Something warm blooms in my chest.
"Okay."Coach's voice cuts through my thoughts. "With Collings out for the next few days, we're moving Pirelli to Center, Reesie will be taking right wing and Cote will stay on left. We're keeping d-pairings the same: Santucci and Darbyshire will start.
Louis catches my eye across the table and mouths"Breathe."It's like he can sense how much I'm struggling under the weight of all this.
I've got you, I'd told Rylan last night. Now I have to prove it by holding everything together here while he handles things with his dad.
I can do this. For him.
Coach drones on about neutral zone coverage, but all I can focus on is the empty chair beside me. Rylan's chair. Where he should be making those tiny precise notes in the margins, directing subtle looks at Louis whenever Coach says somethingparticularly–
My phone vibrates. It's the airline confirming Rylan's check-in.
"Expecting something important?" Austin growls.
I lock my screen."Family stuff."
"Pirelli."Coach's voice cuts through my thoughts."You seeing something interesting in that power play footage?"
Shit. What were we supposed to be watching?
Louis jumps insmoothly,"I have a question about their power play cycling..."
I owe him. Again.
My phone buzzes. Rylan:Made it through security. Thanks for packing my ID in an easy-to-find spot. I might have forgotten it.
A smile tugs at my mouth. Because there's no way in hell Rylan Collings would have forgotten his ID. Not a chance.
"Focus up, boys."Coach clicks to the next slide.
Another text. Rylan: Try not to let Austinoverthink the C stuff tonight.
Even while in crisis mode, he's still the team captain, working to lead us from afar.
"This morning's skate is optional,"Coach continues."But I want everyone's head in the game tonight. Minneapolis isn't going to go down easy just because we're missing our captain. Any questions?"He asks as finishes.
Several guys glance at the empty chair beside me, but no one asks for more details. They trust their captain, and they know if Rylan left on a game day, it must be important.
Trust I still need to earn.
"Alright, boys.Have somefood, and get some rest. Check your schedules for bus times and meals. I'll see you all later."
As everyone files out, Louis catches my arm."Coffee?"
"Can't."My phone buzzes again."I need to—"
"Yeah."His smile is knowing."Tell him we've got this covered."
I nod, my throat tight.
Austin pauses in the doorway, looking between Lou and me with narrowed eyes. But whatever he sees in my face must satisfy him, because he nods once before leaving.
My phone lights up. Rylan:Boarding now.
Three dots appear, disappear, and appear again.
Thanks for having my back.
