Hunter

I don't like letting go of Galen.

I know it's stupid. He is almost 19 years old and on the verge of being a man. He is not a baby, he is not timid, and he is far from weak, and yet...

It's natural for Jax to want to introduce him to the guys he'll be training with, and that is what we're here for, after all. Galen needs to meet people. I reluctantly give Jax a thumbs up when he gives me a questioning look to see if I'm okay.

I'm not going to get in the middle of that particular set of introductions. Galen needs some male bonding and having me cling to his arm will just be weird. Still, there is just something about the guy that makes me feel protective.

It's nuts!

Looking at him from across the room, where I'm standing at the snack table, stuffing my face with mini quiches, he seems so confident and cocky. He exudes the kind of manliness that makes me feel weak in the knees. There's nothing vulnerable about him... on the surface...

Whenever I look into his eyes, I see something else, though. Something I cannot quite put my finger on, but it makes me want to wrap my arms around him and never let go. Earlier, I searched the internet for possible answers to why I could feel so connected to a guy I'd just met.

There were a few varying answers, from possible digestive abnormalities to soulmates. My favourite was the one where we were both abducted by aliens and were subjected to experiments together, and though we don't remember it, our souls do... something like that.

It seemed the most plausible. I'm sticking with it.

The lighting is bad in here, just dusky enough for guys like Denny and girls like the one in his lap to hide in the corners playing doctor. I sigh, looking at him. That was fast. He might've broken his own record tonight.

I wish he would value himself more. I wish he would allow himself to love a really great girl and be truly loved in return. Denny is an awesome guy, but he makes the worst, self-destructive choices all the time.

Still, I love him, and he has been doing a lot better since he came to live with us. He trains really hard and is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. His ship is turning around. It is slow going, but we'll persevere. I believe, with all my heart, that he will one day be the strong, successful man he is meant to be.

"Hey! I'm glad to see you." The gentle voice speaking close to me and the arms wrapping around one of mine belong to my best friend in the whole world, Miko Saunders. She's the daughter of a dainty Japanese woman and a burly blond lumberjack. We grew up together, and if there's one person in this world that I trust beyond all others, even Bren, then it's the dark-haired, brown-eyed beauty resting her head on my shoulder.

"Miko?!" I'm surprised to see her here; she doesn't enjoy the company of the ice hockey players remotely as much as I do. Fine, that's an understatement. Miko avoids them as much as she can. I don't blame her for feeling wary of them; she is rather delicate in comparison with most of them, and they never hide their interest in her.

On the other hand, I also do not blame the guys for taking notice of her. She is beautiful, and her introverted nature gives her a certain air of mystery that intrigues them.

"I couldn't let you come here alone," she smiles when I stop hugging her. I messaged her earlier to tell her we're bringing our new housemate to the mixer, and Jax coerced me into coming out. "I've got your back. Besides, you're acting weird," she adds with a grimace.

"How am I acting weird?" She hadn't seen me since Friday morning when we were practising together on the figure skating rink. I definitely wasn't acting anything except normal on Friday. I've only been a strange giggle girl since last night when I met Galen.

"Emojis," she laughs. "You never send a gazillion emojis in your text messages."

"You came!" Ginny Thornleigh has appeared from somewhere, grabbing the arm not currently occupied by Miko. "You look so cute!" she exclaims, stepping back to give me a once-over, curling one of my ponytails around her hand and letting it go.

"Thanks. So do you." She always does, even when she's not trying to, especially when she's laughing, turning her eyes into half-moons.

"So, which one is your guy?" she wants to know enthusiastically, making my hackles rise. Ginny likes hockey players as much as Miko avoids them. She is not a typical puck bunny. She mostly just admires them from afar, but she has had her share of heartbreak due to falling for the wrong guys.

I look into her sparkling hazel eyes and brilliant smile and realise that I don't want her anywhere near Galen. It's not because she will be bad for him. Not at all. Where Miko is steeped in mystery, Ginny is saturated with energy and cheerfulness. She's a great person, and he definitely would enjoy hanging out with her. I just don't like the idea at all.

