Chapter 22: Lonely hearts

Did you see that goal last night?” Damien asked, tossing his hockey stick onto the floor, his eyes were still bright from the game.

Jack laughed, shaking his head. “Man, you’re obsessed. You’re playing like a pro though, when’s the next match?”

“Friday night, i’ve got to be sharp if I want to keep my spot on the team,” Damien said, stretching his arms.

Just then, Lydia walked in, her smile wide and her eyes sparkling. “Talking hockey, huh? I’m a big fan too.”

Damien glanced at her, surprised but pleased. “Really? You follow the games?”

Lydia nodded, folding her arms. “Especially the playoffs and your moves on the ice? Impressive.”

“Hey Jack…coach wants to see you,” a voice called behind them.

Jack smirked,”I'll catch you guys later, I have to go. I don't know what coach wants to say."

Damien brushed his had on his hair. “ Just keep me updated." Jack runs off.

When the door closed behind Jack, Lydia took a step closer to Damien. Her voice softened, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

“I like you, Damien not just as a teammate or a friend, I’ve been trying to say it for a while now.”

Damien blinked, caught off guard. He looked down for a moment, then met her eyes. “You’re serious, we just met not long ago?”

Lydia nodded, her heart pounding. “Yeah. I know it might change things between us, but I had to tell you.”

For a few seconds, the room felt still, the only sound their breathing. Damien smiled, a little shy but warm. “well it's cool you told you, I can't forget the fact that you save saves my life.”

Lydia’s smile grew wider, relief flooding her. “So, what happens now?”

Damien shrugged playfully. “How about we start by watching the next game together? I’ll teach you some moves off the ice.”

She laughed softly. “That'll be nice.”

The tension between them melted, replaced by a quiet hope. For once, the game wasn’t the only thing worth winning.

Damien stared at Lydia, her soft smile still lingering in his mind. The way she had just confessed her feelings had caught him completely off guard. For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, slowly, she leaned in and kissed him. It was gentle at first she was testing him, Damien didn't respond but quickly the kiss deepened, like something they both had been holding back for a while.

When they pulled apart, Lydia’s cheeks were flushed, and Damien’s heart raced.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” she said softly.

Damien smirked. “Really.”

The next morning, the school was buzzing with cheers and noise.Everyone was excited for the big hockey game, Damien was in the locker room early, tightening his skates and running through plays in his head. His teammates patted him on the back, hyping each other up. It was their last home game before the playoffs.

When he skated onto the ice, the bleachers were packed, sudents held signs with his name, the cheerleaders were screaming, and the energy in the air was electric.

The whistle blew and the puck dropped.

Damien didn’t waste a second, he moved fast, calculating all his moves, he made sharp turns, clean passes and a flawless control. He scored the first goal in the opening minutes, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The other team tried to block him, but he was already gone before they got close.

By the third period, Damien had scored twice, assisted two more, and their team led 4–1, his confidence soared. Every move felt natural, instinctive like he could predict what the other team would do before they did it.

When the buzzer sounded, the game ended in a win. Damien raised his stick, his teammates piling on him in celebration. The crowd chanted his name as they skated off the rink.

But just as Damien stepped off the ice, a hand grabbed his arm, the grip was tight and aggressive.

It was Cole, he had been watching the way Damien played.

“Watch your back, Hayes,” Cole muttered, his voice low and sharp.

Damien pulled his arm away. “What’s your problem?”

Cole’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not just good, you’re too good. Like you knew every move before we made it.”

Damien’s jaw clenched.

Cole leaned closer. “No one plays that clean, you’re hiding something and I’ll find out what it is.”

Damien rolled his eyes, brushing sweat off his forehead. “You’ve done this before, Cole. Stalking me, making threats. Did you find anything last time? No.”

Cole smirked, stepping closer. “Not yet, but I’m watching you and when I find out your secrets and I will, they’re going to be all over school. You’ll wish you never laced up those skates.”

Before Damien could respond, Jack walked in, backpack slung over one shoulder. “Seriously, Cole? You’re still on this? You sound like a broken record.”

Cole’s head snapped toward Jack. Without warning, he grabbed Jack by the collar. “I wasn’t talking to you. Stay out of it, you keep defending him, and you’ll both end up behind bars.”

Jack didn’t flinch. He smirked. “Yeah, just like your brother, right?”

Damien stiffened beside them, eyes going wide. He hadn’t expected Jack to go there.

Cole’s jaw tightened. “Watch your mouth, Jack.”

“Why? Afraid it’s true?” Jack shoved Cole’s hand off his shirt. “Just admit it, you’re jealous. Damien’s out here scoring winning goals, and you’re just background noise.”

Cole laughed bitterly. “Better to be background noise than a benchwarmer.”

Jack shrugged. “Please…. I’m only on the team because my mum insisted, but you? You better watch your back, with the way Damien’s playing, you might not have a spot much longer.”

Cole frowned, his fists clenched at his sides but instead of throwing a punch, he gave them both a long glare and stormed off, shoving past a few students on his way out.

Jack turned to Damien. “Man’s got issues.”

Damien let out a breath. “Yeah and he’s not going to stop.”

“Let him talk,” Jack said with a shrug. “You’ve got the skills. That’s what’s pissing him off.”

Damien nodded slowly, but the tension in his chest didn’t go away. Cole’s threats were getting louder and more dangerous, he had to do something.