My best friend and roommate. Traded to the Knights because of his less-than-stellar play this season after his injury.
Having to go play with the guy that took you out? I can’t imagine that’s going to be easy for him.
“Where are you going?” the team assistant asks as I straighten my tie.
“To watch the rest of the game.”
He shakes his head. “Oh no, you don’t. The only place you’re going is to the family suite because we don’t want anyone seeing you. You’re not to speak to any press tonight, do you understand?”
“Why?”
“Did you take a puck to the head, or did you forget you just got kicked out of the game? There is no way you are in the right headspace to talk to the media,” he tells me.
Fuck.
This night has only made things worse. Instead of keeping my eyes on the prize and focusing on the game, I let the words of one player get under my skin.
If I can’t keep my shit together, it’s only going to keep this in the press longer.
“You need to calm down, and Coach will come get you when he is ready to talk to you.”
Fan-fucking-tastic.
If I’m not benched through the end of the season, it’ll be a miracle. Stalking out of the locker room, I head to the friends and family room.
The walls are a light beige with pictures from the team covering the wall. There is a small space for kids to play with various toys. It’s something I’ve never really paid attention to, having that small area for kids.
Will I get that one day? Will I get it with Bex, or will everything good the two of us have go up in smoke because of the outside pressure?
The game plays on the TVs attached to one wall as I collapse onto one of the couches, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose to stave off the impending headache.
At least the sound is off so I don’t have to hear anything they’re saying about me. I check the score from time to time, and while Reeves, our backup, is holding his own, we’re not putting any points on the board.
If we hadn’t already clinched our playoff spot, I’d feel even worse about getting kicked out. Not that it’s an excuse, but I let my team down in the worst possible way.
Who knew being in love could be this hard?
“There you are.”
I pop my head up at the familiar voice. “Ang. What are you doing down here?”
She kicks my legs off the couch and drops down next to me. “Family, duh. I have a pass to be here.”
I roll my eyes and lay my head back on the couch. “Just what I wanted—my big sister to come and give me shit.”
“Nah, no shit from me.” Angie wraps her arm around my shoulders and pulls me into her side, keeping me there. “I can only imagine what that guy said to make you go after him.”
“I can’t even repeat it, it was so bad.”
“You know you can’t let them get under your skin. Bex wouldn’t want it.”
“I know.”
“Good. Now, once you’re back from however long you’re benched?—”
“Hey, we don’t know that yet,” I cut her off.
Angie laughs, patting my arm. “If you don’t think Coach Barney is going to bench you for at least ten games, you’re out of your mind.”
