Christian "Magic" Magdziuk is a minor league hockey player with dreams of heading to the NHL someday, and he'll do whatever it takes to make that dream come true. So he only plays with the Richmond Rebels for one short season before he asks to be traded to the Bedford Blizzard, a farm team for the American Hockey League where he might get a little more notice from scouts.<br><br>His attitude on the ice left him few friends among the Rebels ... that is, until teammate Ronnie took a liking to him. One thing led to another and the two men became lovers during the time Christian played with the team. But when he transferred to the Blizzard, he left the Rebels -- and Ronnie -- behind.<br><br>Now it's the first game of a new season, and he's facing off against his former teammates in the season opener. But does something still smolder between Christian and Ronnie after all this time?

Playing the Field: Faceoff

At the end of the first period,Christian heads into the locker room with the rest of his team.The way the Coliseum is laid out,both locker rooms are on the same side of the rink—they lead off in separate directions off a main hallway,like a T.During games,a thick curtain divides the hallway into halves so the teams can’t interact.As Christian passes by the curtain,it flutters at the bottom,and he can hear laughter from someone on the other side.His hands tighten around the stick in his hands.They’re laughing at him,he just knows it.


In the locker room,a table has been set up with snacks and drinks.Before he can grab anything,though,the coach is in his face.“Magic or not,you have to fucking concentrateout there,”he yells.Christian keeps his gaze down to avoid meeting the man’s eyes.“You’re not the only member of this team,kid,you hear me?The first shot was great but let up on the puck a bit.You can’t hog it the whole game.”


Chapter 6