Alondra
Can we talk?
Jack
at the rink
u said plenty last night
I feel sick to my stomach, and not because of how many shots I did. We were having fun last night before I saw Bradley. I was being a flirty drunk, but Jack did nothing wrong—I did.
I pull myself from the safety my bed promises to shower. I unfortunately have to stop mid-shower to puke again. I’m moving slowly, but I’m awake, even if I wish I were still sleeping. Then I could pretend I wasn’t a huge bitch to Jack last night.
Pure stubbornness is how I find myself walking into the rink, and finding Jack is easy. I question my sanity for a moment, but it’s crazy what a guilty conscience will make you do. Each step toward the ice feels like a death march, but I get closer to the icethan I have on any of the mornings I’ve snuck into the arena with the intention of skating.
Stopping at the clear paneling, I watch as Jack sends shot after shot into different areas of the net with frightening accuracy. He’s really good. The Carolina Dolphins will be lucky to have him. He looks larger than life out there with the added height from the skates, but he took care of me last night with the utmost gentleness.
Jack doesn’t spot me until he’s fishing the pucks out of the net, and his facial expression becomes guarded. When he’s done collecting them all, he glides to the exit, moving past me without a second glance as he takes off his gloves and sits on the bench next to his things to unlace his skates. I cross my arms over my chest, trying to figure out where to begin.
He sighs, grabbing the bench, looking at the ground. “Al, I heard you loud and clear last night. You don’t want to be friends.”
My guilt already felt like a knife had stabbed me, but the resignation in his normally upbeat demeanor twists it. “I was drunk, but it’s not an excuse. I-I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t just last night,” he says, turning up to look at me, and Jack’s unwavering stare makes me want to hide. It’s like Jack’s looking right through me.
I chew the inside of my cheek and shuffle closer to sit next to him, my nose wrinkling slightly from the smell coming from his gloves. I’m not really in a position to complain about it, though.
“It’s not about you,” I say, being deliberate with every word, but there’s no beating around this bush. “Chad was trying to be an ass last night when he said that I hate hockey players, but he wasn’t wrong. It doesn’t really have anything to do with the players, but more so with my dad’s priorities and where I fit into them.”
I cross my arms over my chest as if it’s enough to protect me here. I feel a longing in my heart to put on my skates and try skating today, but the thought of facing my fear makes my lungs constrict.
“My dad has always put his players over me. It didn’t matter what I did or how hard I tried, they were always more important than me. I’ve spent years trying to make him love me the same way he loves his players. I really am sorry. I’ve been holding it against you because it’s effortless for you to get his time and attention, and that’s not fair.”
“Oh,” Jack says, exhaling a long breath. I turn in his direction, confused by whatOhis supposed to mean.
“Oh?”
He dips his chin in a nod. “Oh,” he repeats.
What is happening?
“Jack?”
He rolls his shoulders, and I watch as Jack’s hand drifts to his chest, his finger running over the length of the necklace. “I’m sorry he makes you feel like we’re more important to him, but for what it’s worth, I think Coach does love you. He might just have a hard time showing it.”
I don’t argue with him because a small part of me is desperate enough to hope Jack’s right.
I push my pride aside, extending my hand. “Friends?”
Jack smiles, the corners of his eyes softening. “I’d prefer a kiss actually,” he teases, and I think my rudeness has been forgiven.
I chuckle, dropping my hand after returning his smile with one of my own.
“Not happening, but nice try.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He shrugs, and I roll my eyes, hoping my face isn’t bright red.
“Guess I can’t. Thank you for taking care of me last night. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d let me walk off on my own.”
