Page 65 of The Has-Been

But as Tatum begins to turn and reach for it, Reid throws a punch with everything he’s got.

A fucking sucker punch—that’s how low he has gone. What. The. Hell.

Tatum sways on his skates but manages to stay upright.

The crowd roars, and the boys go wild, the team rising from the bench and charging the ice. And before we know it, the ice is a boxing ring.

“Oh, fuck,” I say, running my hands through my hair.

Aubrey and I rise, knowing we are about to have several bleeding noses and cuts on our hands.

Brennan approaches Reid, trying to pull him away. But Reid must mistake Brennan for one of Chadlington’s players because he throws a wicked punch straight at him, immediately turning his attention back on Tatum.

The refs desperately try to pull Reid away, but fail. He lands another blow on Tatum, a wicked uppercut to Chadlington’s captain’s jaw. My mouth drops open as Tatum falls, seeming to move in slow motion, his body limp. His helmet is long gone, so when he hits the ice, the loud thump of his skull resonates even over the roaring crowd.

CHAPTER 13

I’LL BE DAMNED

LIAM

In response to a crisis, the body reacts in a series of events.

The hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to release epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. The immediate effects are an increased heart rate, as your body pumps more blood to your muscles. Your blood pressure rises to deliver oxygen efficiently. Your respiratory rate increases for more oxygen intake. Pupils dilate for better vision. Then, your digestive and immune systems slow down, your body prioritizing survival. Most people experience an emotional and behavioral response—fight, flee, or freeze.

And as I think over everything I learned in my human physiology class, I can finally answer the question I always wondered:

Would I fight, flee, or freeze?

Apparently, I would freeze.

Because as I watch Tatum Hart fall unconscious on the ice, his head smacking against it loud enough to break up the fight and silence the arena, I don’t move.

My hearing is dulled, my breath coming in quick pants as my heart threatens to beat out of my chest.

And still, I don’t move.

I watch as my world turns in slow motion.

Reid is escorted off the ice, his pale form trying to look back to find Tatum.

A little late to be concerned about Chadlington’s captain, I think, as I blink slowly.

I look over the ice and find Aubrey’s dark hair fluttering behind her as she makes her way toward Tatum. My body wants to stand, to follow her out there.

I know we need to assess him.

When it comes to head and spine injuries, time is of the essence.

But when my body tells my mind to give the order, there is a disconnect. I remain standing, watching from behind the glass.

Aubrey falls to her knees, shoving aside Chadlington’s players who have circled around their captain.

Finally, my body and mind connect.

I’m on the ice, pushing past the players as I join Aubrey. Her panicked eyes find mine for just a second, and there is no warmth in them. They quickly sweep over Tatum, as do my own.

His nose is crooked, clearly broken if the blood is any indication.