It had been several days since both of the teams brawled it out on the ice. Both of the coaches were hugely disappointed in the teams.

Adrian's injuries caused him to be put on bed rest for several days. A concussion was quickly ruled out so he had to just focus on resting his ankle. His cheek was still bruised from the heaviness of the glove's impact to his face when Hanes punched him. Adrian didn't even realise he was bruised as his attention was brought to his head and foot.

Being in bed rest gave Adrian some alone time. He was able to study more which helped him improve his grades. He was less stressed as he felt less pressure from always performing well. He got to think about Brody a lot while he wasn't in school.

'It's player solidarity why you like him, it's just admiration.' Adrian told himself.

'He helped you when you were hurt, it's the Florence Nightingale Effect.' Adrian reasoned with himself.

'You don't like him, you don't like him, you don't like him...' Adrian kept repeating.

'You're not gay...' Adrian whispered.

Adrian was starting to get antsy just sitting in his room, he needed a break from everything. Adrian grabbed his hockey stick and left his house, making his way to the school stadium.

~~~~~~~~~~

It took longer than usual for Adrian to make his way to the stadium. Although his ankle was feeling better, it still wasn't 100% recovered.

Adrian thought he would be alone when he made his way to the rink. With it being so late and not seeing any cars nearby, Adrian thought the stadium would be empty.

So it was strange for Adrian to see Brody all alone on the ice rink. Brody had several pucks lined up at the centre as he kept practicing his shots. Adrian watched as Brody got every single one in the net, aimed at all of the five holes scoring areas at a fast speed.

"He really is good." Adrian whispered to himself.

Brody turned his body around as he thought he heard something. As he did, he saw Adrian standing by the rink.

Brody skated his way to Adrian, happy to see him there. Offering a smile, "Adrian, I didn't expect to see you here."

Adrian answered. "I was going crazy hoarded in my room, I wanted to do something to ease my mind."

Brody nodded his head. "I see."

It was now Adrian's turn to ask. "How come you're here so late?"

"Same as you really, I usually practice late at night and on my own whenever I want to relax." Brody told Adrian truthfully.

Adrian wanted more space away from Brody, a Brody-free setting - not more personal alone time with him. He couldn't risk having more feelings grow when he didn't want them to.

"I'll leave you to it then." Adrian offered a small smile before turning back around.

"Wait!" Brody loudly spoke. "I don't mind practicing with each other if you don't." Brody had suggested.

Adrian should have declined his offer, he should have just walked away and left him too it.

But Brody started antagonising him, "Besides, I've been asking around and Adam seems to think you're this big shot star player."

Brody smiled mischievously as he continued. "Let's see what all the fuss is about then."

Adrian knew that Brody was trying to goad him...

And it worked.

"You can see it when I get recruited to play nationally." Adrian cockily smirked at Brody. "But for now, I'll wipe the floor with you right here to save the embarrassment of doing it in front of everyone."

Brody laughed at how bold Adrian was being, Brody stepped out of the way and gestured Adrian to step into the rink and show him how good he was.

~~~~~~~~~~

They had been going at it for over a hour now. Both of them showing of to each other their power shots, their quick dribbling and their saucer passes.

During that time they got to know a little bit more about each other when they weren't showing off.

Adrian told Brody how he and Adam became best friends. Adrian talked briefly about how he got into hockey and even how supportive his mom is about everything.

Brody told Adrian about how he was brought up in foster care. He told him how he always loved skating as a kid and then he also talked about how he knew Ashley ever since they grew up in care together.

"That explains why you and Ashley are super close with each other." Adrian told Brody as he continued shooting the puck into the net.

"There's no one I care for as much as I do for Ashley. She was there for me throughout everything." Brody explained.

Something Brody said caused Adrian to grow green with envy and jealousy. 'So they're definitely a couple then...'

That realisation hurt Adrian in an unexpected way. 'Am I mad that he's taken her? Or am I mad HE'S taken...'

That caused Adrian to smash the puck so fast they could hear the wind coming from the puck.

The puck landed right by the crossbar and landed in the net. "I see why everyone thinks you're so great." Brody grinned at Adrian.

Adrian didn't feel like being around Brody anymore and he wanted to be on his own. "I think I'm going to head back now."

"Oh okay then, this was really fun." Brody smiled.

Adrian didn't return that same smile as he left the rink - not saying goodbye as he left feeling depleted and drained.

