Yes, I micromanaged the shit out of Piper’s life in general, especially when she lived with me.Up to and including punching Kru in the face for canoodling with her under my roof.
And yes, I might have invited Casey to be my roommate because I already can’t stand the idea that some new creep will fucking catcall her on an innocent walk through downtown Bayshore.
But this is who I am.A man who controls everything that he can.Which is why the one uncontrollable thing—August—is eating me alive.
The hiss of the steel blade slicing into the ice temporarily quiets my brain.I draw deep breaths as I let myself get lost in the cold, the glide, the focus.
And almost immediately, the twinge is there.
Fuck.
The injury tugs at me in the tight turns.It slows down my acceleration.And when I test the full sprint down the rink, the cold air tearing past my face, knee whining, I know I have to stop.
My heart is heavier than I want to acknowledge, so I busy myself doing nothing laps.Easy, low-impact loops that pass the time while I get my head right.Because those kids are going to be showing up soon, and I need to be ready.
By the time the doors start swinging open, I’ve mostly pulled myself out of my pity spiral.It quickly becomes evident that the first ones in are not children or even part of the workshop – they are bona fide Crushers fans who have come to cheer me on during the workshop.
“Keegan!Good to see you on the ice!”one calls out.
I skate up to the side where people are now filtering in.It looks like a mix of fans and parents and…my family, apparently.My big brother Dane comes in with Lia in tow, both of them waving.
“What’s up, brother?”Dane comes up to the boards, and we hug over the top.Then Lia wants a turn so Dane lifts her up, and I get a big hug of my squishy Lia.
“What are you guys doing here?”I ruffle Lia’s hair as Dane sets her back down.She’s hopping excitedly, looking around.“It’s Friday afternoon, I thought you’d be at work.”
“Lia had a doctor’s appointment so we came to cheer you on before we go get ice cream.”
“Wow.Nearly perfect afternoon.”
“Mom and Asher are coming too.”
I snort.“Guys.This is just a youth workshop.There’s no game happening.”
“I know,” Dane says, “but this is great, what you’re doing here with the kids.I just wanna support you.”
I’m touched more than I can say, a lump growing in my throat.I have the best family in the world, and I know it.Which makes the thought of a potential trade to a new team somewhere else in the country an even harder pill to swallow.“Man, you gunning for best brother of the year or something?”
“I’ll definitely beat out Jett, since he’s stuck fixing a car today.”Dane smiles softly as he looks out at the ice, his features reminding me so much of our Dad.“Asher’s the wild card.Can’t tell if he’ll pull ahead because he’s kind of been our stand-in dad.”
I laugh, squeezing Dane’s shoulder.“Well, that should mean thatyouwin, because you were always willing to go bend the rules with me.Like toilet papering the Franklin house.”Dane had been the only brother willing to toilet paper my hockey rival’s house with me; even Jett, wholovedto get into trouble—and still does—said no when I asked him.But Dane was there with me, and I’m pretty sure Pat Franklin still hates me for it.
By now the students are arriving, and the stands are filling up.I direct the kids to the locker rooms, posing for a few pictures with parents while everyone’s getting their gear on.
Mom and Asher eventually show up, waving and pumping me up like this is a championship game instead of a skills clinic for kids.I appreciate the support more than I can express; it feels good knowing they’re here.
It just feels like someone’s missing.
Not Piper—I know she and Kru are busy with a private event today.No, I wish Casey could be here.This isn’t the type of thing I’d invite her to, especially when we’re just old friends.Hell, I wouldn’t even invite Branson to this.
But Casey has me wanting any spare second she has to offer.And I have to really push my thoughts of her out of my head as the kids begin filtering out onto the ice and the workshop begins.
The two hours pass quickly.The attendees go from scared and nervous to smiling and excited by the end.It’s fulfilling to see the transformation that professional guidance can provide, and I’m looking forward to the full summer of classes.The kids are all giving each other high-fives as they head for the locker room.
By the time I’m changed and leaving the rec center, it’s almost five.I’m starving and ready to focus on something that isn’t related to ice or my knee.So I text Branson.
GRIFFIN: What’s on ur agenda?
BRANSON: Whatever you tell me.Where are we going tonight?
