LOGINThe 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
"Don't touch him" Elliot said, his voice low and dangerous. The crowd roared chaosly, across the rink.The ref blows the whistle sharply."Hey! Break it up!" He skated in fast, squeezing himself between them as other players started crowding in.Santamario held his jaw, eyes burning.Jade's chest rose and fell, his fists still clenched. Elliot's eyes were locked on Santamario."That's enough! All three of you to the penalty box. Now!" He snapped."Ref, you're not even going to hear what happened?" Jade asked."Don't try to teach me my job. You three were fighting and that alone makes you serve five minutes in the penalty box" The ref shot back."Five minutes? That is too much, we have a game to win." Elliot said, frowning."They threw the first punch, ref" Santamario said quickly.The ref stepped forward. Eyes locked on Santamario, sternly."I said Penalty box. Now!"Titans fans booed loudly."LOOKS LIKE TENSION ARE BOILING HOTTER THAN THE ICE AS THE THREE PLAYERS GET FIVE MINUTES I
Jade stood at the entrance to the rink, hands on his hips, body leaning on the wall. The glass door in front of him reflected the bright lights inside, the cheers of the fans. Behind him, laughter erupted from his new teammates. Loud, careless and mocking. Coach Declan appeared at the end of the hallway, hands shoved into his jacket pockets. The hallway instantly quieted down."All right, listen up" he began, voice firm and sharp."Tonight, We're not facing a small team. Tonight, it's Titans versus the Black Bears, a team that thinks they can walk in here and take our ice. Guess what? They're wrong. Fucking wrong!" He paused, scanning the group with sharp eyes."We're faster. We're smarter and we are going to remind them why Titans don't lose. You're not just playing for yourself. You're playing for this jersey, for this rink...for every fan out there." Then his gaze sharpened on Jade."Riccio!, here is not Apex. Here, you have to earn your spot, like everyone else."Jade's
The next day, Jade met his new teammates. After Mendez dropped him off at the training facility, Jade made his way inside. He was directed to the Coach's office, where he met the coach and after a brief meeting, he led Jade down to the locker room. Jade's heart hammered as they approached the locker room. They soon stopped in front of a door marked "Titans Locker Room."Jade's grip tightened around his duffel bag.Coach Reynolds knocked before stepping in, Jade behind."Morning Coach""Good Morning Coach Reynolds""Coach""Listen up people" Coach Reynolds called and everyone in the room raised their head up, including Elliot. For a moment, they locked eyes. Jade felt the air shift.Elliot didn't even smile. He didn't frown. He just stared, slowly in a way that makes Jade's stomach twist."Jade Riccio. He's a forward and he'll be playing right wing for this team starting today.""Elliot.""Yes, Coach" Elliot replied, finally looking away. His eyes flicked to the coach."As the te
Jade knocked on the door to the Coach's office, heart hammering.Mendez patted his shoulder, trying to ease the tension."Relax, we'll sort this out" he assured and Jade nodded."Come in" Duiz's voice came through the wooden door and Jade pushed the door open.His eyes scanned the small office. It smelled of old coffee and paperwork."Riccio." Duiz called from where he sat behind the wooden table cluttered with stacks of paperwork and pencil shavings."Come on in. Take a seat" he offered and Jade finally stepped into the office. Mendez close behind.He clasped his hand in front, trying to steady his racing heart. He sank into the chair, right next to Mendez.Coach Duiz didn't waste time. He leaned in his chair, eyes on Jade."Let me guess, you want to talk about your transfer" Duiz said, smirking.Jade nodded and swallowed "Yes, Coach..I..." Duiz held up a hand to shun him."Save it, you want to stay with Apex Vanguard." He said."Yes...I..." "You can't." Duiz cut Jade off before







