The two of them have only gotten better the longer they’ve been playing together. I love having players like them on our team because they make everyone around them elevate their game, which is something I’m trying really hard to do.
Before they can score, we change out the lines and I’m on the ice.
Everything fades away around me as the only thing that matters is the stick in my hand and the puck on the ice.
Heading into their zone, I’m ready as our winger sendsthe puck to me. Seattle’s defensemen are good as they stop us from setting up our play. Chasing them down, it’s a battle to keep the puck out of the net.
It’s a game of back-and-forth for the first two periods. By the third period, Marcus has managed to score before our first line is pulled to rest as the other lines take the ice. Even though it’s only preseason, these guys are still fighting hard to show they’re an asset to the team.
Seattle pulls their goalie at the end of the game, but to no avail. One of our guys is able to score on the empty net, earning us a 2-0 victory.
“Not a bad start to preseason,” Jasper says, the two of us heading into the tunnel after shaking hands with the other team.
“Felt good to get back out there.”
The two of us are some of the last guys in the locker room as the press is already hanging around, asking questions.
One of my least favorite parts of the job.
“Dax. You looked good out there tonight. How’d it feel to be back on the ice?” a reporter from one of the local networks asks.
“Great. It’s always around this time I start to get antsy and want to get back to doing what I love.”
He smiles back at me. “How was it watching Marcus and Bode out there tonight? They were on fire.”
“They work well together on the ice. It’s going to be a fun season watching them play together.”
“Speaking of watching others play. You’ve been playing in your brother’s shadow for a long time. With him looking to rejoin the league, are you worried about his play affecting yours?”
Only years of media training prevents me from rolling my eyes and wanting to curse this guy out. Except that’snot who I am. Duncan? Yes. Me? I’m the calm, cool, and collected brother.
“I know any team would be lucky to have Duncan play for them.” Seriously, thank God for that training because I don’t know if I would be able to keep a straight face otherwise. “I’m going to continue to play my game the best that I can, and hopefully that will help the Knights win games.”
“Thanks, Dax. Good luck this season.”
“Thanks.”
As the media clears out of the locker room, I hit the showers. I let the warm water sluice over my body. It felt good to get my legs under me as the season starts.
I can’t wait to celebrate later with Chloe.
Oh, shit.
I can’t.
I guess the game was a good distraction because I completely forgot where she’s going tonight. I know she’s with Erica and will be safe with her, but now that gnawing feeling is back.
Like I shouldn’t be letting her go—but she’s an adult and can make her own decisions. I shouldn’t let my worries of her being unsafe or uncomfortable there get in the way of her doing what she wants.
That’s the whole point of that damn list. To do things that Duncan wouldn’t.
Does that make me like Duncan?
It’s not that I’mnotsupporting her, but she didn’t ask me to go with her.
Damn it. I don’t know why I’m so torn up about this. Shutting off the shower, I grab my towel and head back into the locker room.
“You want to grab a drink tonight? The rest of the guys are busy,” Jasper says. He’s buttoning up his shirt before grabbing his jacket.
