Free Arctic Thunder by Robert Feagan Page A

bad enough playing against one tank. Now I have to face two at a time.”
    â€œYou better believe it,” Tommy said as he looped his arm around Mike’s neck. “But now the fun begins.” He stared at something over Mike’s shoulder. “They’re in first place, and she’s aaaaall yours!”
    Mike had a sinking feeling as he slowly turned to face the other direction. “Oh … my … God.”
    The other team was warming up, and right in the middle of the group stood Gwen Thrasher, who looked even more intimidating in her gym gear. She wore a black T-shirt with the sleeves cut back, revealing her arms from shoulders to fingertips. The sinews in her arms stood out with every move and twist. Her triceps were exceptionally defined and rippled every time she caught or shot the ball. She wore baggy red knee-length shorts that on many guys would have made their calves appear small. Not in her case. As she ran and jumped, the muscles at the backs of her legs balled up and seemed to explode.
    After running in for a layup, she curled under the net, spied Mike, slowed down, and stopped. Her dark, seething eyes locked on his, and for a second Mike thought he was going to collapse on the cold gym floor. He wasn’t sure if it was from fear or from the overwhelming feeling that his heart was going to detonate in his chest. Her stare seemed to last forever, then with a flip of her shoulder-length hair she turned and sprinted to the back of the line.
    â€œJeez, I’m glad I’m not you,” Tommy whispered.
    â€œMan, I wish I didn’t have to play another game,” Bobby said. “How will I concentrate knowing Gwen will be chewing you up one court over.” With that he clapped Mike on the back and jogged to join his team at the other end of the gym.
    Mike took a deep breath and ambled over to the court with Tommy, Mitchell, Tyler, and the other guys.
    Gwen’s team looked good. They had at least three guys Mike thought were better than most of the boys on their team, including him. And then there was Gwen. She sank everything she tossed during the warm-up and carried herself in a confident and athletic manner. This was going to be a difficult game.
    When the whistle blew, Gwen stayed on the floor.
    â€œOkay, Mike, I’m going to save your butt,” Tommy said with a smirk. “Wait for the second shift. Let’s see how this goes.”
    Tommy strode confidently onto the floor. He won the jump ball to start the game, but they didn’t win much after that. Gwen wasn’t as strong as the boys were, and she wasn’t the best player on the floor, but what she lacked in those departments she more than made up with her hustle and determination. There wasn’t a loose ball or a hard battle that she lost. If it meant diving, she dived. If it meant standing her ground and getting hit, she stood firm. And if it meant clearing a crowd while she had possession of the ball, her elbows were up and she cleared the house. Gwen was the grittiest player Mike had ever seen.
    Tommy came to the bench, gulping for air; the team was already down eight points. “Man, is she on it today. Something tells me it’s got something to do with you being on our team. She’s going to kill me if she keeps this up.”
    Mike nodded but didn’t speak as he headed onto the floor. The other team was tough and played a very physical style under the net. Playing with Mitchell and Tyler this game, Mike and his teammates worked the ball around the perimeter. Mitchell and Tyler had terrific mid-distance shots, and Mike was a great playmaker. They moved the ball around the outside until they had clear shots, then hustled back and shut the other team down on defence. By the time their shift ended, the game was tied. Tommy nodded his approval and slapped Mike’s hand as he headed back onto the floor.
    The game continued to be a hard-fought contest. Tommy made some