Breaking The Ice

CHAPTER 8

Jaxon POV

The arena buzzed with the kind of energy only hockey could create. Not even close to a championship crowd. But for an exhibition game, there were enough people filling the stands to make the atmosphere feel alive. I adjusted the strap beneath my chin as we gathered in the tunnel leading to the ice. The familiar smell of sharpened steel, fresh ice, and adrenaline settled something inside me. This was where everything made sense.

Coach Reynolds paced in front of us. "This is an exhibition.” he said, looking each of us in the eye. "The score doesn't matter.” Gray leaned toward Tyler. "So we're allowed to lose?” Coach didn't miss a beat. “No." Coach barked, making the team laugh. Coach pointed toward the tunnel. "It doesn't count in the standings.” He paused. "But it counts in here.” He tapped the Wolf Ridge logo stitched across his chest. "You wear that jersey, you represent every player who's worn it before you."

His eyes landed briefly on Riley. "You earn it every time you step on the ice.” Riley gave one sharp nod. She looked calm. Too calm. Most freshmen looked like they were about to throw up before their first game but not Riley. She stood quietly near the back of the line, helmet tucked beneath one arm, eyes fixed on the tunnel ahead. Focused.

The announcer's voice echoed through the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen... welcome your Wolf Ridge Wolves!” The crowd erupted. Coach clapped his hands. "Let's go.” He ordered. One by one we skated onto the ice. The cold hit immediately. The roar of the crowd grew louder. I circled once through the neutral zone before joining warmups.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Riley take her first lap around the rink. She wasn't looking at the crowd. She wasn't searching the stands. She was watching the ice. Studying it. Learning the boards. The bounce. The corners. Good. I thought, that's exactly what she should be doing.

Warmups ended quickly. Coach gathered us one last time. "Starting line.” He called names. When he reached the defense pairings, he looked toward Riley. "Bennett. Reed.” Easton nodded once. "You ready?” Riley smiled at him. "I've been ready.” She said coolly and Easton smirked. "I like the confidence.” He told her.

Coach looked at me. “Hayes." He called. “Yeah?" I answered automatically. "Keep talking.” Coach said, standing back. I frowned. “What?" I asked, suddenly taken aback. "You're the captain.” That was all he said before he skated away. I knew exactly what he meant. Communication. If Riley was going to settle in, she needed to hear us. Not just me but everyone.

The opening faceoff hit the ice and the game exploded into motion. Exhibition or not, nobody was holding back. The opposing team came out flying. Heavy forecheck and fast transitions. They wanted to make a statement. So did we.

The first few shifts passed without incident. Riley looked… At home… Comfortable. More comfortable than I expected. She wasn't flashy or trying to force anything. She made a simple play and the right play. Exactly what a defenseman should do… Then came her first mistake. The opposing winger chipped the puck deep. Riley reached it first but instead of reversing it around the boards, she tried to carry it out herself.

The forechecker closed the gap instantly. Too late. He stripped the puck. A dangerous scoring chance developed. "Damn it.” Without thinking, I dropped lower into the slot. "Right side!" I shouted. Riley reacted immediately. She tied up the trailing forward while I cut off the passing lane. Connor got back as Easton cleared the crease. The puck bounced harmlessly into the corner. Crisis over, I sighed.

The whistle blew moments later. As we skated toward the bench, Riley pulled off her mouthguard. "My fault.” She admitted. Coach hadn't even opened his mouth yet before I shook my head. "You had the right idea.” I told her. She frowned. “But it didn't work.” She said. "Because you played it like junior hockey.” I told her. She looked at me so I continued. ”This league closes faster.” I explained and understanding dawned on her face. "Reverse it next time.” I said and she nodded once. "No hesitation.” She said. "No hesitation.” I confirmed. Coach watched the exchange from the bench. He didn't interrupt nor did he need to.

Halfway through the second period, Riley corrected it perfectly. Same situation. Same pressure. This time she didn't think. She trusted us. One quick reverse behind the net and Easton picked it up. Connor flew through center. Tape-to-tape. Clean breakout. As the crowd applauded as the play developed, I found myself smiling. Just for a second. She'd learned and quickly too.

The game stayed tied until late in the third. Two-two. Coach shortened the bench. Every shift mattered now. I hopped over the boards with Connor and Tyler. Riley and Easton stayed behind us as the opposing team pressed hard.

One of their forwards cut through the middle. Tyler forced him wide but the shot came anyway. Aron kicked the rebound out, Right to Riley, but sshe didn't panic. She settled the puck. Looked up. Saw me streaking through center and passed the hit perfectly.

I accelerated. Connor joined the rush. Two-on-one. The defenseman committed. I slid the puck across. Connor buried it. GOAL!.

The arena erupted. Connor pointed straight at Riley before celebrating. "Great pass!” Tyler skated over. "That's the breakout!” Even Easton slapped the top of her helmet. "Nice read.” Riley smiled. A genuine one. Not because she'd gotten an assist. Because she'd finally trusted the system. Exactly what we'd been working on.

The Wolves held on to win 3 to 2. It was only an exhibition, but the locker room celebrated like we'd won something much bigger. Confidence mattered. Especially this early in the season. As we headed toward the bus, I stopped outside the arena to answer a question from one of the assistant coaches. By the time I finished, most of the team had already disappeared toward the parking lot but I spotted Riley near the entrance. She'd been stopped by three players from the opposing team.

One of them laughed. "You Bennett?” She nodded. “Yeah." He shrugged before saying. "I'll give you credit.” She waited.

"I thought Wolf Ridge only recruited you for the publicity.” The smile disappeared from her face and I felt something tighten in my chest. Another player chuckled. "Guess they wanted to sell more tickets.” For a heartbeat, Riley just stood there. Then she squared her shoulders. "I don't need to explain how I got here.” She said, steel in her voice. “No," one of them replied. "You just got lucky."

Before I realized I was moving, I was already beside her.

The conversation stopped as the players eyes turned to me. One of them smiled. “Oh… The captain.” The one sneered. I didn't smile back. "You got something to say?” I asked coldly. He shrugged. "We're just talking.” He said. “No." I said and I stepped closer. "You're talking.” Silence settled over the group. I looked him straight in the eye. "She earned that jersey.” I said and nobody spoke. "She earned every minute she played tonight.” The player shifted awkwardly.

"I didn't mean…” he started to say but I cut him off. "I don't care what you meant.” My voice stayed calm. "But if you're going to talk about one of my teammates…" I glanced toward the Wolf Ridge logo on Riley's chest. "...make sure you've got the facts first."

For a long moment, nobody moved. Then one of the opposing players muttered, "Come on.” They walked away without another word as the parking lot grew quiet again. I exhaled slowly. Only then did I realize what I'd done.

I looked at Riley. She was staring at me. Not surprised. Not amused. Just... searching my face. Finally, she spoke. “Thanks." I rubbed the back of my neck. "Don't make a habit of needing me to rescue you.” I said, trying not to sound awkward. The corner of her mouth lifted. "I think I had it handled.” She simply said. "You probably did.” A small smile escaped her. "So why'd you step in?"

I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. Because I didn't have an answer that made any sense. Finally, I settled on the truth. "You're a Wolf.” She looked down at the logo on her jersey before meeting my eyes again. Something softened in her expression. "So I am."

For the first time since Riley Bennett had walked into our locker room… The words didn't feel strange. They felt right.