“Liam, I am going to talk and you’re going to listen. You’re a mess. I have seen better skating from damn children. You are going to get your head on the ice or you will be warming the bench,” he states with conviction. Ice floods my veins at the thought of being benched. I might not be in it 100 per cent, but there is no damn way I am giving up the first away game for some new kid that’s still wet behind the ears. Not a chance in hell.

“I don’t know what to do Coach – my head isn’t fully in it, but you know I am a damn good player,” I argue. I know he knows. I am trying to remind myself.

Coach shakes his head. “Look, the new kid is chomping at the bit to get out there, so either you show me the Ruin I know or Michelson goes out for you.”

Shit. Micah Michelson is not taking my spot. I knew I was in trouble when they signed a new forward, but knowing I was retiring soon made me feel safe, as though they wouldn’t sub me knowing the number of games I have are limited.

“Thanks, Coach.” There is nothing else to say and we both know it. My face must look like thunder when I walk back into the locker room. All of the boys whisper in my direction as I all but stomp to my stuff.

“Rookie you might want to do some extra stretches, Ruin might be warming the bench.” Edge nudges Michelson, but his joking tone hides the question he wants to ask. He wants to know if I have been benched. Not yet I haven’t, and I won’t be if I have any control over it.

“Fuck you, Edge,” I say as Jonas interrupts:

“Wait, but I’m the rookie, eh?”

“No Jonas, you’re just Jonas now. Micah is the rookie this season.” Edge delivers the bad news with a shit-eating grin, Rook just opens and closes his mouth in shock.

“No way! That’s my damn nickname, eh,” he protests.

“Shut up, Jonas,” I tell him. I am going to get in the zone if it kills me. Or if I have to kill him.

I take the next half-hour to force my routine. I sit silently letting any adrenalin build. Anders keeps eyeing me from across the room, but I pretend not to see him. I’m not in the mood for his motivational crap right now. All I want is to get on the ice and feel the cheers of the crowd. At home games, it’s been the only thing that has managed to calm my mind so here’s hoping it will work tonight.