"You'll recognise him as the guy with the huge sign hanging from his neck," I tell her, motioning over my chest to make my meaning clear. "It says Off Limits."

I'm as surprised by my words as Miko is, gaping at me, and there I go, giggling again. Seriously! What is up with that? I permanently feel like I'm being tickled in my ribs!

"Are you staking a claim?! That's a first!" Ginny gasps, blinking at me like I'm a stranger.

"No, I'm just..." Just what? Golly, I don't know.

"What are you three gossiping about so happily?"

We turn in unison to see Libra Carmichael standing by the table. She picks up a cherry tomato and pops it between her lips as if she's eating the most exquisite of delicacies. I frown at her soft blond hair flowing over her shoulders, her pouty lips and lucid green eyes, and I'm finally not giggling any more.

Threats! That's what they are! Big, pretty threats!

I hate this!

Normally, I'm the girl who hands out welcome stickers and affectionate hugs; I'm never the girl who looks at all her closest friends with eyes clouded by jealousy. I know from experience - I've seen it a gazillion times – that Galen will spend five minutes in Libra's company, and then he'll have a crush bigger than the smile he is currently directing at... Xavier?

Why is he smiling at Xavier?!

My heart reflexively jumps in my breast when I see the dark-haired boy, but I'm not feeling the melancholic disappointment that has become normal whenever I see him. It's just a small wobble, a tiny blip in space and time. My attention slides from his miserable expression to devour the warm highlights sparkling in Galen's auburn hair.

"Hunter staked a claim on the new guy living with them," I hear Ginny say, plucking me out of the fantasy where I was running my fingers through that thick, wavy hair.

"Really? You?" Libra is frowning, looking at me like I'm an alien, and I don't blame her. I never do things like that. The fact that she is going to have the man of my dreams wrapped around her little finger is not her fault. She doesn't go out of her way to seduce boys or anything like that.

Libra is just one of those spontaneous, sparkling girls boys are drawn to. She is just pretty enough, cheeky enough and mysterious enough to keep them intrigued, but unlike Miko, she loves the attention.

She might even break Galen's heart! Noooooooooooo!

"I'm not staking a claim," I scoff, nervously giggling again, and reach out to grab something edible from the table to help me out with my embarrassing problem. Great, it's a small tea candle, and it is lit. I swear I will still stuff it in my mouth if I giggle again.

"He's not a piece of real estate; he's a human being," I grumble, keeping the candle ready just in case.

"Still, it's hands-off, right?" Ginny asks, narrowing her eyes on my face. She is cheekily grinning at me, enjoying my discomfort.

"I... uhm... no..." This is all new to me, and I'm handling it beautifully eloquently. I'm so proud of myself. "He is his own person."

"So noble," Libra laughs, tugging on one of my ponytails. "Well, are you at least going to introduce us to him so we can know whom to avoid getting involved with, or should we go grab a sturdy box and some polystyrene packaging pellets instead?"

"Oh, shush!" I laugh, putting the candle back on the table before I set something on fire by accident. I look around, searching the crowd for Galen so I can introduce him to people other than his future training mates. People like my three former friends laughing at me. I've lost track of him now.

"I don't see him," I inform them, walking towards where I'd seen him last, with the girls trailing me, making me feel like royalty with an entourage of ladies in waiting. Technically, the four of us are each other's greatest competition when it comes to the figure skating academy, but after many years of training together, we're a united front against outside competition.

Besides, Ginny is taking a different route now, focussing solely on synchronised skating with seven other team members. She told me that she's no longer interested in taking part in women's singles.

"Can I have all the new recruits on the stage, please?" Coach Harvey Manson, the senior coach at the academy, saves me from having to sacrifice my heart on the altar of being a good host to Galen by making the announcement from the low podium where the sound system is set up.

Shrugging and smiling way too widely for a girl who is only postponing the inevitable, I redirect my posse to an area where we can see the low wooden platform clearly. Two boys are already taking their places there, standing tall, broad-shouldered and filled with confidence.

