Seb
I showered and dressed faster than I thought possible, wanting an advantage over Calloway when I confronted him. Or beat the snot out of him. Whichever. The guy had been a dick throughout the game, even refusing to speak to me about plays, which was unacceptable. The team shouldn’t suffer because one guy wants to be a bastard.
Speak of the devil… Sasquatch emerged from the showers, a towel wrapped around the tree trunk he called a waist. Wearing my NHL mandated suit and tie, I at least felt like I had the upper hand as I approached, what with Calloway half naked and all.
The big defenseman's back was facing me when I came to a stop a few feet from Calloway's cubby.
“Calloway.”
His heavily muscled shoulders bunched up tight. Oh yeah, Sasquatch knew I stood behind him, yet the rude asshat continued to get dressed, forcing me to wait, which pissed me right the fuck off. Twitch, twitch, twitch… The brushoff combined with the infuriating spasms in my left eye sparked an all-too-familiar wrath deep in my gut. My emotions, and actions, were about to spiral out of control if I couldn't get a grip.
I closed my eyes, clenched my hands, and breathed. In through the nose… one… two. Out through the mouth… one… two. I continued breathing as I pictured the invisible demon that rode me for most of my life, and with both hands, pushed back at my infamous temper. In… one…two. Out… one… two. When I was calm enough to open my eyes, I found Calloway in his suit, looming over me, scowl firmly in place.
“What do you want, St. Clair?”
Calloway's tone held the disdain of someone who stepped in a pile of dog shit while wearing a new pair of Pradas. I swallowed back the urge to say fuck it and pummel Bigfoot’s face into ground beef. Instead, I shoved my hands into my pockets to make them behave. Punching a teammate in the locker room on his first day was highly frowned upon. I would know. I may or may not have done it once… or twice. Possibly three times, but that one was not my fault.
I exhaled and worked my jaw back and forth, then stepped closer, hating that I had to tip my head back so I wasn't staring at Sasquatch’s thick neck. How tall was he anyway? Seven fucking feet? I sucked up as much pride as possible and swallowed down the bile that threatened to rise.
“We’re teammates now, which means whether we like it or not, we have a duty to protect each other's asses.”
Calloway raised a single dark brow, which made me want to slap the condescension right off the motherfucker’s face. “So?”
“So…” I growled, already sick of the patronizing attitude. “Just because we're on the same team doesn't mean I'm going to sit back while you intentionally injure my little bro. Don't think for a minute there won't be repercussions if you do.” Without realizing it, my hands had curled into fists in my pockets, squeezing so tight my fingernails were going to leave grooves in my palms.
Sasquatch's response to my threat wasn't anger, wasn't aggravation. Wasn’t even slight annoyance. No, the fucker grinned.
“Repercussions? Like what?” He scoffed and summarily dismissed me with a casual wave of one of his massive meat paws. “Fuck off, St. Clair.”
When the maudit bâtard turned around and showed me his backside, I darted out a hand, grabbed Calloway’s massive bicep, and squeezed just hard enough to let him know it wasn't an empty threat. I was dead serious. His wide grin faded into a sneer and his black eyes flashed.
“Get your hand off me before I rip it from your body and use it as a puck.”
Hmph. Straight to violence. Maybe we’re more similar than I thought. And wasn’t that as unwelcome as a turd in a punch bowl.
I released Calloway's arm, but didn't back off. “You're going to learn something about me, Sasquatch.” I ignored Calloway's low growl. It took most of my concentration not to slip into my native Québécois. I wanted him to know exactly what I was saying. “I might be an asshole with a violent streak a mile long, but I'm very protective of my friends and family, and I'm fiercely goddamn loyal.” I leaned in closer. “Believe me when I say, you don't want to test exactly how protective or how loyal I can be.” I relaxed my features and took a step back. “Now, you can either be a part of the group I protect,” I brushed off my lapels, “or the object of my anger. It's your choice.”
The world must've stopped spinning because, to my utter shock, Calloway's harsh expression faded. Not much, but hey, I took what I could get, if it meant I wouldn't end up suspended for busting Sasquatch’s big fat jaw, or flattened under his size sixteens. He nodded and I thought I might have just landed in the Twilight Zone.
“That's the first thing that's ever come out of your mouth I actually respect.”
My jaw hit the floor. Honest to god, I hadn't expected him to agree and had no response when he did. For once in my life, I was struck dumb. I scrambled for a reply that didn't involve hitting something or come across as condescending.
I failed spectacularly.
“Uhhh, oh. Well, okay then. So… good talk.” I took another step back. “I’m glad we agree.” Calloway cocked his head, narrowed his eyes, and gave me a strange look, then turned back to his locker to finish getting dressed.
That was… weird. And unexpected.
I took a moment to mull over our conversation, then decided it was time to leave before Calloway changed his mind and rounded back on me with a donkey punch to the head. Plus, I had somewhere to be, and I couldn't fucking wait. I wasn't ashamed to admit I was a little freaked out by Calloway’s seemingly easy capitulation, but I was also vibrating with excitement to see if Hot Blonde accepted my invitation.
“Sebby!” Evvy caught up with me by the door and walked out to the player's lot alongside me. The hotel was attached to the arena, but there was no way I was leaving my car here. Too many questions. “A bunch of us are going out. You in?”
“You know I hate it when you call me Sebby.”
Evvy smirked. “Yeah, but St. Clairey or Clairezy doesn't have that snappy sound to it.” He gave me a playful shove.
I chuckled and pretended to take a minute to think about his offer. Didn’t want Ev to start asking questions. No way was I about to jinx my chance with Hot Blonde by talking about her. Plus, I had no doubt Evvy would have plenty to say about my stalkerish way of reaching out.