Gongshow

The boys all sat silently in the change room. The only type of staff in the room was Jagr, who was more like a student, and was focused on getting the blood to stop gushing from the cut on Jacob's nose. He managed to stop it and stitched it up. Not like Jacob had that nice of a face to begin with. Jagr packed up his things and walked out. Jacob started stripping down. He let out a hiss when his hand his something. The other guy's head did some damage.

"Nice fight, man." Morgan said, extending his hand to props Jacob.

"Maybe you should've done it earlier, or waited until another game." Nathan growled.

"Maybe you should've passed the puck, you fucking nut." Jacob shook his head.

Dustin, Jamie, and Phil walked into the change room just in time. They started mumbling to each other. Nathan and Jacob sat on opposite sides of the room, glaring at each other as the peeled off their equipment. Every other player was waiting for something to happen. Neither Jacob, nor Nathan knew when to stop. It was about to be a good post game.

"Go fucking figure." Griffin's voice boomed again. "You played like a fucking plug all game so you're trying to take it out on other people."

"How did I play like a plug?" Nathan yelped.

"Look at the only person who didn't get a point on his line." Griffin chuckled. "What happened to a point a game?"

"Jacob's fighting was the only reason we lost in that OT." Nathan stated.

"Your ego is the fucking problem! Get over yourself, kid." Griffin finished.

"Are we done?" Dustin yelled.

Griffin nodded with a shrug. "For now."

They got their after game speech. It was the same as always. They could play better and they were better than the way they played. Dustin praised them on the four goals they managed to have, but told the he needed more. They were scrimmaging at practice the next day. Dustin evenly distrubted everyone into teams before they left. That way they would know whether to wear their white or red practice jerseys. With that, they got to leave.

The next day, some were more than happy for the scrimmage while others still didn't want to be there. Scrimmaging gave them time to practice their plays and defense. The teams warmed up on opposite sides of the ice. Dustin made a big mistake. Nathan and Griffin were currently feuding and on different teams. They both had a target. Nathan's wasn't Griffin though. Nathan's was the younger Reinhart. As much as it wasn't Sam's fault that Audrey had no interest in Nathan, he wanted to believe it was. Nathan was out for Sam the entire time. Every time Sam was hit by Nathan, Nathan was hit by Griffin. Eventually, Nathan had enough.

He laid Sam out. Sam laid on the ice. He wasn't hurt, but he was winded. Griffin charged at Nathan. Nathan threw his gloves and Griffin did as well. Nathan instantly regretted his decision. Griffin was 6'4, 212 pounds, and filled with rage. Nathan was expecting one hit from Griffin to knock him out. Griffin grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. Nathan closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to watch his death. Instead, Griffin just shoved him to the ground.

"Grow up, MacKinnon." He hissed above him.

"What the fuck? What is going on between the two of you?" Dustin hollered as he walked across the ice.

"It's not with me. I'm just watching out for him." Griffin pointed at Sam with his thumb.

"What's the problem with you two?" Dustin said, his voice loud.

Sam shrugged, looking at Nathan. Nathan's eyes stayed on the ice. Sam looked to his coach. Dustin shook his head. He walked to Nathan and pulled him up off the ice then he did the same to Sam.

"Both of you can stay and talk to me after practice." He said before walking back to the bench. "Keep playing and no more fighting!"

The scrimmage went on. The red team won. That was the team Nathan was on and even though he did nothing to help, everyone was still excited. Everyone was laughing and joking around, except Sam. In all the years he played hockey, he'd never been told to stay after practice. Well, he had, but never so he could be talked to. Sam was always getting praised. He was all about hockey. Nathan needed to realize that. Sam finished changing and showered. He came back to the last few guys leaving. Nathan turned to Sam and glared as he made his way to the shower. He came out after and sat in his spot. Dustin came in.

"What is this about?" He sighed.

"Coach, I have no idea. Honestly." Sam said.

"Nathan?" Dustin called on him.

"I don't really wanna talk about it." Nathan mumbled.

"Look, I don't care what it's about. Girls, talking shit, maybe even a guy," Both guys exclaimed 'woah's. Dustin held out his hand to silence them. "The point is you are teammates and a team is the second closest thing to a family. By being dumbasses, you're letting us down, your family down. So stop being selfish and figure it out."

With that, he walked out. Nathan walked over to his stuff and started grabbing it all. Sam grabbed his and followed behind Nathan. He grabbed his arm, pulling him back. Nathan furrowed his brows at Sam. He yanked his arm out of Sam's grip.

"You need to fucking chill." Sam hissed. "I don't want Audrey."

"Then stay away from her." Nathan huffed.

"It's not gonna change her mind. She doesn't want to be with you." Sam rolled his eyes.

"How do you know? Maybe you always being around her is toying with her emotions." Nathan suggested.

Sam shook his head. "I've talked to her twice outside of school. We're neighbours."

"Then move." Nathan spat, bumping his shoulder as he passed Sam.

Notes

Terminology

Plug - player who is the useless part of the team. He is the "orange cone" on the ice. Always in your way and never does anything to help your team win.