Chapter 4: Meet the Captain
1046 Words
Ava’s palms were sweaty.
Not from the cold.
Not from the hockey.
But from the lie she was about to tell.
The Ridgewood Falcons training facility was alive with the sound of players arriving for the first practice of the season.
Ava stepped off the bus, her hockey bag slung over her shoulder.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she forced herself to walk forward instead of turning back and running away.
Remember who you are.
Alex Carter.
Not Ava.
Alex.
The mantra echoed in her head as she stepped inside the facility.
The moment she walked into the locker room, voices flooded the room.
Laughter.
Music.
The clatter of hockey sticks.
Ava’s stomach twisted.
This was the problem she hadn’t considered when she agreed to this.
The locker room.
The room full of boys.
Changing, showering, living.
Her pulse quickened.
“Alex!”
A familiar voice called out to her.
A tall, blond player waved enthusiastically.
“Theo Walker.”
Alex’s friend.
Ava remembered his name as she forced a smile.
“Theo.”
The boy grinned.
“Dude, we’re glad you’re back.”
Back.
Right.
Alex had already met most of these guys during tryouts.
Ava gave a casual nod.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
Thankfully, Coach Harrison blew his whistle, signaling the start of practice.
The players grabbed their gear, and minutes later, Ava was on the ice.
Home.
The moment her skates touched the familiar surface, her heart slowed.
It was good to be back.
On the ice.
Where she belonged.
The team captain stood at center ice, his eyes scanning the room.
Jaxon Reed.
Even Ava knew his name.
Tall, and with a sculpted face, he was the poster boy for Ridgewood High.
Unfortunately, he was also the captain of the team.
And, based on the smug look on his face, he was also incredibly annoying.
Coach Harrison blew his whistle.
“Pair up.”
The players quickly found partners, and Ava was still studying the room when someone rammed into her shoulder.
She stumbled, but managed to keep her balance.
“Watch where you’re going,” Jaxon muttered.
Ava blinked.
Excuse me?
“You hit me.”
His eyebrow lifted.
“Did I?”
Ava crossed her arms over her chest.
“Pretty sure you did.”
Jaxon smirked.
“Then maybe you should skate faster.”
Several players nearby chuckled, and Ava’s competitive streak flared to life.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Because Alex would’ve walked away.
Ava wanted to tear him apart.
Jaxon’s smirk widened.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing.”
Ava forced herself to relax.
“Let’s just practice.”
Jaxon skated away, muttering under his breath.
“Thought so.”
Ava glared at his back.
Arrogant jerk.
The drills began.
Passing, shooting, and speed.
Everything was going smoothly.
For the first time since putting on the disguise, Ava stopped thinking.
Stopped worrying.
Stopped pretending.
She simply played.
And that was a mistake.
Because she forgot to hold back.
Coach Harrison divided the players into small scrimmage teams, and the moment the puck left his hand, Ava was in attack mode.
One defender was all over her, but she simply shifted her weight and sent a quick shot past him.
The second defender came barreling forward, and Ava faked right before spinning around the puck and scoring.
Silence fell over the rink.
Ava blinked.
Uh-oh.
Every player was watching her, their faces a mixture of surprise and admiration.
Even Coach Harrison gave an approving nod.
“Nice shot,” he said.
The whistle blew, and the game resumed.
It was the second time Ava had stolen the puck from Noah Blake, and the third time she had embarrassed a defender.
The team exploded with chatter.
“Dude!”
“Where was this during tryouts?”
“Alex is insane!”
Ava’s heart pounded in her chest.
Too good.
Way too good.
The attention she had craved her entire life was suddenly a curse.
Because attention meant questions.
And questions meant secrets.
At center ice, Jaxon Reed watched her carefully.
Not impressed.
Studying.
Analyzing.
Like he was trying to solve some kind of puzzle.
The rest of the practice went by in a blur.
Every time Ava touched the puck, people took notice.
By the end of the scrimmage, the entire team was buzzing with speculation.
Everyone was talking about Alex Carter.
Everyone but Jaxon.
The captain remained silent, watching her carefully.
When Coach finally blew his whistle, signaling the end of practice, the players filtered toward the exits.
Ava was right behind them when a voice stopped her.
“Alex.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
She turned to find Jaxon standing behind her.
The rink was almost empty.
Only a few players remained.
“What?” she asked.
Jaxon crossed his arms over his chest.
“You’ve gotten better.”
Ava shrugged.
“I practiced.”
“Practiced?” Jaxon echoed.
“Yeah.”
His gaze narrowed.
“Funny.”
“What is?”
“You didn’t skate like that during tryouts.”
Ava’s stomach twisted.
Careful.
Very careful.
“Maybe I had a good day.”
“Maybe.”
Neither of them looked away.
The silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable.
Finally, Jaxon smirked.
It wasn’t a friendly smirk.
More like a challenge.
A warning.
Like he had just made up his mind about something.
“Tomorrow.”
Ava frowned.
“What?”
Jaxon gestured toward center ice.
“One-on-one.”
Noah stopped walking.
Theo turned around.
Several players immediately looked interested.
Ava stared at Jaxon, her heart pounding.
“A one-on-one challenge?”
Jaxon nodded.
“Just you and me.”
“Why?” she asked.
The captain’s smile widened.
“Because I want to see if you’re really that good.”
The players exchanged excited looks.
No one challenged Jaxon Reed.
No one.
And apparently, the captain never challenged anyone.
Until now.
Ava’s heart raced.
Partly in excitement, partly in fear, and mostly because she wanted to accept his challenge.
Jaxon extended his hockey stick.
A challenge.
A promise.
A battle.
“Tomorrow morning, Carter.
Let’s see what you’re hiding.”
And for one terrifying moment, Ava wondered if he meant her hockey skills… or her secret.
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