Julian's POV
The second period begins and I skate out feeling sharp and ready, my muscles coiled with energy from the intermission. But my mind is buzzing with anger that I can't seem to shake. Marcus is on the opposing line, and every time we pass each other during play, he leans in close enough that his breath fogs against my helmet.
"Looking a little slow out there, Jules," he mutters during a line change, his voice carrying that familiar mocking tone that used to make my stomach twist in high school.
I try to ignore him and focus on the play. But his voice cuts through everything else - the crowd noise, my teammates calling plays, even my own heartbeat thundering in my ears.
"Remember when you used to be good at this?" Marcus says as we skate past each other near center i
