The stadium was packed with people in the audience, all enjoying the exhibition match between the Ravens and the Eagles.

The game proceeded to overtime as the final period ended with a tie, due to Adrian's assist making Adam score against the Eagles. Managing to score the last needed goal, they stuck with the same strategy to clench the victory against their rivals.

With the puck in his possession Adrian skated on the side of the rink, out speeding the Eagles as he dribbled the puck with refined precision and a fast pace. Adrian was attempting a fast air pass to Adam when he was body checked onto the ground, crushed by Sam's weight as he knocked Adrian down with him.

Not willing to stay down Adrian was quick to get back onto his feet, but so was Sam. As Adrian went to steal the puck from Caden, Adrian felt his back bend in submission to the stick he was beaten with, plummeting to the ground as he bounced off the ice once again.

He could only watch with his head slightly lifted from the ground as Sam passed the puck to Brody. Brody shot the puck in between Callum's legs, allowing Brody's team to win the game at the sound of the final klaxon.

The noise brought dread to Adrian's ears, knowing the game ended with his team losing. He already knew that with the extended time his team would try even harder to win, but they were defeated and it always felt terrible when they lost by a hair strand.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Brody felt all of the adrenaline as he shot the puck over the goal line. Earning the win for his team always felt amazing, like a drug as all of his endorphins made him even more ecstatic when he was on the ice.

Naturally his team reacted by having a celebratory huddle on the ice. Everyone on the Eagles team were happy that they beat their rivals, especially since their last match ended in a defeat.

"Brody get in here!" Sam called out, wanting him to join in on the celebration.

Brody was going to join them and bask in their victory when he realised that Adrian was still down on the ice. It was like Brody naturally gravitated towards Adrian as he went in the opposite direction of his cheering team.

Brody unbuckled the helmet off his head as he was dripping with sweat, he skid by Adrian's side who was also removing his helmet at the same time. Brody stretched his hand out to Adrian, standing over him as he waited for Adrian to accept the gesture.

After being pulled up from the ice, "Thanks. Congrats on the win, shouldn't you be celebrating with your team over there?"

Brody was oblivious of his team waiting for him, casually wiping the sweat off Adrian's forehead for him. "I'd rather celebrate with you."

Adrian responded by laughing at him, "So you want to celebrate with your rival, that you beat him? That's kind of a dick move there, Sinclair."

Knowing that Adrian was joking, Brody laughed it off as he played along. "Of course! What's a better way to assert my team's dominance than rubbing it in their star player's face?"

~~~~~~~~~~

Adrian was planning to have dinner with Brody at the diner, waiting for him outside their team's locker room as he had just finished getting changed.

On his way there, a familiar face came up and approached him. Elliot had both of his hands in his pocket as he nonchalantly strutted towards him. "Adrian, hey!"

Remembering him from the Halloween party, "Elliot isn't it? Hey how are you?"

Elliot feigned hurt, "Don't tell me you've already forgotten me? I remember you."

"It's not like that," Adrian chuckled, "Anyway, what are you doing here?"

"I was watching the game, I've been thinking about joining the team since Stonebrook doesn't have a swim team."

Adrian remembered that Elliot did mention that he was looking to fill up his credentials with other sports since he left his old school. Moving to a school that was known for their sports teams, it made sense.

"That crosscheck on you at the end was a foul by the way, I don't know what the ref was thinking by not calling that guy out. It looked like you had a nasty fall."

Adrian agreed, he should have been given a penalty because that jackass Sam constantly had it in for him, targeting him constantly. "Yeah, my neck feels a little stiff from it actually."

Adrian emphasised this by rubbing the back of his neck.

Elliot reached out to massage the same spot, having his hand replace Adrian's as he attempted to relieve the pain himself.

"Whoa whoa too close," Adrian pointed out as he backed away from Elliot's grip, awkwardly laughing. "I don't even know you, mate."

"Just helping a friend." Elliot laughed, with a cocky demeanour as if he didn't care about overstepping any boundaries. "Let me get to know you then, how's about now?"

"I actually already have plans, Elliot." Adrian told him.

Elliot whispered to him as he leaned towards Adrian. "I'm sure my company will be more fun."

With convenient timing, Brody came round the corner and stood by Adrian's side, having his back face Elliot as he talked to Adrian. "Sorry I'm late, did I make you wait long?"

Adrian shook his head no, which made his neck feel a little tense from the injury. Brody put his hand over the spot and rubbed it gently. Adrian relaxed by the touch as he allowed Brody to continue massaging him.

When the person behind him coughed, Brody turned around and rested his arm around Adrian's shoulder. "Sorry about interrupting back there."

Elliot was smug as he smirked at Brody. "I'm off now, but I'll be seeing you guys around."

With Elliot gone, Brody had one last thought in his head.

'I hope not...'

~~~~~~~~~~

They were leaving through the front exit when Brody reached into his pocket, realising he forgot his phone back in the locker room. Telling Adrian that he was going to get it, Brody quickly rushed away from his side as Adrian stood in the same spot.

When he heard a door open, Adrian thought it was Brody so he went to meet him halfway. However when he approached the source of the sound, he heard hushed whispers coming from Sam and Caden. The whispers became harsher as Adrian got more curious as to what they were talking about. Not being seen by the pair, he listened in.

"As much as I like the money, why am I helping you do your dirty work again?" Caden asked Sam.

Sam laughed hysterically as if Caden was asking him something stupid. "You never hire the same guy twice! The more I hire the same guy, the more they will crack if they get caught. That's why I need you to find a guy instead of my usual one."

Adrian was distracted by his phone notification as he only managed to hear the next bit.

"Just don't leave any traces back to me, otherwise I'll make sure you'll regret it." Sam then placed a stack of cash in Caden's pocket.

"This is too far, no way I'm getting involved in your little love quarrels again."

Sam grabbed Caden by the throat as he became more intense with his teammate. "You listen here! Do NOT underestimate me or what my family can do. I can get you kicked out of the school by snapping my fingers, just do what I say and you'll be safe."

Caden was not one to be intimidated as he forcefully removed Sam's hand from his neck. "Fuck you! We may be on the same side here but this is too far, you're on your own."

"Why is everyone so incompetent?! I'll do it myself then!" Sam yelled in fury.

Caden walked away as Sam punched the wall, busting a hole with his fist. Adrian quickly ducked into a blind spot so that Caden couldn't see him.

Adrian was left unnerved by the interaction, he couldn't be sure who they were talking about and it's not like he could go out there and confess to eavesdropping on them.

Adrian was still left reeling from many possibilities when he got a call from Brody.

Asking him about his whereabouts, "Yeah I'm on my way." He told Brody as Adrian went to join him.

==========