“Hey,” her sweet voice is quiet. “How are you?”
Blowing out a breath, I ponder that question. I wish I knew how I was. I have to wait all weekend to find out. “I’m not sure. I think I may be losing my job, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.”
She opens her arms, and I stroll straight into them like I’ve been holding my breath for hours. Her hands find my back, warm even through my Granite Ice hoodie, and for a moment I close my eyes and pretend she’s the only thing that exists.
“Why would you even think you’d lose your job?”
“Bill is looking for someone to blame,” I mumble into her shoulder because I’m not ready to pull away from her yet. “I’m the new guy. Plus, there are way better players than me out there. He could easily grab a new recruit to do what I do.”
She pulls back enough to look me in the eyes. “Okay. So … what happens if that happens?”
I hate that she says it like it’s real. I hate how scared I am, but I also appreciate that she is here and willing to talk this through with me.
“I don’t know if another team would even want me. I only barely got on this team because of my—” I stop myself before I sayaccident. She knows how I met Bill Baker as she was there.The circumstances of how I ended up on the team is the one thing that’s loomed over me this whole time. Like I give 1000% every day just to prove I’m worth my spot. So what if I met him in an unusual way? No one can say I don’t work hard.
Her soft hand slides up the side of my face. “Well, in my opinion, they’re lucky to have you. If Bill forgets what you’ve done for this team, that means there’s a better team out there for you.”
I shake my head, the lump in my throat rising fast. “Yeah, but what about you? Your job is here. Your family is here. Granite Ice is really my only chance to play locally. Any other team would require me to relocate.”
“We will figure it out together.” Her smile is so genuine it hurts. “That’s what we do, right?”
“For now, and for always.” I wrap my arms around her, squeezing her into the biggest bear hug, and drop a playful kiss on her forehead, trying to lighten the mood. I don’t deserve her. Especially not when my whole life’s a pile of maybes.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. My eyes flash toward the heavens in a silent prayer. Since I already got lectures from Bill and Coach, there’s only one other person it could be.
Dad: If you want this career, you need to work harder. More focus. Less distraction.
I close my eyes. My stomach twists like I’ve been punched. By “less distraction,” he means less time with Koren. That’s never going to happen. I don’t know why he always has to say the thing that makes me feel like the world’s biggest disappointment. It’s an honor to even be on this team. You’d think he’d be proud. I inhale deeply, but my throat stays tight, as if choking on everything I haven’t said to him since I was nine. That’s a long time to bite your tongue.
“Hey, what was that all about?” Koren asks, brushing her hand against my cheek again.
I hand her the phone. Her eyes bounce around the screen, and then she slides it into my hoodie pocket.
“First of all, your dad’s wrong. You have never been more focused. Second, whatever distraction he means is other people's noise. Let’s put that phone away for the rest of the night.” She pats my pocket as if sealing it shut, then leans in closer, tipping her face up to stare into my eyes. “Don’t listen to him. Whatever happens, you’re enough. With or without the team. And whatever happens next, I’m in it with you. We are doing this together.”
The knot in my chest unravels quickly, and I sit on the hood of my car before my legs give out. Unfazed, she slides in front of me, hands on my legs, grounding me. Flashbacks of everything I’ve overcome fly before my eyes. I could seriously be washing dishes at Red Barn next week. I’m a mess, but Koren doesn’t seem the least bit disappointed. I swallow hard, blinking fast. “I don’t deserve you.” My voice is raspy from my throat being so tight.
Chuckling, she brushes warm fingertips along my jaw. “Well, I can give you a few good reasons why you do. For starters, you’re a really good kisser.”
“No,” I say, pulling her closer, heat rising in my chest. “That’s all you.”
She leans in and kisses me slowly, like time is on our side for once. Like this is just the start of the longest, most beautiful love story, and nothing will tear us apart again.
Until my phone cuts us off, buzzing relentlessly into my pocket. “Ignore that,” I say, staying in our kiss.
“You better grab it.” She pulls back. “What if it’s—”
“Coach,” I cut her off, already retrieving my phone. “It’s him.” I answer with my heart hammering, “Hello.”
“Elijah.” Carlson’s voice is sharp. “I know everyone’s stressed, but I want to update you personally. I’ve spoken to Bill. There’s alot going on. Hopefully, the press doesn’t catch wind, but I want you to hear this from me first. I fought to keep you on the roster.”
My jaw drops. That sort of sounds good, but it almost seems like his next statement is going to start with abut. “And? Did it work?”
“You’re back on the first line. But you’ve got to show me that you want it. Hard work. No distractions.”
“You’ve got it.” My voice sounds weak, as I use all the breath left in my chest. Koren grabs my hand, squeezing it.
“Here’s the thing,” Coach hesitates. “About the new girl. I know you’ve been warned, but please be cool. The media’s watching. Bill is looking for an excuse.”
