Page 72 of These Wicked Hearts

“Hey.” I hear our trainer in my ear. “Atlas?”

“I’m okay.”

I plant my skates into the ice, trying to steady the dizziness in my head. The arena lights blur together, bright and nauseating.

“Atlas, look at me.”

He guides me to the bench, and I look at him as he helps me through the tunnel. “I said I’m fine,” I snap, though I don’t mean to. My stomach twists when I stand upright too fast, and I hunch back over.

“You can barely stand.”

“I can stand.” I pull away from him and sit down. Stubbornness flares hot in my gut. Hotter than the pain pulsing behind my eyes. I can already imagine Coach screaming at me for this.

We only have a couple of minutes left. There’s no point going back out there now. “We’re not taking the risk,” our trainer says as if he can hear my thoughts.

My head throbs like a pulse beating against my skull, and I sink back against the bench, breathing through the nausea.

“Where are you right now?”

I blink up at him. “At a hockey game.” I swallow.

“What happened in the game?”

“I got my shit rocked.”

He smirks a little. “What was the score before you got hit?”

“We’re up by three,” I say instead.

I let the doctor do his thing and answer his questions while the guys pour in, and by the sounds of their cheers, we won. Not that I had any doubt.

“Oh, damn.” Knox looks at me. “You look like shit.”

“Thanks.” I smile.

“How is he?” Knox ask our doctor.

“He’ll be fine. I just want to monitor and make sure he doesn’t have a concussion.” I’m starting to feel better already. The nausea is ebbing and I can see fine now. I need to start paying attention.

“Still up to go to Theo’s? I can take you back to the hotel first.”

I wave him away. I have a dull headache, but I really don’t want to go back yet.

“Just give me a little time to shower.”

“I have to do a couple of things with Coach first. Here. It’s my spare.” He hands me his keys. “Just wait for me in my car if I’m not done before you’re ready. I’ll meet you out there. I’ll be quick.”

“No rush.”

I walk out of the arena after satisfying our trainer, and Coach looked like he didn’t give one shit about a concussion. I was playing next game either way. Thankfully I’m cleared, but I need to let my doctor know if my symptoms come back. Taking it easy, I guess, until the next game.

I find Knox in his SUV and slide inside. “Sorry I took longer. The doctor wanted to wait and make sure I was okay.” I had him back his spare keys.

He shrugs. “No problem. How are you feeling?”

“Just a hard hit is all. I’m okay. I’ll be okay. Barely a headache.”

“You still up to coming with us? If not, I can take you back to the hotel.”