Page 22 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Toby.

Ethan.

Those are the names that matter.

Coach has already texted. Surgery went well. Proud of you. Call when you're awake.

Colby: Don't be stupid today. That's my job.

A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

Toby's message is exactly three words. Need anything, Cap?

Liam somehow manages six messages overnight.

The first five are terrible jokes.

The last one simply says...Missed seeing you on the plane. That one hits harder.

Caleb's message is only one sentence. Heal properly. Trust a goalie to use two words when everyone else writes forty.

Then...Ethan.

My thumb hesitates over his name.

A text started but no message.

My chest tightens. That tells me more than anything he could have written.

The kid's blaming himself.

I set the phone down and rub a hand across my face.

Coach first.

I hit the call button. He answers before the second ring. "Morning, Captain."

"You sound tired."

Coach chuckles softly. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing."

I lean back against the pillows. The movement reminds every rib that it's broken.

Wonderful.

"How are you?"

There's the question everyone keeps asking. How are you? I ignore it.

"How's Ethan?"

Silence. Not long. Just long enough.

Coach sighs. "I figured that would be your first question."

"He okay? Coach?"

"No."