"Oh, Number One is hot," Ginny observes, and Libra grunts, shaking her head.

Number One, as he will be called until further notice, has two-toned blond-brown hair cut into a longish mullet-like style popular among many of the boys here at the farm.

"Nice lettuce," I observe, laughing when Miko rolls her eyes. She hates hockey lingo. She's often heard saying things like: 'Flow, lettuce... what happened to just calling it hair?'

He is square-jawed and handsome in the self-assured Prince Charming way of someone who is used to being praised. I don't think I've ever seen him play, nor the guy next to him with curly blond hair and a fierce expression on his face. I'm always curious about new recruits I've never seen in action before. I might not like the violence, but I do rather love watching the game itself especially if I know the players.

"Hot air," Libra says decisively. "I spoke to Number One earlier, and believe me, if I were in a basket tied to him while he talked, I would've become airborne."

"I've always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon," Ginny mutters, sounding a bit sulky now.

"Is one of them your guy?" Miko asks, and I shake my head, looking around me to see if anybody heard that rather possessive statement made on my behalf.

"He's not my guy..."

"I meant the one living in your house," Miko chuckles, making me roll my eyes. She's right; Ginny referred to him in the same way earlier, before my affliction became known.

"Clearly, it's not one of those two," Libra observes when Galen steps into view, and I start giggling again, trying to suppress it and ending up coughing instead. "It's definitely that one," she laughs, and the other two give me amused looks, clearly enjoying my fall into pre-teen-crushing embarrassment.

"I... uhm... oh..." Yup, I'm extremely smooth today.

Interested in seeing who has me acting completely out of character, the three girls turn their attention to the platform where Galen is standing, looking like he accidentally stepped into the limelight and cannot be bothered by the attention. He seems so defiant and cocky that I cannot stop another happy giggle from bubbling up inside me.

Seriously! I'm going to muzzle myself!

"Wow!" Ginny says, turning her head slowly, tilting it almost upside down to give me a rather bird-like side look. "I get it now! Better beat those stakes in deep, Hunter."

"If you don't, I'm getting the packaging material for myself," Libra agrees, laughing when I glare at her. "Please tell me he has a personality in there too... or don't because then we might have to become enemies."

"He's a person," I sigh, half trying to remind them (and myself) of the fact and half to confirm that he definitely has a personality. A personality I really like so far.

A blur of colour unexpectedly flies onto the dais from the side, sliding on socked feet, losing its direction and crashing into Galen. He automatically reaches out to steady the newcomer, and there is that smile I've come to look for wherever I go. I'm not the only one sighing now, seeing that beautiful smile.

"I'm afraid it's all over for you, Hunter," Libra says dramatically while Miko hugs my arm again, not saying a word.

"Isn't Mick Wallace the cutest thing you've ever seen?" Ginny asks, smiling dreamily while she gazes at the boy wearing pyjama pants and a car-covered Oodie. She's been an avid fan of his since the first game she saw him playing. Whenever he has a match on TV or Dad, and I travel to see games that will have him in them, she tags along. My father is always scouting for boys like Galen, Jax and Denny who would not easily be discovered and need a hand up. Sometimes, I go with him to keep him company.

I met Mick a few times, and he is probably the most quirky yet easy-going person I've ever come across. He has a bit of a potty mouth, though, and tends to use the F-bomb as a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, determiner, pronoun and conjunction. In fact, he could probably have an entire conversation without any other words in it. Still, I really like him, and now that he's joining the Farm, perhaps Ginny's dreams can finally come true.

Her biggest dream is actually speaking to him. She turns into a giggling mess every time she's in his presence. A bit like I do with Galen, just without saying things. I at least say some stuff to the boy, which makes my chances of scaring him off a lot bigger.

"He sure is," Libra says, but she seems to be looking at Galen. I'm so going to fetch that box she was talking about... so I can stuff her in it.

