Breaking The Ice

CHAPTER 2

Jaxon POV

I should have known the day was going to be a disaster when Coach Reynolds called an emergency team meeting before the first practice of the season. Nothing good ever came from emergency meetings. Especially not when Coach looked far too pleased with himself. The entire team was gathered around center ice, sticks resting against our shoulders while Coach stood in front of us with his clipboard.

The rink was empty except for us. Quiet and cold. Exactly how I liked it. Hockey wasn't supposed to be complicated. You worked hard, you earned your place and you won games. Simple.

Then Coach opened his mouth. "I've got an announcement.” A collective groan echoed around the rink. Coach ignored it. "Our newest recruit arrives today.” Connor Mercer, my assistant captain, raised an eyebrow. "A recruit?” Coach nodded. "Scholarship player.” He said. That immediately got my attention. Scholarships weren't handed out lightly at Wolf Ridge. If Coach had recruited someone new, they had to be exceptional.

"Forward?" Noah Brooks asked from beside me. Coach's smile widened. “No.” Defenseman. Interesting. I thought. We could use another defenseman. Easton had nearly broken his shoulder last season and our depth wasn't great. Still, something about Coach's expression put me on edge. The man looked entirely too entertained.

Then Grayson Walker spoke. "Okay, Coach. Stop smiling like a serial killer and tell us who it is.” A few players laughed. Coach finally put us out of our misery. "Riley Bennett."

The name meant nothing to me. Judging by the confused looks around the rink, nobody else recognized it either. Lucas frowned. “Who?" But Coach looked directly at me. Then he said the five words that changed my entire mood. "She's joining the team.” Silence. For a second, I honestly thought I'd heard him wrong. Then Gray burst out laughing.

"You're kidding.” Coach wasn't laughing. Connor rubbed a hand over his face. Easton blinked. "A girl?” Coach folded his arms. "A hockey player.” He clarified but the distinction wasn't lost on me. But neither was the problem. I already knew what was going to happen. Media attention. Questions. Interviews. Every sports reporter in the state suddenly deciding Wolf Ridge hockey was interesting. Exactly what we didn't need. We had a championship to win. The last thing we needed was distractions.

Coach looked around the rink. "She's earned her spot.” Nobody said anything. I didn't either. But Coach knew me too well as his eyes narrowed. "Something to say, Hayes?” I shifted my stick against my shoulder. “No." The lie tasted bitter. Coach snorted. “Good." Then he blew his whistle.

"Practice starts in an hour. Don't be idiots.” With that, he walked away. The second he disappeared into his office, the conversations exploded. "A girl on the Wolves?” Said gray. ”This is insane.” Said Easton. ”What position does she play?” Asked Tyler.

“Defenseman." I answered thoughtfully. ”She better be good.” Conner said and glanced at me. "You look like you're planning a murder.” He added, making the whole team look at me. "I'm thinking.” I replied curtly. “That sounds even more dangerous.” He said but I ignored him.

The problem wasn't that Riley Bennett was a woman. The problem was that Wolf Ridge wasn't some recreational league. This was Division One hockey. The best players in the country fought for spots here. You didn't hand out jerseys because a story would look good in a brochure. And if Coach had recruited her because the university wanted publicity? Then everyone on the team would pay the price. Including me… Especially me. As captain, every distraction became my problem. Every controversy became my responsibility and every headline reflected on the team. Maybe that wasn't fair. But it was reality. And I'd spent three years building this team into something to be respected. I wasn't about to watch it become a circus.

An hour later I walked into the locker room. The conversation died instantly. That should have been my first warning but instead, I looked up and saw her. Riley Bennett. Standing in the middle of the locker room with a hockey bag slung over one shoulder.

The first thing I noticed wasn't that she was a girl. It was the confidence. Most freshmen walked into this room looking terrified. Riley looked ready for a fight. The second thing I noticed was that she wasn't what I'd expected. Not that I'd spent time imagining her. But if someone had asked me to picture a publicity stunt, it wouldn't have looked like Riley Bennett. Her posture was relaxed, shoulders squared, her chin held high like she belonged here.

That irritated me more than it should have because confidence didn't mean ability. I'd seen plenty of overconfident players crash and burn. Still… Something about her refused to back down under the attention. Interesting. I thought, not that I cared.

I watched her move toward an empty locker as the team immediately started whispering. She ignored every single comment which surprised me. Most people would've reacted but she acted like she'd heard it all before. Maybe she had. I wasn't sure why that thought bothered me.

Then she looked up. Our eyes met. For a brief second, something passed between us. Challenge. Defiance. Neither one of us looked away.

If Riley Bennett was going to be part of this team, she needed to understand something immediately. Nobody got special treatment. Not even her. Especially not her.

"You lost?” I asked and the room erupted but she only smiled. Actually smiled. “Nope." Came her short answer. Not nervous. Not intimidated. Just amused. My irritation doubled. "The women's locker room is down the hall.” Another smile and then she stood. Slowly and purposefully. Refusing to be looked down on. "Good thing I'm not looking for the women's team.” She retorted and the laughter died.

Connor made a choking sound somewhere behind me. Traitor. I thought but ignored him. "You're Riley Bennett.” I asked even though I already knew. "That's me.” There wasn't an ounce of uncertainty in her voice. Not one. I found myself searching for it anyway. For hesitation or doubt. For proof she wasn't ready for this. I didn't find any. Which annoyed me even more.

"I'm Jaxon Hayes.” I stated. ”I know.” She merely replied and the answer caught me off guard. Not because she knew who I was. Most people on campus did. But because of the way she said it. Like she wasn't impressed. Like my name didn't mean anything and for some reason, that bothered me. A lot.

Before I could respond, Coach walked in. And just like that, the moment ended. Probably for the best. Because something about Riley Bennett was already getting under my skin. And I hadn't even seen her skate yet.

A few minutes later, everyone started heading toward the ice. I grabbed my helmet from my locker and I caught sight of Riley adjusting her shoulder pads. Focused. Calm. Ready. Like she genuinely believed she belonged here. I leaned closer as I passed.

"This isn't a publicity shoot.” The words came out colder than I'd intended. But I didn't take them back. For a second, something flashed across her face. Not hurt. Not fear. But anger. Then it disappeared. Her green eyes locked onto mine. Steady and unwavering.

"No," she said quietly. A smirk tugged at her lips. "It's a hockey team.” Then she turned away. Just like that. Leaving me standing there. For some reason, my chest tightened. Not guilt. Definitely not guilt. Frustration. Because she didn't react the way I expected. Most people either argued or backed down. Riley Bennett did neither. She simply challenged me back. And somehow that was worse.

I watched her grab her helmet and walk toward the tunnel leading to the rink while the team followed.

I stayed where I was for a moment. Something nagged at me. A feeling I couldn't quite identify. Then Connor appeared beside me. "She's going to be trouble.” I snorted. "You're right.” I answered and Connor laughed. "That's not what I meant.” Before I could ask what he meant, he walked away. I stared toward the tunnel. Toward the ice. Toward Riley Bennett. Then I shook my head. None of this mattered. In an hour I'd know the truth. Either she'd prove she belonged here or she'd prove I was right.