Face-Off

Declan

NEXT DAY

PINNACLE ARENA

The locker room smelled like sweat and rubber and the kind of tension that didn't need a name.

I was lacing up my skates when Landon walked in. Not to his side of the room. To mine. He never focused on this thing but brought his nose into other people's business.

I heard him before I saw him, that particular brand of footsteps that said I own every floor I walk on. I