"Hey! Hands-off, sister," Ginny grumbles and laughing, Libra wraps an arm around her neck.

"I don't want to drag tonight's event out more than we have to since tomorrow is Monday," Coach Manson says, making me very happy. I want the speeches and stuff to be over quickly. Galen looks chilled and nonchalant standing on the stage, but there is a subtle muscle jumping in his jaw. I've seen it before when he was grilled by the guys about his training. He is not enjoying this attention as much as it seems.

In the short time I've known him, I've noticed that he tends to withdraw in crowds. It could be just because he is still jetlagged, but there is something a bit distant in the way he acts in general. My heart is contracting in empathy, seeing his chin lift and his head turn to give Coach Manson a startled look when he says that he's going to hand the mic to them for introductions.

The look was there and gone in an instant, but I saw it.

Given the mic, Number One introduces himself as Miles Everton, and listening to him pounding through a list of high school hockey achievements, I think he would like our original name for him much more.

I get it, though. Being the new guy here at the Farm is daunting, especially when the guys don't know anybody and come with the understanding that everything is a competition. It's not a bad mindset to have, as competition can become brutal here, especially for newcomers.

Many of our guys, like Galen, haven't had any formal training or opportunities and, therefore, don't have achievements to list. Listening to speeches like Miles' is harrowing for them. I cannot look away from Galen, wondering how he is feeling. He is not giving anything away. He is a really hard person to read when he wants to hide.

"When my guy... when Galen says hi, let's say hi back, okay?" I ask the girls, and they're in, just as I knew they would be. They're good sports like that, and maybe if we greet him, he'll feel more at home and less like an outsider.

"Hi," says Number Two, and I'm hoping that he will not follow Miles' example and shower himself with praise. Though handsome, he doesn't have the same polished good looks as Miles; he is a bit more rugged and unshaven, with blond hair curling in the nape of his neck. Something about him seems slightly angry and defensive. It's vague, but it shines through, making me wonder if he is feeling less confident than he looks.

"I'm Zane Matthews."

I'm disappointed that Zane feels intimidated enough by Miles' illustriously boring list of achievements to string one of his own together. He is at least not going into as much tedious detail as Miles did.

I don't mean to minimize their accomplishments. They are definitely impressive, and I cannot wait to see them play. It's just that though the things they'd done in the past certainly helped to secure them a spot here when they applied for it, once here, it becomes of little consequence. I've seen boys with outstanding pasts crumble under the pressure to perform here while others who barely made it in outshine them in brilliance.

The Farm is an equalizer.

Trained newcomers have an advantage at first, but it quickly loses its strength as other players who might not have had the same training and opportunities start to develop and come into their own. It soon becomes visible who is good because they had great training and who has raw talent for their training here to build on. It also soon becomes apparent who is willing to work hard towards their goal and who is not.

I see Mick whisper something to Galen and Gan is suddenly turning red, trying not to laugh. He is so cute! I'm glad he seems to hit it off with Mick. He is going to need all the allies he can get.

My heart beats faster when Zane ends his tale of fortitude and winning teams and hands the mic to Galen.

"Howya," Gan says in that voice that makes my legs turn into limp spaghetti covered in warm sauce each time I hear it.

"Howya, Galen!" We couldn't have done it more synchronised if we'd practised. Our chorused greeting sends a ripple of laughter through the crowd that was becoming increasingly restless, ready for the formalities to be over and the party to go on.

Galen is squinting, looking in our direction, but I don't think he can see us outside the circle of bright light shining onto the dais where he's standing. He looks so cutely startled that I... yup... giggle again.

"Seriously! Please stuff a sock in my mouth," I mutter, receiving a side hug from Miko in response.

"It's actually kinda nice to see you like this," she says. "Scary, but nice. I hope he is worth it."

"I'm Galen McKenna from Briar Cove," Galen picks up his speech again, and I hear Libra groan, slapping a hand over her mouth and giving me a guilty look. I don't blame her. Galen oozes effortless charm. I'm feeling a little dizzy now, and it's not just because I'm nervous for him.

