Page 128 of Puck Me Back to Life

Not angry.

Not threatening.

Just certain.

“Do you want another one?” Ash smiles.

Every instinct I have immediately decides further debate is an awful idea.

I close my mouth.

“That's what I thought.” He nods once, clearly satisfied. “Now you're being sensible.”

I cross my arms. “I'm pouting.”

“I can see that.”

“You should feel guilty.”

“I don't.”

I try glaring.

It lasts approximately three seconds before he starts smiling. “It's too late to start acting cute now.”

He reaches for his phone sitting on my dresser and holds it up. “I already texted Coach.”

I blink. “What?”

“He knows you're taking a personal day.”

I stare. “He…what?”

“He said to take care of yourself.”

I don't know what surprises me more. That Ash texted Coach. Or that Coach apparently agreed.

“You didn't ask me.”

“I didn't need to.”

I sit down heavily on the edge of my bed. My gaze drops to the floor. For a while I simply study my socks against the hardwood.

“I'm making everyone's life difficult.”

Ash doesn't answer immediately. When I look up, he's kneeling in front of me. His damp hair hangs loose around his face, and he looks far softer than the intimidating defenseman everyone else sees.

He reaches out and gently rests both hands on my knees. “No.”

“I keep⁠—”

“Kai.”

I finally meet his eyes.

“You are allowed to need a day.” His voice is quiet. “So is Noah.”

The statement catches me off guard. Ash continues. “Both things can be true.”