When he left, I turned to Ryan with steam coming out of my ears. “What the hell?”

“Don’t worry, Derrik is starting on center and he’s good. Coach won’t want to make the switch after intermission. I doubt you’ll make it on tonight. And if you do…” he scanned me and shrugged, “just do whatever the hell it was you did at practice.”

I never answered Ryan when he asked me how I made that shot and if I ever played before. I simply said you’re welcome and walked out that afternoon.

I blinked. “After tonight, Troy is your problem. I’m done.”

Simon and Ryan nodded in acknowledgment.

Minutes later, we were all at the entrance as Simon started a brief strategy huddle. I found myself agreeing with the plan—both internally as an ex-player and as Troy’s stand-in. I had to admit, it was a tiny bit refreshing to be around guys as tall as my six-foot four height.

I heard our cue in the distance followed by immediate cheering. Endless, ear popping cheers as we glided across the ice. Some praising Hartman with motivational signs, others shook heads in disappointment as I went by.

Yeah, I was pretty disappointed in myself too right about now. The hell had I gotten myself into?

I slipped into the plexiglass enclosed bench with a few other players and waited for it to die down. But it only turned into boos when the opposing team took the ice and the teams lined up for face-off.

A rush of adrenaline hit me as the puck dropped. I wasn’t on the ice, this wasn’t my team, and hell this wasn’t even my job, but my eyes were glued to that puck waiting for one of the Blades to hit it off the air and take that first shot.

No luck.

The Chicago Icers landed it and struck first at the tough piece of rubber.

I swallowed as I felt the intensity of the game get to me and sat myself back on the bench. My right hand jerked to rub at the bridge of my nose as I typically did when something aggravated me at the office.

But I wasn’t at the office.

I wasn’t wearing one of my Armani suits.

I could have removed my helmet. Hell, I should have. I needed to breathe. But even though my brother and I were identical, I was almost afraid of being recognized as not being him.

I hadn’t played in two years. Not since the year of the draft. And even then, I’d been avoiding the ice for months at that point.

But when they called my name, my chest burned before my eyes shot to Ryan, who skated over to me, breathless from that last period. “Just avoid it and if it comes your way, do what you did Sunday.”