Kaden whipped around, ready to rip the asshole a new one. The look on his face was priceless when he realized that asshole was our team captain, the last guy on our team we had any interest in messing with. He scrambled out of his chair, almost tipping it over, and made a hasty retreat.

Ice claimed the recently vacated seat and sucked down water from many of the glasses placed on the table by our conscientious waitress. I’d never seen Ice drink anything with alcohol in it and had heard he was a recovering alcoholic. I didn’t know, and I wasn’t asking.

I avoided his gaze, wishing he’d go away and leave me alone. I didn’t know why he’d taken me on as his personal project. While I was flattered, I preferred flying under the radar right now.

In practice, he always made a point of skating with me, forcing me to go up against the best defenseman in the league. My game was steadily improving, even with tonight’s setback. Playing against Ice either improved a guy or broke him. I was proud to say I hadn’t broken, only become stronger.

“What the fuck happened to you tonight, rook?” Ice demanded, not holding back. He tapped on his glass with a fork for emphasis.

“Bad game. We all have them,” I muttered defensively and slouched down into my chair. I crossed my arms over my chest and glowered stubbornly, refusing to look our fearless leader in the eye.

He was quiet for a long time. Ice wasn’t one to waste words, which was why we listened when he spoke. Regardless, his silence disconcerted me. I chanced a glance his direction. He was rubbing his chin and studying me thoughtfully.

“Yeah, well, I guess you were due for an off night,” he conceded, much to my surprise. He waved his hand at the waitress. “Can I get a Coke, a chicken Caesar, and a T-bone, medium-rare? Oh, and add shrimp and a baked potato, everything on it. The rookie here is paying tonight. Put it on his bill.” He pointed at me with a rare twinkle in his eyes.

The waitress nodded and cast a sultry smile in my direction. I ignored her and hunkered down in my chair. I wasn’t in the mood for flirting.

“Hey, guys, did you hear that?” Cedric shouted gleefully, getting everyone’s attention. “Big E, here, is treating us tonight. Eat up and enjoy!”

Cheers went around the table. I sighed. I’d known my time was coming. Kaden and Steele had already covered a couple bills. My turn. Next year we’d have our shot at torturing the next group of rookies.

Cedric and Rush raised their hands to get the waitress’s attention and ordered steak and the best Scotch in the house. I rolled my eyes, even as I was resigned to my fate.

When I turned my attention back to Ice, he was scrutinizing me with one of his patented intense expressions.

“How’s Avery doing? I notice she’s not here tonight,” I asked, hoping to shift the subject away from my bad night. Ice’s wife was a horse trainer and a really nice, down-to-earth person. She was also my cousin Coop’s sister-in-law. He was married to her sister.