“Good.” He closes the footage. “For what it’s worth, she’s good at her job. Your shoulder’s proof of that. And Winters is an ass who’s had it out for her since day one because she threatened his authority.” He pauses. “But if this becomes a circus, I’ll have to make a call. Don’t let it become a circus.”
“It won’t.”
“Then we’re done here.”
I stand, then turn back at the door. “Barrett?”
“Yeah?”
“If Winters comes at her again, I want to know.”
“She can handle Winters.”
“I know she can. I still want to know.”
He studies me for a moment, then nods. “Fair enough.”
I head back toward the training room, Barrett’s words echoing. Seven times. I looked at the bench seven times.
She’s in my head in a way no one’s ever been. Not just want,though there’s plenty of that. But need. The kind that makes me check the medical booth during a game. The kind that makes me show up at her hotel room at 2 AM because I can’t sleep. The kind that made me stand in that hallway during opening night thinking about how she was the one who got me back on the ice.
Matty would’ve told me to stop overthinking it. Would’ve said if you like her, be with her, and fuck everyone else’s opinion.
But Matty’s not here. And I’m standing in a hallway trying to figure out how to want someone without letting it cost them everything they’ve worked for.
My phone buzzes.
Marnie
Your coach didn’t really want to see you about the power play, did he?
No
Marnie
What did he actually want?
To tell me I looked at the bench too many times during the game
Marnie
How many times?
Seven
Marnie
That’s a lot
Yeah
Marnie
Were you checking on me or your team?
You
There’s a long pause.
