“Is it true that the article about her was false?” the reporter asks, and my mood dims slightly. I don’t want to think about the pain Gwen has been through.
“It is. Gwen is an amazing woman. She’s my rock, my world, my everything,” I tell the reporter, and she smiles.
Holt makes his way toward us and sprays the last of his bottle on the reporter while shouting in excitement. He looks like an animal.
“Time to go,” Lauren, our director, tells the reporters, and one by one they leave the locker room.
I quickly check my phone and see a wave of celebration texts coming in. I scan for Blake’s name, but there’s still no update from him.
We wait another five minutes for the crowd to clear before leaving. Security says it isn’t safe to go out yet, so we stay in the room a little longer.
“It wasn’t our best game, but we did what we had to do,” I hear Coach say into a phone.
“Do you think we’ll ever be good enough in Coach’s eyes?” Holt asks as he sits beside me, looking over at Coach.
“I gave up on that a long time ago. I just focus on giving my best. When I get home after a day and feel tired and sore, I know I did it right,” I tell Holt, and he nods.
“Then we definitely did it right today,” he sighs, stretching his neck.
My phone buzzes, and I quickly check, hoping it’s Blake. I sigh when I see it’s my dad calling. We haven’t talked since he was at my apartment, when he told me to basically break up with Gwen.
“Hello,” I say as I pick up.
“Congratulations. You did pretty well out there,” dad says.
“Thanks,” I reply, short and monotone.
“I’ve been meaning to call you sooner,” dad says softly. “I know this isn’t the best time, but I needed to talk to you.”
“About what?” I ask, my tone sharp.
“I wanted to apologize,” dad says, and my eyes widen. He’s never apologized for anything in his life, at least not to me.
“You do?” I ask in shock.
“I realize I was a bit… quick to judge your girlfriend,” dad explains. “I saw you two on the ice in the semis, and since then, I’ve regretted my actions.”
“Well, thanks, dad,” I say softly, unsure if this is really happening.
“I’d like to invite you and Gwendolyn over for dinner. Your mom has agreed to make your favorite casserole,” Dad tells me, and I can hear the discomfort in his voice.
“I’ll ask Gwen if she’s open to that,” I tell him, and I hear him take a deep breath.
“Please also tell her I’d like to apologize to her in person,” he adds, and I’m even more surprised.
“I will. I’ll call you tomorrow, ok?” I ask, and dad agrees. “Tell mom I said hi. I love you guys.”
“We’re proud of you, son. Love you too,” he says before hanging up.
I sit on the bench in the locker room for a few minutes, staring at the wall in front of me. Did that really just happen?
I only snap out of it when Eddie from security comes in and tells us it’s clear to leave.
Coach reminds us about the upcoming celebration when we head out. We all know it’s no longer an invitation, it’s an expectation.
“See you Monday,” I tell Holt before heading to my car. I toss my gear into the back and get in quickly. I check my phone one more time for any update from Blake, but I still haven’t heard from him.
I pull out of the parking lot and head home to see Gwen and my friends.
