My mouth goes dry, and it hurts to swallow. I can’t tell them, even with Luke gone. I can’t admit anything that happened because I still need to keep Coach Maver from taking any action against him.
Go quietly, she told him.
He can’t do that if the entire team finds out we were together and the secret spreads like wildfire.
“How would she know what happened?” Grace cuts in. “She’s been sequestered away, recovering fromyourhit, since it happened on Friday.”
Aubrey narrows her eyes on Grace, but my best friend is unwavering.
“Plus, we have a title to win today. Are you really focused on a coach quitting over trying to get ready to play instead?”
“She’s right,” Austen murmurs. “We gotta get our heads in it. I don’t want a repeat of last year where we watch someone else’s colored confetti fall.”
Charlotte nods in agreement, and I see other teammates doing the same thing.
“You’re our captain,” I tell Aubrey. “We’re trusting you to lead us today. Tofocusus today.”Don’t push this, I say with my eyes.
Her jaw clicks, but finally she takes a step back and dips her head curtly. “Austen’s right. I don’t want a repeat of last year either. None of us do.”
An ascension of agreements ring out around the room, and while I know there will be more questions to come about me and Coach Holloway, it’s almost like a temporary truce is formed for our ultimate goal today. I heave a quiet sigh of relief as everyone gets back into their own routines and I’m allowed to start mine.
But then Grace leans over and steals my attention. “When this game is done and we’re back home,” she says, “you have a loooot of explaining to do.”
I nudge her shoulder gratefully. “I’ll get a few bottles of wine.”
“Perfect.” She smiles, and while I know I’m not off the hook for keeping this from her for months, I know we’ll be okay. “Now, we got a game to fucking win, and I’m hoping to ride the bench the entire way. So your ass better be ready.”
“It’s ready,” I chuckle as I get dressed for warm-ups. Just as it’s about time to head, I grab the mask I safely tucked in my bag this morning. I almost don’t even want to wear it because it’s so beautiful, so special, but I can’t resist.
I want this piece of him with me today.
When I pull it out of my bag and place it on my head, not fully down to cover my face just yet, Grace’s eyes widen as she notices.
“Is that new?”
“Yeah.” She motions for me to spin and I do, letting her take in the art on every side.
“That’s incredible,” she muses. Her fingers lightly brush over the fur of the husky. “When did you get it?”
“This morning. It was a gift.”
Grace pulls her hand back and gives me a drawl look. “Alright, you owe me a lot more than just a few bottles of wine.”
I pull the mask over my face before grabbing my stick. “If we win today, I’ll buy us whatever the hell we want.”
We walk down the tunnel side by side, and I ignore the pang Luke’s absence sends through my gut as I pass by Coach Maver and Packley.
Coach Maver gives me a curt nod and pats my shoulder. “Is your head in this?”
I know she’s not just talking about coming off of the hit.
“I promise it is.”
She purses her lips, but there’s a slight softening behind her eyes. I hate that she’s keeping Luke away from today and the slight resentment I feel toward her for it, but at the same time, I hate that I disappointed her. She’s ridden hard for me my entire hockey career at Haulton, and I don’t like this feeling between us.
“Later,” she cuts in. “We’ll talk later. Just focus on the game in front of you. Don’t panic. Trust in your team, and trust in yourself.”
I nod and roll out my shoulders, letting her familiar words of encouragement coat me like a set of armor.
