“I don’t know what drugs they gave Jere for his back, but do you think he could hook me up?” Zeke wonders. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him skate so fast in my life.”
“He’s been working for months to be back on the ice,” Brooks interrupts. “I couldn’t imagine not being able to do what I love most, and Jere was put in that position.”
“He’s okay now, right?” Fletcher pauses. “Jere would tell us if something was wrong, right?”
“Not enjoying first line, Fletch?” Jaxon wonders.
With Jeremy out, the lines got switched up, and Coach said the new lines would remain until Jeremy was 100%. Which, according to him, he has been since the accident.
“I honestly think I outshine you guys,” he replies. “So, I’m just looking out for you.”
“It’s Jeremy,” I begin, replying to his original question, “he’d most definitely keep it to himself.”
“He’s in physical therapy three days a week,” Zeke begins. “If something was wrong, they’d know. Coach wouldn’t let him play if there was something to—”
A buzzer goes off, and the crowd erupts in screams. Not as loud as we’re used to because we aren’t playing at home, but loud enough for us to know we scored another goal.
Or I should say Jeremy got his hat trick.
Not only have I never seen Jeremy so happy, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen Coach so proud of someone. I mean, he supports all of us. He pushes us hard; he knows how good we are, and he tells us. But Jeremy has an obstacle none of us have, one that Coach was worried about when Jere first got his diagnosis.
I think it makes him happy to see Jeremy living his dream despite an almost career-ending injury.
“Sorry, Sanderson, I think Coach has a new favorite,” Jaxon teases as we return to the ice to finish the game.
By the time the final buzzer rings, it's 5-1, and I know Cam will be beating himself up for letting that one puck in.
“Alright, what are we doing tonight to celebrate, boys?” Jeremy wonders. He’s usually the last person who wants to go out, but after three goals and an assist, it makes sense he’d want to celebrate.
“I don’t know if I’m up for anything, man.” Zeke yawns. “I think I’d like to just hang out in the hotel room tonight. Maybe get room service.”
“Zeke Harris doesn’t want to go out?” Jaxon gasps. “I never thought I’d live to see the day. Think about all the women, Zeke. All of the fresh puck bunnies for you.”
“You’re funny.” Zeke rolls his eyes. “But really, I’m not into tonight. Maybe another night.”
“I’ll go out with you, man,” Cam volunteers. “I never go out back home, so it’ll be nice to just get a beer.”
“And find some ladies,” Jaxon adds. “I’ll come too.”
“I don’t care about the women.” Cam laughs. “I just need a drink.”
I pat him on the shoulder as I dry my hair with a towel.
“Don’t beat yourself up, man,” I begin. “I should’ve been on the puck better. If anything, I blocked your view.”
“Thanks, Sanderson, but that was all me.” He forces a smile. “You coming out with us?”
I should. It’d be the perfect opportunity to get on Cam’s good side. I mean, not that we have any issues, but I know what people say about me, and if I can prove to him that I’m not that guy… Maybe he’ll think I’m good enough for his sister.
Not that I think I’ll ever be good enough for Ember, she’s way out of my league, but that doesn’t mean I won’t spend every day trying to be the guy she deserves.
“He can’t,” Fletcher interrupts, and I turn to him.
“I can’t?”
“No, you have that thing.”
What thing?I’m supposed to call Em at midnight, but other than that, I don’t—
