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Kyler shrugs as best he can before replying, “There was a fight at work and it got out of hand. I stepped in as best I could, but pretty much got the brunt of it. Stupid kids opening a tab and drinking more than they can handle.”
I can’t believe in less than a minute, Jude managed to get more out of Kyler than I had in the space of an hour, and the frustration builds inside me. How dare he grace Jude with an explanation and me with nothing when both of our intentions were to make sure he was okay.
“You gonna be okay for practice tomorrow? Cap will be pissed if not.” Jude continues as he opens a cupboard and grabs a bowl for some cereal.
“I’ll be fine,” Kyler reassures him. “It’s nothing aspirin, ibuprofen, and a couple hours sleep won’t fix.” He turns to me before continuing. “Thanks for the help, Thea,” he says as he walks out of the kitchen without a backward glance and makes his way up the stairs, leaving Jude and I alone.
“Do I need to be worried about whatever this is?” Jude asks, signaling to the doorway which Kyler has just departed and back to me.
“I just helped with his cuts, is all,” I explain, quickly putting away the first aid box and grabbing my water bottle.
“Just . . . be careful Thea,” Jude calls out me as I leave the kitchen.
One thing I know for certain, Jude’s cause for concern is not one I’ll take lightly, but I fear it’s already too late. I’ve started peeling back the layers of Kyler Rose and beneath the tough guy exterior, I’m convinced there is a sensitive, fragile soul who just needs to have someone on their side. And if it has to be me, then so be it.
ten
Kyler
Jude’s warning to his sister plays on repeat in my mind. I don’t think he expected me to hear him. In fact, I know he didn’t because he’s acting like nothing has changed. I don’t need my roommate and teammate, not to mention one of my closest friends, warning his baby sister about me. I know I’m trouble. I’m a tall, walking, talking mistake. I thought Jude trusted me. I guess not. More so, he hasn’t even asked where I’ve been. Since that fateful morning, I haven’t been in the house other than to change my clothes. I didn’t even bother to look in the refrigerator to see if Thea had left me anything because I don’t want to feel any worse than I already do when it comes to her. She’s undoubtedly the sweetest person I know, and the last thing she needs is to get tangled up with a guy like me.
I make sure to hide any evidence I slept on the couch in the locker room. It wasn’t my plan, but I fell asleep studying and when I woke about three a.m., the last thing I wanted was to be questioned by security as to why I’m out walking through campus in the middle of the night. I don’t need anything jeopardizing my scholarship. This also isn’t my first night here. Since Jude uttered the words I thought he would never have to, I’ve crashed at my mom’s, slept in the office at the bar, and took up residence on this couch. Oddly, sleeping in the locker room has been the most peaceful sleep I’ve had since Thea’s arrival. I don’t have to hear her in the middle of the night. I don’t have to smell her perfume or expect to find her in the kitchen when I get home from work. And I don’t have to wonder what’s going on in her room. She’s out of sight, out of mind.
Except, she isn’t.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her and wondering what she’s doing. I hate the fact I can’t get her out of my mind. And just when I think she’s gone from my thoughts, she walks by me on campus, not realizing I’m there. I may have ducked behind a tree a time or two, but only so I wouldn’t have to explain myself and so I could watch her freely without being accused of lurking. I’m beyond thankful we don’t have any classes together and Marty hasn’t mentioned her since I put the fear of God into him. I’m tempted to ask but there’s no point. I warned Marty and it would be foolish of me to bring her up.
My blades cut through the freshly-groomed ice. The arena is still dark. This is the benefit of sleeping in the locker room—I’m the first on the ice. This is the only time I feel at peace. It’s just me, my stick, the puck, and the cold surface I hope will provide me financial stability. Once I’m in the NHL, there is so much I’ll be able to do. I drop the puck and work my stick from side to side. I love the sound of my blades cutting into the ice. The whoosh excites me.
When I cross center line, I speed up and imagine the arena full of parents and students, cheering. I love the roar of the crowd when we score and hearing them chant NU over and over. I need for this season to start. I need to wear my uniform, hear the national anthem, and focus on winning. Losing is not an option. I want another National Championship. I need it.
The lights come on and I stop my pursuit to the goal. The coaching staff is out first, and they dump a bucket of pucks onto the ice. I skate over to the bench and stop just shy of the boards.
“Hey, Coach.” I rest my stick against the board and reach for my water. I’m not thirsty but I need to stay hydrated. One thing about not being at the house all the time is I’m scraping by when it comes to my fitness. It’s not like I can count on my mom to cook me anything decent. Her idea of a healthy meal is top ramen and hot dogs. Another reason I work so much, so there’s always food in the cupboard for Lacey.
“Rose,” Coach says. “I like seeing you on the ice early.”
“Thanks.”
“Make sure you stretch well.” He takes one last look at me and leaves. Until the season starts, he can’t coach us, but we still have a captain’s practice. It’s not required, but if you don’t show up, you better have a damn good explanation as to why. Work, studying—none of those matter—what matters is you’re on the ice and you’re getting better.
The guys start to come out of the locker room. As soon as they touch the ice, their sticks are down and they’re slapping a puck around. I start to stretch because Coach is right. I need to. My back is killing me, and I feel out of whack, which means I need to set a time with the trainer to get some stim. Everything feels tight and it’s a good way to get hurt.
“Hey man, Thea’s worried about you. Says you haven’t been eating the food she leaves you in the fridge.” Jude skates over and starts his stretching exercises next to me.
Dammit, I told her to stop. “She doesn’t need to worry.”
“Clearly, you don’t know my sister. She’s like a room mother or mother hen. I’m not sure which is worse. Regardless, she cares and wants us to eat right and all that sort of shit. So, eat her food.”
“I can’t afford to pay her for it.”
“There’s nothing to pay for. The money my parents are saving by having her live at the house, they’re giving to her to buy food. It’s the tradeoff. Eat the damn food, Ky. Unless you don’t like it. If that’s the case, just take your plate to your room and when she’s not looking, flush it.”
I laugh and shake my head. “She’s a good cook.”
“Yeah, she is, and she’s worried about you. So just . . . I don’t know, stop making her worry.” Jude’s words confuse me. He warned her to stay away from me, yet he wants me to put in an effort to please her. I know the situations aren’t even remotely the same, but still.
“Anyway,” he starts, “where ya been staying?”