Brody was now left alone on the rink.

~~~~~~~~~~

Adrian had a restless night's sleep after everything that happened the night before.

After spending some alone time with Brody as well as learning about his history with Ashley, there was no denying that he felt something.

Swirling around his head were a mixture of emotions that wouldn't stop.

'Am I Jealous of them?'

'Is it envy that I feel?'

'Does this mean I like him?'

'Or do I actually like her?'

Adrian felt someone nudge his arm, he turned around and saw it was Adam who was trying to get his attention.

"Dude you looked completely zoned out." Adam told Adrian.

Adrian covered his hands with his face as he started rubbing his eyes. "I'm just really tired, I couldn't sleep properly last night." Adrian yawned to emphasised his point.

"Are you going to be alright for practice?" Adam checked his watch. "We've got about another 5 minutes spare before we have to go."

Adrian stood up from his chair and stretched his arms up to the sky. "The cold will probably wake me up anyway."

Adrian gathered his bags while Adam followed suit. "Let's get going."

~~~~~~~~~~

Truthfully Adrian may not have been in the right state to play. As coach was talking, Adrian was barely paying attention and couldn't comprehend what he was saying.

"Coach Sheen and I thought that we should make use of this merger and practice together WITH supervision..." Coach Taylor looked at all the players. "We don't want another ridiculous brawl when it's barely been a week since this all started."

Coach Sheen continued to speak for Coach Taylor. "We paired each of you with someone from the other team. While one of you will be in defence and protect the goal, the other person will be on the offence and take shots."

That's when Adam decided to raise his hand and speak. "Umm why do we need to be with them to practice when we could just do all of that with our own team?"

Croyden joined in the conversation. "That plug's right."

"Fuck you!" Adam quickly shouted back. That earned a laugh from all of the Eagles, before Coach Sheen blew his whistle.

"That's enough! We are practicing like this because we said so! Let's get started!" Coach Sheen ended the conversation as he blew his whistle again.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The practice wasn't as bad as everyone had thought so. They all managed to work some of their aggression out, even if there were more verbal fights than physical fights.

Adrian managed to set aside his feelings while on the ice, just focusing on playing. That was until it was time for a break and he saw someone come in through the main door.

"Brody!" Ashley greeted him with two cups of coffee in her hand.

Adrian watched from across the ice as they hugged each other whilst Brody took the coffee from her hand. Adrian clenched his hands as he saw them.

Adam approached Adrian holding two bottles of water. Offering one to Adrian, "Here..."

Adrian was too focused on the couple in front of him to accept the bottle. He continued watching them looking all cosy and friendly as they were making jokes and laughing with each other.

Adam turned to look at the couple before turning to Adrian. "Adrian mate I think you need to let her go, there's no need to get angry just because they're together."

'If only it was just that...' Adrian thought to himself.

Coach Taylor blew his whistle before signalling the players to get back on the ice. "Next round is star player versus star player. Jones, you're in defence and Sinclair, you're in offence."

Both of them followed their instructions as they grabbed their stick and put their helmet back on.

Once they made it to their spots, Brody was first to make his move. With in an instant, Brody dashed forward with the puck. Going at a lightning speed, Brody managed hit the puck against the wall - causing it to rebound. Brody glided passed Adrian and shot the puck at the back of the net.

Adrian gritted his teeth at his failure to defend the goal. Everyone else was cheering for Brody - including a loud Ashley. "Great job Brody!"

Brody smiled as he skated past Adrian. "I thought you were meant to wipe the floor with me?" Brody teased.

The teasing only antagonised Adrian. Now swapping positions, Adrian made a move.

Adrian wanted to slide the puck in between Brody's leg and shoot at the net. However he didn't predict that Brody would not only block it but trip Adrian at the same time.

Adrian tumbled over the ice as Brody successfully stole the puck from him - defending the goal.

Adrian stayed down on the ice, defeated as he heard a barrage of insults from the sideline.

'That's their star player? Someone who tripped over themselves.'

'How is that your best player.'

'What was that?'

'Pathetic.'

Brody stood over Adrian, continuing to tease him. "Looks like you're cleaning the floor rather than wiping the floor with me." Brody was smirking playfully but Adrian saw it as more venom beneath his polished exterior.

Brody offered his hand to help Adrian up but Adrian smacked it away. "I don't need your help asshole!"

Adrian stood up from the ice by himself and left the rink, despite all of the calls from everyone.

==========