Iced Over

Chapter5

GWEN

The last time I felt first-day nerves was in high school. Back when I avoided people like they were contagious.

It was a miracle Felix and I ever got along. We existed in completely different worlds.

I shoved those memories into a box and buried them deep.

Detach your emotions. Always.

“Here we go.” I stared up at the Frostbite Arena entrance, just like I had yesterday.

Only this time, I wasn’t walking in as Huntley Corps staff. This time, I was part of them. I had informed my boss back at Huntley about the new development. There’d been a bit of back and forth but he had eventually caved. So long as I didn’t deviate from my assignment.

My chest thudded both in intrigue and nervousness. What kind of impression would they get of me once I walked through those doors? Would they even accept a woman stepping into their space?

Each thought sent my mind spiraling, my heart pounding harder. Kieran’s tight-lipped scowl flickered in my head.

I’d be seeing him too.

Something about Kieran intrigued me. It wasn’t just the cold regard, or the way he looked at everybody but Coach Tann like they weren’t worth his time.

That glint in his eyes yesterday…

“I want to see it again,” I murmured under my breath, bracing myself as I pushed through the doors.

With my resolve strengthened once again, I made my way straight to the rink. It took an extra five minutes—I got lost. A janitor eventually pointed me in the right direction. “Coach Tann.” I called out to the man.

He looked up from the clipboard in his hands, eyes ablaze with excitement. “Gwen. It’s good to see you.”

I turned to the rink, noting it was empty. “Is…there no practice today?”

“There is,” The coach answered. “Mostly they head to the locker room first before making their way here.”

His eyes trailed behind me. “Well there they are right now.”

I turned to find a sea of red filtering their way towards me. My heart continued to slam hard against my chest, palms suddenly sweaty.

Get it together, Gweneviere. You’re not a freaking teenager.

Each one of them regarded me with a mix of emotions. Intrigue. Indifference. And some, flat out gawking.

“Boys,” Coach Tann gestured for them to gather round.

Once they had, he began to speak. “This, is Gweneviere. From today, she’s going to work with us as part of the team. She’ll assist me in all areas necessary, and give insights as required. I want you to treat her with the same respect you regard me. Am I clear?”

There was a resounding ‘yes coach’.

“Welcome aboard, Gwen.” A brunette guy smiled at me. “Name’s Decker. Pleasure to have you here. Please bear with us as much as your patience lets you. We’re…quite the handful.”

I laughed. “I once watched chicken thaw for entertainment. I’ll survive.”

And just like that, the tense atmosphere instantly dissipated. One by one, the guys introduced themselves. It would take some getting used to but I knew with time, I’d get to know all their names.

Only one person was missing…

“Where the hell is Kieran?” The captain growled.

One of the guys, Oslo, shrugged. His gaze flickered to me smoothly. I expected him to say something, but he simply turned towards the rink.

Practice kicked off instantly. I stood by Coach Tann’s sight, listening to every note he gave on each player’s strengths and where they could improve. Everything I learned, I wrote it down so I’d later pour over it.

About an hour in, he called them off to take a break. One by one, they made their way out of the rink and towards the locker room.

“Come on.” Coach Tann smiled and lead the way.

The locker room was just what you’d expect for athletes. The only odd thing was that it wasn’t as unkempt as I’d thought it would be.

“For the love of wine, why the f**k do you keep doing that?”

I turned to the two guys, TJ and Miller, who were bickering over what seemed to be…snacks?

“You can’t have snacks and not share.” Miller argued back.

TJ looked appalled. “You f*****g glutton. Next time, I’m putting laxatives in them. Prepare to hate your life.”

I bit back a laugh. Someone came up beside me and I turned to find Decker staring.

“Ignore them,” He smiled apologetically. “We’re not usually this bad. I’m the vice-captain by the way.”

My chest felt miles lighter than before. “I look forward to working with you.”

The wink he sent me made my chest flutter a little. Coach Tann cleared his throat once, and gestured for them to come closer.

Then he turned to me and sent a small nod.

I stared at the eyes looking expectantly at me. With a small breath, I started speaking. “Your first opponent for the season is the Brooklyn Badgers. Their roster doesn’t move like the standard hierarchy.”

Intrigue washed over their faces the longer I went on. It was hard to ignore Kieran’s absence, but I pushed forward. I proceeded to talk about strategies and how their captain wasn’t really the one behind their strength.

“He’s just the face. A ghost alpha.” I folded my arms. “The real threat, is Scott Lee. That’s who you need to watch.”

“So, we just make sure he doesn’t slither out of our sight?” Cameron punched his open fist. “They won’t know what hit him.”

Denver smiled. “Especially now that we’ve got someone who actually sees the game.”

My cheeks warmed, and I fought back a smile. “I’m just happy to be here.”

While they went back to getting their gear on for more practice, my phone buzzed repeatedly. My smile faded the second I saw the call. This number again. I’d blocked it weeks ago.

I ended the call again, about to put it back, when it buzzed again. It was a voicemail. I stepped away, finding a quiet corner before pressing play.

“Gwen.”

My blood turned to ice.

Caius.

My breath hitched. My vision blurred. I’d prayed to whoever was out there all these months. Prayed that I never had to hear or see them again.

So how the hell—

“We know where you are, Gwen.”