"It's a place most of ye've probably never heard of, and that's just fine because I'm here in Thermbarrow now."

Jax, Kame and Denny must've had the same idea I had because they break into cheers, along with a few of the guys they introduced Galen to earlier.

I love it.

"I'm leaving the past behind me as I look to the future. I'm fierce grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to training with all of ye and learning everything that I can stuff into me noodle."

"Pervert!" Denny shouts, causing some laughter.

I am stunned by Galen's introduction, and looking around me, I can see smiles on the faces of many of the people who heard that bold declaration. ′I'm leaving the past behind me as I look to the future.′

Good for you, Galen!

Some of the people gathered here might think he's humble and feel a bit intimidated by what he said, wondering just how great his achievements are. In contrast, others will recognise themselves and their own humble beginnings in that speech. A large number of the players in this room have pasts they want to forget.

It was perfect. He endeared himself to many of the hearts gathered here.

"It's going to be deadly," he adds, ending his introduction and confusing his audience. My heart is so full right now I could pass out. It might also be because I'm fiercely holding my breath.

Please don't giggle, please don't giggle!

"Not the murdering kind... just the... good kind... that's... uhm... good... Oh, bollox!"

"He is so friggin' cute," Ginny giggles for me.

"And hot!" Libra agrees, laughing too.

"Don't go stuffing deadly stuff in the noodles, you savage!" Jax's voice rings out, and I can finally let go of the giggle fighting in my airways as everybody around me is laughing, cheering and clapping. Even Zane is laughing, clapping his hands, while Miles looks a little disapproving.

That was the best speech ever!

"So, Galen Mc Kenna of Briar Cove," I hear a voice I really wished I wouldn't hear tonight, and I can feel Libra tense beside me, resting a hand on my arm. Looking away from Galen to where the voice came from, I see dark blond hair sparkling where the light aimed at the podium touches Wade Carmichael, and my stomach plunges to my feet.

"Are you sure you have nothing to add?" he asks, smirking. His one eyebrow arches above his brown eye in an arrogant gesture I know all too well. I swear I can feel his malice all the way over here.

"Bloody Wade," I grumble. "Sorry, Libra," I hurry to add, but she squeezes my arm. "Does he know that Gan didn't have any formal training?"

"Don't be sorry," she huffs. "My father must really see Galen as a huge threat for Wade to do something like this."

"Your father?"

"You know Wade hasn't had an original thought in his head since birth. This is all my father. If he's going after Galen from the start like this, it means that he tried to block his acceptance, which means that he's afraid. Just how good is that guy?"

I'm not surprised to hear the bitter edge to Libra's voice. Her mother is a Snowglen Lumber Corp heiress, and her father is one of the main shareholders in the Crystalcrest Ice Hockey Academy. Their divorce a few years ago was not amicable. Wade lives with his father in Snowglen and is one of the ice hockey academy's top students, while Libra lives with her mother in Shivermore. The animosity between the parents has spread to the siblings, each choosing a parent's side.

If Wade Carmichael Senior tried to block Galen's acceptance and he still managed to get in, it's a really big deal. The Carmichaels usually get what they want. Libra is right; for Wade to go after Galen publicly like this, he must be motivated by his father. I nervously clutch her hand, still holding onto my arm, while I furiously try to think of a way to get Galen out of this awkward encounter.

"Well, I really wanted to sing," I hear him say, and I snap my head up to see him smirk at Wade as if he is an annoying bug buzzing in his face. "But I forgot me guitar."

That reply was clearly off-script and unexpected, and I can see Wade clenching his teeth, grinning like a skull at the people around him, laughing at Galen's flippant reply. It was a good response to shut Wade up... for now... but it was also the kind of response that he might pay for later.

"He sure has balls," Ginny laughs, impressed, while my stomach boils with dread and pride. The strong urge to protect the boy once again leaves me breathless. I hurry to the podium before the applause in answer to Mick's abrupt departure is even over.

~~~