Iced Over

Chapter 4

GWEN

I’d read enough to know hockey players had a reputation for being assholes. Apparently, that reputation was well-earned.

“Excuse me?”

Kieran moved closer to the panes, stopping just inches away from me. I could see the look on his face more clearly now.

Irritation, blatant and undisguised.

“Who the hell are you?” he glared. “And what do you know about movement or anything that has to do with the sport?”

The other players had paused what they’d been doing, now watching the exchange between us. I paid them no heed, already irritated by whatever Kieran’s problem was. His statement had pissed off a part of me I didn’t know was possible.

I wasn’t about to let that slide.

“Gweneviere Everdeen.” I answered coolly. “A representative of Frostbite’s associate; Huntley Corps. It doesn’t take a genius to see what you were doing. You were skating towards the boards. It costs you more time than you realize.”

For a brief second, there was a glint of something in his eyes I couldn’t quite read. “A poor insight, Gweneviere. Just a few minutes of watching us and you think you’ve gauged all there is to how I play?”

He’d meant to be snarky, but there was a flicker of intrigue beneath it. I held his gaze, refusing to wither under the harshness of it.

“It’s not hard, if you’re paying attention.”

“Being called out by a woman?” he scoffed. “Amusing.”

I stepped closer. “We learn every day. Seems like you need that the most.”

His eyes darkened a bit, and I wondered if I’d crossed the line by making that statement. His teammates’ stares pressed in on me. For a second, I wondered if I’d crossed a line just by speaking.

A dark chuckle left his lips. There was no amusement in his eyes. I was vaguely aware of the goosebumps trickling up my arm.

It was instinct to know when you were being hunted by a predator, something bigger—something that could destroy you.

And I felt that way under Kieran’s gaze.

“Who are you?”

I took in a breath, forcing the tension off my shoulders and straightening. Six months ago, I’d been so sure I wouldn’t survive.

But somehow, I had. And if this was what forging a new path ahead for me meant…then I refused to be someone who would just cower in the face of everyone.

“Someone who pays attention when others don’t.”

Kieran’s lips moved, as if about to say something, as he leaned closer once more.

“Fantastic insight.”

I turned to find a man walking toward us. Dark hair, probably in his early forties, and with a warm smile that went all the way to his eyes.

He’d been by the entrance the entire time ever since I got there with Marco. Watching their plays and giving one or two corrections where necessary.

Most likely their coach.

“Tannim Modrich.” He held out a hand. “You can call me Coach Tann.”

I shook it warmly. “Gweneviere. I’m here following some technicalities on the contract with Frostbite.”

He nodded in what looked like understanding. “It’s a pleasure to have you watch my team practice. Still on the comment you made, that was quite the insight on your part.”

“Oh, it was really nothing.” I tried to play it cool, the response coming instinctively.

It was one thing to come here on official duty. I had let myself get carried away too easily and now the attention that it had gotten was completely unnecessary.

“Nonsense.” He refused to budge. “You were right. That guy over there moves with brute force mostly. So, he doesn’t notice the little things until it’s a fraction too late. But you—we need someone who can do that.”

I blinked, taken aback by his words. “You…need me?”

Kieran had gone rigid by my side, his face an emotionless, unreadable mask. I couldn’t tell if he was happy with what was going on or not.

It had been hard to even see through his emotions when he initially came towards me. And now this?

“How long have you been into hockey?”

I turned to Coach Tann, unable to deny the interest in his eyes. I scoured the memories in my mind, pushing back the memories threatening to surface.

“You’ll always be our special girl, Gwen.”

“My father was a huge hockey fan,” I pushed back the tight feeling in my chest and smiled. “It was a given that he’d pass on the mantle of that obsession to me.”

Coach Tann laughed heartily. “So, a genetic thing then? That makes it even better.”

He inched forward, his eyes set in determination and a will that remained relentless. “Listen, Gwen. An eye that instantly spots out holes like yours do, that’s something I know my team needs. I want your knowledge, Gwen. I want what you can do for Frostbite.”

Murmurs rippled through the air, and I was once again made aware of the players all staring at us with interest.

It seemed straight out of a book. The Reapers were one of the top teams in the entire country. And their coach was actively recruiting me to join the team.

It was tempting.

He wanted me on his team; a feeling I wasn’t sure I’d gotten since when I gave up everything once and for all.

But instinct was a hard thing to shake off.

Getting close to things, letting myself develop fondness, it always led to one thing. Losing it all painfully.

I’d reject it. It would be for the best anyway.

“She’s not who you think she is.”

I froze, turning to Kieran who had finally spoken. His gaze moved from the coach to me, set in cold regard.

“We don’t need a shell that’s just going to play pretend.”

He probably meant that as casual disregard. And yet each word that left him plunged hard at a wound I’d buried.

Kieran spared me one long glance. “Don’t bother, Coach. We’ll—”

“I’ll do it.”

Coach Tann blinked, both surprised and excited at my words. “Are you serious?”

I shot Kieran a hard look, before finally turning back to Coach Tann. If Kieran thought I’d break, I’d prove him dead wrong.

“I’m in.”