Page 51 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Liam protests. "I was being charming."

"You were hogging the camera."

Toby finally wins the struggle. His smile fills the screen. "How're you feeling, Cap?"

Jamie shrugs carefully. "Better."

"You look better."

"I shaved."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know."

For a moment no one says anything. Nobody needs to. Sometimes just seeing familiar faces is enough.

Finally, Jamie leans a little closer. "How's Ethan?"

The four players glance at each other. Coach notices it too. Liam answers first. "He practiced today."

Jamie relaxes almost imperceptibly. "He okay?"

Toby nods. "Still carrying more guilt than anybody should."

Jamie looks down for a moment. "Tell him something for me."

"You got it."

"He didn't end my season." The room grows quiet. "I made that choice."

Caleb speaks for the first time in nearly a minute. "He knows."

Jamie's eyes lift. "He believes it?"

"No."

Caleb's voice stays calm. "But he'll get there."

Jamie nods slowly. "I'll call him when I'm home."

"You'll call him before then," Coach says.

"I probably will."

Liam claps his hands together. "Okay. Enough feelings."

Jamie laughs. "That didn't last long."

"I have important questions."

"I'm afraid."

"You should be."

Liam grins wickedly. "Has Nurse Tough-Love let you escape yet?"

Annette, who has been quietly updating the chart, doesn't even look up. "No."