The ref glares at me.“When you decide to become a referee, I’ll take your opinion under advisement.Until then, just play hockey and leave the calls to me, Richard.”
“But I don’t give a fuck what he says.Don’t make this a big deal.”
“You want a penalty too?”he counters.
I clench my jaw and force myself to skate away.
Callan skates to me with my stick, and I grab it from him.“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t fight all of a sudden?”
“No.”
“But you were so fucking good at it.I used to love watching you chirp guys and drop gloves,” Callan says as we skate toward the bench.
“Sorry,” I mumble and climb the boards.
We win 4-1, and the mood in the locker room is upbeat.The press comes in, and I listen as I cool down and unlace my skates.They’re only allowed to talk to signed players—Coach’s rule for his team, which the media hates.So Callan and I are left in peace, but I overhear someone asking Grady about the almost-fight.
“I was way over on the other side, guys.I’m not sure what happened, but clearly Darcy had his jock in a knot,” he says with an easy smile and a shrug.“Kudos to Richard for keeping his cool.”
“I’m surprised you don’t want to fight Richard after what he did to you last season.”
And there it is.I freeze and force myself to keep my head down, not acknowledging that I heard it.The reporter wants a reaction, and Grady gives him one.“Well, that’s a stupid thing to say.Why would I want to punch my cousin who was saying how much he admired me and how happy he was that I was happy?Which I am still, by the way.Super happy.I just won a hockey game with two of my cousins and my partner.Great day.”
There’s a murmur amongst the small gaggle of reporters because no one was expecting that response.I steal a glance, and Grady is looking at them with defiance in his expression, like he’s daring them to ask a follow-up question.No one does.They move on to Conner.
“Richard!”Coach Larue calls out.I look up, and he tips his head, indicating I need to follow him.I slip my bare feet into slides and make my way to the door.
I pause and look around the room.The press is being rounded up to be escorted out by Kendra, who is part of the PR staff, and the guys are complaining about Grady’s choice of music again, which is Taylor Swift.If Coach is pulling me aside to let me go, this may be the last time I experience this, so I burn it into my brain and then walk down the hall.Coach is a few feet ahead and turns into his office.I follow and start to close the door.
“No need,” he says, and our eyes meet.I can’t breathe until I see his face break into a smile.“You wanna keep doing this?With us?”
“Yes.Very much.”
“Well, good because I sent a contract over to your agent during the second intermission,” he announces, and my whole body floods with a happiness that’s overwhelming.It feels like drowning, and my eyes get watery.I look down and inhale sharply.
“Sorry.Great.Thank you.I’m… It’s great.”
“Itisgreat,” he says, and he must have moved closer because suddenly his hand is on my shoulder.“You’ve earned this second chance, Theo.Be proud of that.”
I nod and lift my head.I push my sweaty hair off my forehead with one hand and shake his hand with the other.“Also, I appreciate the restraint, but feel free to clock a guy when he’s being a bitch.Kind of part of the job.”
“Yeah.But, you know, preseason ain’t worth it,” I mutter because it’s a mostly believable lie.Coach’s face says he’s not exactly buying it, probably because he was a pest and enforcer when he played, and he knows we never skip the chance to throw a haymaker.But he nods.“Welcome to the team.”
“Thank you.”I finally let myself smile.“Also, if I can add, Callan is great with me.Great in general, but we have good chemistry on the ice.”
“Yeah, he’s staying.No need to pitch him,” Coach replies with a smile.“I’m gonna tell him next.”
“Great.Awesome.”I leave his office and start toward the locker room.
Landon is in the hall, in his Under Armor, standing at the entrance to the Friends and Family Lounge.His sister is just inside the door, holding his sleeping baby girl.“You sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yes.I swear.”Lola smiles at him.She’s a gorgeous woman; there’s no ignoring that.
I plan to breeze by and give them privacy, but Landon sees me.“All good with Coach?”
