The Hockey Player’s Secret Tutor

Get your points up or you are off the team!

Sebastian's POV

It is after the game, and I am already irritated. We won, but barely. One point is not a win worth celebrating. I am used to dominating, to leaving no doubt about who the best team on the ice is, and tonight felt sloppy. Controlled, but still it felt sloppy. Hockey is the only thing I have ever truly cared about after my mother died. Before my mother died, I promised her that one day I would be her star. Not just good ... unforgettable. The kind of player people remember long after the game ends. She believed in me, showed up to every game, and never missed a single one. Now she is gone. And my father? He has not attended a single game since. All that matters to him now is his new wife and her son. Nate! My grip tightens on my hockey stick as I sit in the locker room, replaying the game in my head. I know my grades are a disaster, and I know exactly what my mother would say if she were here. She would not be angry, just disappointed. That is worse.

“Seb.”

I look up slowly. Coach Bennett is standing in front of me. His arms are crossed. I already know what this is about.

“You are off the team if your grades don’t improve,” he says, direct and to the point. “This does not come from me, but I have to enforce it.”

I lean back slightly, unfazed on the outside.

“I won’t let that happen," I say.

“You might not have a choice.” He says sharply. “You are the captain, and you are the best player on this team, but that means nothing if you fail your classes. I don't want to lose my best player, but you will have to shape up."

I don’t respond. He studies me for a moment, annoyed, before continuing.“You’ve been slipping. Not just in school. Discipline, focus, and this attitude of yours are not doing you any favours. I am not even talking about your partying.”

“I still deliver on the ice," I say.

“Barely tonight,” he shoots back.

That earns a small smirk from me. At least he is honest. I did not perform my best tonight.

“You need a tutor,” he continues. “And I already have someone in mind.”

I already know where this is going.

“The Harrington Fellowship winner,” I say.

“Yes, Lyra," he says, frowning.

“Your daughter,” I say unnecessarily.

“Yes. Is there something wrong with that?” He asks. I can see he is frustrated with me.

“She is in love with Nate,” I say bluntly. “So why would she help me?”

Coach Bennett’s face is pale, and there is anger in his eyes at the mention of Nate. I know he does not like Nate. No father will like their daughter to like my stepbrother, but it is no secret in school that she likes him, and everyone, Nate included, laughs about her running after him like a puppy.

“I have already warned her about him,” He says.

That doesn’t surprise me.

“It won’t make a difference,” I say. “Nate doesn’t do relationships. He plays with people until he gets bored. He will play with Lyra until he gets what he wants from her.”

I don’t say it with emotion. I am mentioning a fact. I do not care if Coach likes it or not. Someone needs to warn Lyra. It might as well be her father.

Coach watches me carefully. “If she agrees, you will take it seriously.”

“I always do what benefits me,” I answer. That is the truth.

He breaths out slowly as if he is trying to keep his anger in check. “Talk to her yourself. I won’t force her or you,” He says.

I nod once and stand up, grabbing my bag. The conversation is over. The drive home is quiet, but my mind is not, Lyra Bennett.

I have noticed her before. Not because she stands out to everyone else, but because she is always around my stepbrother. She keeps to herself, buried in books, pretending not to hear the things people say about her. People underestimate her, but Nate doesn’t. He just doesn’t respect her either. I have seen the way he looks at her. He is amused, entertained, but never serious. To Nate, she is something to pass the time with when he is bored, and she looks at him like he is everything. It is almost painful to watch. The house is loud when I walk in.

The music turns softer as people notice me, and that is when I know something is off. Conversations turn into whispers, everyone looks at the cough in the corner, and there is tension in the air. I follow their gaze, and there they are. Nate and Victoria are on the couch, kissing like they don’t care who sees. Veronica must have forgotten that I am coming home tonight. I smile and shake my head. Victoria pulls away first, eyes widening slightly when she sees me.

“Seb ... ”

I raise a hand, stopping her before she can continue.

“I don’t care,” I say, and I mean it. I do not feel anger or jealousy, just mild annoyance that I have to deal with this at all. Nate leans back like nothing is wrong, completely relaxed, like it is normal to make out with your brother's girlfriend at a party in your house.

“She didn’t mention she was still yours,” he says casually, like this is some kind of joke.

“She’s not,” I reply, my voice flat. “Not anymore.” Victoria stares at me, clearly not expecting that.

“Sebastian, it’s not ...”

“Save it,” I interrupt her. “You’re free. Do whatever you want.”

She looks confused, then frustrated. Nate, on the other hand, just smirks slightly, as he has already won something. He always thinks that he is winning. He always tries to be better at everything than me.

“Guess that makes things easier,” he says.

“For you?” I put up my shoulders. “Sure.” I look from Nate to Verinoca, then I look away, already bored.

“If you’re done, move. You’re in my spot.”

Victoria blinks at me. Nate actually laughs. But they move. I grab a beer and sink into the couch where they just made out, already done with the situation. This is exactly who Nate is. He takes what he wants, doesn’t think twice, and moves on when he is finished. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt in the process. Lyra is his next victim, if she is not already at home crying her eyes out. I take a slow sip of my drink, watching the party pick back up around me. Then I make a decision. If Lyra is going to be my tutor, things are going to be on my terms. She helps me pass, and in return, I will make sure she stops looking at Nate like a puppy dog looking at a snack.