Page 237 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

The next... I'm sitting alone in my truck.

The second coffee is still sitting untouched in the cup holder.

Cold now. Just like the knot settling in my chest.

***

My phone buzzes.

Coach Calling.

I almost ignore it.

Instead...

I answer. "Walker."

"You missed film."

I close my eyes. "I know."

A pause. "You okay?"

No, not even close. But the words catch somewhere behind my ribs.

Coach has known me for nearly ten years. He doesn't need the answer.

"Where are you?"

"Truck."

"Hospital?"

"Yeah."

"I'm coming."

"You don't have to."

"I'm already grabbing my keys."

The line goes dead.

Twenty minutes later he climbs into the passenger seat without asking permission.

Neither of us speaks. He notices the untouched second coffee.

Doesn't ask.

Finally, very quietly. "She left." It's not a question.

I nod once.

Coach leans back against the seat and stares through the windshield.

"I've coached hundreds of players."

Silence.