“Stay away from me, Bennett. We’re not friends anymore.” He shoves past me, forcing me to bang into the lockers.
I watch him rush down the hall, away from me, as everything inside me shatters.
I fucked up. And now I’ve lost my best friend.
Chapter 2
Present Day
Bennett
Sweat drips down my forehead, along my nose, and down over the tip, landing on my upper lip. I lick it away, chest heaving as I uncap a bottle of water. Tipping my head back, I chug the entire thing down in seconds.
“Good work out there.” My dad, Jax, the coach of the Silver Knights hockey team, claps me on the back. “Looking sharp. Are you ready for the season?”
“My body hates me, but I’m ready.” I chuckle, using a second water bottle to pour onto my heated skin.
Perks of having the coach as your dad? Extra practice time. “You know, the Carolina Cougars are going to have scouts here. A lot of other big recruiters, too.”
“I know.” I nod.
“You could go right to the NHL after you graduate.”
“I know.” I nod again.
The plan wasn’t for me to go to the NHL when I started at SVU. I’ve always loved hockey. Since the moment I could walk, I was on skates.
It was something Jax and I bonded over.
Even though he played football in high school with my dad, his passion was always hockey. He could have been a pro, even tried it, but decided it wasn’t for him.
He loved teaching me the sport, and as I got older, I stayed in the game. I played all throughout school and now college too.
The thing is, I’m good. If I wanted to, I could make it to the NHL.
And while I love the game, I’m not sure if that’s something I want.
I’ve been working toward a career in sports management, with the idea of at least having something to do with hockey.
Playing as a full-time job in the NHL, though, is something I’m still undecided about.
“I have until the end of the year to decide, right?”
“You have until the end of the season,” Jax corrects. “I’m not trying to pressure you. I want you to do what makes you happy. But I see the love you have for the game. If you’re not sure if you want to take the NHL route, why not try for the AHL?”
I’ve heard it all before. The thing is, I’m not sure if I want to play hockey at all, because life as a professional athlete can be grueling and time-consuming.
I like living in Silver Valley, and I like being close to my family. If I take this pro athlete career path, I’m not sure how much free time I’d have to be with them. The idea of not seeing my family as much as I do now doesn’t sit right with me.
Ugh, maybe Aria was right. I’m such a mama’s boy.
Can you blame me, though? She’s literally the sweetest person ever. So damn supportive and kind. Would give you the shirt off her back and her last dollar from her purse.
I go home every Sunday for family supper and sometimes even spend a few nights a week there to hang out with my younger brothers.
That wouldn’t be something I could do if I go pro.
“Hey, Benny,” Lilly’s voice makes me smile. Looking behind Jax, I see her appear behind the glass. “You up for some breakfast?”
