Because I do, of course I do. She’s my best friend and I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember. Even knowing that love is shifting into a different type I don’t want to tell her yet. I want her to be conscious and me not rushing off topractice right after.
And maybe for Asher to not be snoring right next to us.
I leave her house, making sure to lock the door, and remember what Asher mentioned about a box that was left. Everything got a little derailed after that because Rae started taking her clothes off. But I need to remember to bring that up with her again. It’s something she clearly doesn’t want to talk about, and that usually means it’s something she’s scared of.
If she’s scared, then I need to know why. Because I want to ensure she’s always okay. At least I know that she’s safe with Asher, which is not a thought I ever would’ve expected to have.
I get to practice, quickly changing into my gear and heading out on the ice. Most of my team is already skating around, and I don’t miss Coach Mitchell giving me a look that has me knowing he’s going to make me pay for cutting it so close.
When we’re running drills, Collins is behind me and decides to run his mouth again while we wait to be up.
“You have a late night?” he questions.
I glare back at him, not understanding what his deal is with giving me shit lately. “Why do you care?”
“Just seem a bit slower on your feet today.”
I clench my jaw, but luckily it’s my turn to skate forward, collecting the puck, moving it around the orange circles as quickly as possible then shooting it into the goal, but our goalie catches it with his glove.
I grimace, skating away once again. It’s not a big deal for me as defense, but still feels more satisfying to get the goal.
Collins skates up behind me again. “Rough luck, Wheeler. Maybe you’re too distracted.”
I turn around to face him. “Why are you suddenly so interested in what I’m doing in my off time?”
“Just like to know that my teammates are putting in the same effort.”
“Last I checked you don’t have a C on your jersey.”
“I don’t have to be captain to care about the team.”
“I don’t know why you don’t think I care about this team. Dragons have been my life from the second I was born,” I scoff.
“Yeah, that’s why you’re here anyway,” he grumbles. “Nepo baby.”
“What the fuck is your deal?” I snap.
A whistle blows and Coach Mitchell is skating up next to us. “There a problem?”
“No Coach,” we both murmur.
“Better not be. If there is, I’m kicking you both off my ice and making you run sprints around the rink.”
I grit my teeth but don’t say anything, even though I want to know what Collins’ deal is with me. Half our team has families at home, the other half are single guys that go out every night. Why am I the one he’s choosing to give shit to? He’s single; I know he goes out with the guys and I know he’s not an angel in bed by nine or some shit.
“Everyone line up on the blue line,” Coach calls, skating away from us.
I keep my distance from Collins the rest of the morning. Too bad it’s not always possible and we have a game later. Rae hasn’t said if she’s coming or not, but I hope she does. Nothing makes me play better than knowing she’s up there with “Wheeler 23” on her back.
After practice,I’m tempted to go back over to Rae’s house instead of my own. I call her and she answers right away.
“Hey, practice is done, and would love to see you again,” I tell her, walking to my car.
“Nope, I kicked Asher out and I refuse to let you both distract me today.”
I can’t help but laugh a little at her serious tone, but I can hear her smile on the other end of the phone.
“You sure I can’t convince you to be distracted? Even for just a nap?” I try.
