tyler."You're gonna bore a hole into his face if you keep staring like that"Jade scoffed quietly, looking away."I don't get it" he muttered."Get what?" Tyler titled his head as he steadied a puck on the ice."We were fine a few minutes ago and then he just walked off." Jade said.Tyler followed his gaze before looking back at him."You two had a moment or something?" He asked, lifting his stick to take the shot."I wouldn't call it that. You know w
The next day, the rink was filled with kids of different ages, all in oversized jerseys and gears, running around the ice.Some were skating properly. Some just keep falling off their skates as they were trying to steady their balance. Some were chasing puck around the ice with no directions.It was very loud.The team players were amongst the children on the ice, some guiding the kids, others playing with them.It was something the team did from time to time, bringing in younger players, teaching them.Kids rushed past in every direction, some barely steadying their balance.One nearly crashed into the penalty box and laughed it off like nothing happened."Mister?" Jade looked up.A small boy stood in front of him, helmet slightly too big for his head, one skate untied and dragging awkwardly on the ice.Jade stared at him for a second."Yeah...?"The boy lifted his foot slightly."Can you help me?" He asked.Jade glanced down at the loose laces, then back at the kid. He motioned for
The next evening, the drive to Coach Declan's house was quiet.Too quiet.Jade sat back on his seat, inside the car, one arm resting against the door, his gaze fixed outside. His reflection stared back at him in the glass.His jaw was tight.From the driver's seat, his manager fiancée at him briefly. Then again."You're quiet" Mendez said.Jade didn't respond."You want to tell me what happened?" he asked, more direct this time.Jade's lips pressed into a thin line.Silence filled the car.Then..."Coach paired me with Lombardi" Jade said finally, his voice flat.A wave of silence passed."You should be careful with Lombardi. I don't have to remind you what he's like. I don't want you getting hurt again." Mendez said, glancing at Jade.Jade turned his head slightly, eyes distant."I know."Mendez hummed softly."If you want me to talk to your coach, see if he can reverse it." He said.Jade didn't respond.The gates of Coach Declan's house slowly came into view.The car began to sl
"...Did we walk into something?" One of teammates asked, a grin tugging at his lips.The rest of the teammates laughed.Elliot's hand dropped from Jade's shoulder, he stepped back. Jade straightened himself, jaw tight."We're not done" Elliot said, his voice low, just enough for Jade to hear.He moved to his own spot, grabbing his water bottle.He took a long sip.Soon, the room shifted instantly. It became filled with laughter, noises of lockers opening and closing.Elliot couldn't seem to take his eyes off Jade. Across the room, Jade was talking to Tyler now.Tyler was saying something Jade found funny and he was laughing. Laughing like he hadn't just been pinned against a locker minutes ago.Elliot's Jaw tightened."You're gonna bore holes into them."Elliot blinked, snapping out of it.PhilHadley stood beside him, arms crossed, a knowing look on his face.Elliot dragged a had through his hair."Shut up" he muttered.Phil hugged a quiet laugh."I didn't say much" Elliot grabbed







