Teddy:I DON’T WANT ANYONE ELSE!
Teddy:FUCK
Ellie:don’t yell at me
Teddy:Look I really am sorry okay. Again…I overreacted and I shouldn’t have. I promise there is NOBODY in the WORLD I would rather be with than you. I just…I have a ton of shit going on right now and I got frustrated.
Ellie:You’re not the only one with shit going on right now
Teddy:You’re right…I’m sorry. I know you haven’t been feeling well. I still wish I could make you feel better
Ellie:Same
Ellie:I’m going to bed
Teddy:Good night, baby…
Teddy:Good morning beautiful! How did you sleep last night?
Teddy:Are you feeling better today?
Teddy:Your brothers just told me you’re not coming to this game either
Teddy:Baby are you okay?
Teddy:I’m so sorry Please text me back…
Teddy:We are about to go out on the ice…If you see this, wish me luck…
Ellie:Sorry about the loss
Teddy:??
Chapter 26
“Try to getat least eight hours tonight, Teddy. I know we all wanted to end this series last week, but if we can get everyone rested up and finish this thing in five games, we should have a few extra days off. I can tell you need the sleep. You aren’t as sharp as you usually are. We need you sharp.”
Jace, my goalie coach, is a no-bullshit kinda guy, and I love that about him, but it still stings to hear I’m off my game. He’s right, though. I’m not resting well. I wasn’t before, not with all the playoffs and the Bratva bullshit, but I’m definitely not now that Ellie and I had our first big fight.
She was right, and I was an asshole to her. I’ve apologized via text and asked to see her in person, but she’s had an excuse for every day I’ve suggested, saying she just needed some space and that her volunteer schedule was packed. And it is. Not that I’ve stalked her or anything, but a lot of her activities have been in support of the league’s playoff initiatives like outreach for schoolchildren and even more hospital visits to see sick kids. She’s been to a ton of them, always with a smile, even if the bags under her eyes are a little more pronounced.
When I went by her house with flowers and her favorite wine, her nonna gave me a harsh glare before telling me that Ellie wasn’t feeling well. She softened a bit when I asked if she’d call me if there was anything I could do for her, and sent me home with a basket of food and advice to “give it time, but be persistent.”
If my heart were any heavier these days, I don’t think I’d be able to skate. As it is, I resolve to go home, shower, and take enough melatonin to tranquilize a horse. The promise of a couple of extra off days is intoxicating, and if sleeping twelve hours before the game tomorrow is what I need to do to play my best, I’ll fucking do it.
Before I can leave the ice, the door to the lockers clinks, and a figure in full gear skates onto the ice. Usually, the goalies are the only ones who use this practice rink so late in the day, so I’m curious as to who this is when they drop an entire bag of pucks onto the ice. They seem as lost in their thoughts as I am, not noticing me until I call out, startling them into falling on their ass on the ice.
“Jesus!”
Skating over to the interloper, I realize it’s not a stranger at all.
“Leo?”
He pops up from the ice, looking slightly ashamed at falling like a kid just learning how to skate. “Hey, Teddy. You scared the shit out of me. I was so distracted that I didn’t even see you out here. It’s usually empty by this time of the day.”
“Yeah, I was getting some extra time in with Jace. Do you come out here after we finish practice often?”
“Mainly when I want to clear my head, honestly. The rink at school gets used by a lot of the younger figure skating clubs in the evenings, so it’s hard to find quiet time to just put pucks in thenet or work on new mechanics.”
