Page 9 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"I enjoy rare moments of patient cooperation."

Annoying woman. This time Liam does laugh. Small. Relieved. Good. If Liam can laugh, the team can breathe.

Sam and Mark move into position. Annette gives the count. They're careful, I suppose. But pain still turns the edges of the world bright and thin.

By the time they strap me in, sweat has broken across my forehead.

My lungs feel too small. My shoulder feels too big.

I turn my head before they start moving.

Ethan stands near the boards with both hands pressed to the top of his helmet.

He's crying. Trying not to. Failing.

The sight hits harder than the collision. I can't reach him. I can't get up. I can't pull him aside and tell him one ugly bounce doesn't define a career.

So, I do the only thing I can.

I find his eyes. I give him one tiny nod. “Play the next one.” His face crumples once before he drags it back together.

Good kid. He'll learn.

The gurney starts moving.

The crowd rises.

At first, I think they're cheering.

Then I realize they're standing.

Stick taps begin near the Blizzards bench.

One by one, they spread across the ice.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

The sound follows me all the way to the tunnel.

I stare at the rafters and pretend it doesn't matter.

The second we pass beneath the arena and the lights dim, the sound changes.

No crowd.

No broadcast.

No anthem music.

Just wheels rattling over concrete and the squeak of Sam's shoes beside me.

Annette walks at my left shoulder. "Still with me?"

"Unfortunately."