“You sure you’re all right?” Roman Rivera slides into place next to me.
I growl, and Rivera, one of my best friends, knows when to back off.
Harl blows the whistle for the next drill. I push hard, but when I make a pass, the puck hits the post again. Clang. I curse under my breath. Practice drags. By the time we hit cooldown laps, my legs are burning, and my head’s worse. Harl waits by the bench as we file off. My hair is plastered to my skull when I remove my helmet.
“Tully.” He jerks his chin toward the tunnel. “A word.”
“What’s going on?” he asks a minute later, voice low, no bullshit. “What’s got you so off? You’ve been a mess since we started practice. You gonna be good by the time we play our preseason game?”
“I’m fine, Coach. I’ll be ready.”
He exhales through his nose. He’s been around me long enough to know when I’m not.
“Okay. I guess I’ll have to take your word for it. You tell me if you need a day. I want you operating at full capacity, and right now, you’re skating like a drunk toddler. I need you on your game. Are we clear?”
“Clear.”
He claps my shoulder once, then heads back to the ice. I lean against the wall for a second, eyes closed, and then make my way to the locker room. I remove my gear in a fog, and by the time I come out of the shower and pick up my phone, it’s blown up.
“Operation Get Him Laid” cannot be put off any longer. I’ve given the bare minimum, which isI’m fine. Didn’t go as I’d hoped, or something along those lines. It did not satisfy the girls.
Goldie messaged me privately, but I haven’t even given her much more thanThings aren’t great.
I keep promising to call and catch her up, but now that I’ve started training, I’m using that excuse.
Goldie
Tully, where the fuck are you?
I guess she’s sick of being put off.
Ava
It’s like we’re being ghosted by our brother, Golds. I feel like it’s too soon in our relationship for you to do that to me, Tully. Lol
Erin
DETAILS OR WE RIOT.
Ava
Did Operation Get Him Laid fail spectacularly or what?
Erin names the thread “Operation Come the Fuck Back, TULLY.”
Goldie
Tully, answer or I’m calling Dad!
I scroll past. No energy for that circus right now. Not to mention, the family thread isalso on my back.
Dad
Proof of life. That goes for everyone, but especially you, Tully. Not used to you being quiet. How’s training going?
Camden
Just had the best croissant made by this beauty right here.
