Set BL

Seth leaned against the rink's edge and saw in the distance a large, tall, dark-skinned guy step onto the ice—number 3, Matt Boyd, Seth's best friend. Seth himself wore number 6 and, as usual, looked too relaxed for practice, with that same cocky confidence that often irritated others.

After greeting them, he stood there, twirling the bead of his piercing on his tongue. Aaron, Cody, and Jeremy were already nearby; Jean was lazily gliding along the side of the boat, and Neil and Andrew stood a little to the side, watching the proceedings.

Seth almost forgot who they were waiting for until Kevin Day, team captain No. 2 and the man who had taken Seth's place, walked onto the rink. He immediately stood out from the crowd: his confident gait, straight back, and a look that made you want to sit up straight.

Kevin was obsessed with hockey and tried to instill it in everyone. The others were reluctant to comply, but Seth, not for the first time, noticed that Kevin picked on him the most.

"You're standing around doing nothing again," Kevin said coldly. "You think a spot on the team is given to you for nothing?"

Seth chuckled.

• Do you think that if you put pressure on me, I’ll start playing better?

• You are wasting your potential.

“You just took the wrong place,” Seth replied sharply.

There was a silence. Matt tensed, Jeremy whistled softly, Neil became wary, and Andrew remained motionless.

Kevin stepped closer, his presence palpably oppressive.

• Then prove otherwise on the ice. Or stop complaining.

Seth clenched his jaw.

• Don't tell me what to do.

He twisted the piercing again, and there was no longer impudence in his gaze, but anger.