A huge grin spreads wide across my face. Just like that, all the tension from the car ride over melts away.
“Game face, Parker,” Coach Tidwell yells, passing me.
“Yes, Coach.” I swallow, stuffing my phone into my pocket.
Right.
I am fierce.
Grumpy.
Think of things you hate, like…goats…and bare feet……
Images of Aulie giggling in bed, our feet tangled in the sheets, push all the negative images away.
Warmth spreads in my chest.
I’m too happy.
Fuck.
* * *
I don’t knowif I’ve ever been boarded more in my life. Groaning, I drop my body on the bench and start untying my skates.
“You coming out tonight?” Grady asks.
I shake my head. How could I? I’m one giant fucking bruise.
“Nah, I’m going back to the apartment and ice…everything. I can hardly walk.”
“Wouldn’t have to worry about that if you had your head in the game.,” Grady says, crashing down next to me.
“He’s right, Parker.” Coach hovers, inches away. “You know where we are in the standings?”
“I do, sir. Three games back.”
“The climb to a playoff spot will be hard, but it’s not impossible as long as you step up and play the way you’re expected. We need you all in.”
“I understand, sir.”
“I don’t think you do. When I said no more distractions, I didn’t mean to find a different one. For the next few months, hockey needs to be your sole focus—I don’t care what that means in your personal life. Look around. Your teammates need you.”
My eyes roam over the locker room with a swallow. Grady, Wes, Coop, and Big Ed have been carrying the team on their shoulders for too long because of a mistake I made at the beginning of the season, and they’re starting to show the wear and tear of my actions.
I owe them.
Even if it means jeopardizing my happiness. That’s what a good teammate would do, anyway.
“Hey, Jack.” A security officer sticks his head in the locker room. “Your girlfriend is waiting out in the hallway for you.”
Aulie’s here?
The anticipation to see her fills me with excitement, humming along my skin like a buzzing electric current. I should be frustrated that she came when she hasn’t reached her recovery window yet. Instead, I’m a plant about to receive a well of sunshine after many days of cloudy skies.
“Shut it down, Parker.” Coach Tidwell grumps, walking away.
Shit yeah, waxing poetic about being a plant isn’t the type of stuff I should think about. When I was away from the team, I was so confident in my decision to keep things going with Aulie that no other choice seemed possible. But now, there’s an inkling of doubt that’s telling me I’m a selfish-ass staying this happy.
