I went to bed early on New Year’s and was able to sleep through the neighborhood fireworks thanks to a pair of earplugs. While eating breakfast alone the next morning, I marveled at the fact that it was already a new year.
Time definitely seemed to pass quicker the older you got.
Half the team was already at the arena when I arrived for our early game. We ran through some pre-game drills on the ice, then returned to the locker room to relax before we had to go back out for the player introductions. June was a comforting sight in the trainer’s room, calmly explaining something to our backup goalie.
I nibbled on the food tray while trying not to look like I was watching her. There was always a good spread provided before and after each game: pasta, sandwiches, crackers, chicken and rice. I didn’t play well when I ate a big meal right before a game, but Ididlike to nibble from the dessert end of the table. They always had these amazing chocolate chip cookies, and two or three of them usually gave me enough energy for the first period.
“These taste really good today,” I told Elias, glancing past him to catch another glimpse of the woman I was sleeping with.
I must have been staringtoohard, because Elias followed my gaze, then turned back to me. “She is good. June.”
“Yeah, she’s great, eh?” I said. “Fixed my knee issue right up. Haven’t had any problems since then, knock on wood.”
Elias grabbed a cookie and sniffed it. “Is she married?”
The question made me blink. “I don’t think so.”
“Is she dating anyone?”
Nowtherewas a question I didn’t know how to answer. Up to this point, my relationship with June had remained a secret. Same for Rhett’s relationship with her, in spite of his totally platonic movie date in the arena.
I didn’t like lying to my teammates, but I also didn’t want to open this can of worms right before a big game. “Why are you asking? Are you into her?” I asked with a smile.
Elias had an intense scowl, and he turned it on me now. “A man is only asking questions.” He put the cookie down and walked away.
I shook my head. That’s what I got for trying to make small talk with Elias. He didn’t letanyoneclose.
Coach Jay weaved through the locker room to reach me. “The Dallas Stars just sent us their lineup. Rantanen is out.”
“Great news,” I said, coughing into my fist. Something was tickling my throat.
“This changes our entire strategy with them.” Jay leaned closer and showed me his clipboard. “They’re going to feed the puck to Seguin a lot more, now. That means you need to make sure to cover the center. Don’t let them bait you to the glass, because it’ll leave him open.”
I nodded, coughing another time.
“Cole? You all right?”
It felt like the room was getting warmer, my throat tightening up. It was almost like…
Fuck.
I spun away from the food table and lurched toward my locker. But my throat was already closed tight. It was like trying to breathe through a straw.
Players got out of my way, but I tripped on a skate on the floor. O’Malley was there, pulling me up and asking if I was okay, but I shoved him away and kept moving.
“He’s choking!” someone shouted. “Give him the Heimlich!”
I waved them off and pointed. I needed to get to my locker.
But darkness was already creeping in around the edges of my vision. I wasn’t going to make it.
Rhett was suddenly standing in front of me, asking what was wrong. I made an injection motion with my fist, but he still looked confused.
I didn’t remember falling again, but I was on my knees, gripping a nearby bench while staring straight down. I had never looked closely at the rubber floor of the locker room. It was decorated in black-and-red Reapers logos in a repeating pattern.
In that moment, I realized I was about to die.
Teammates were shouting now, strong hands trying to pat me on the back to dislodge whatever was in my throat. But I wasn’t choking. I was having an allergic reaction. If only there was a way to tell them.
