AllFreeNovel
Share Us
twenty-four
Evan
“I apologize for disappointing you. It’s not something I intended. And I’m sure when we had our discussion about me coming to the team, you had a different plan, but I’d like to focus only on the team house.”
Jayden sits across from me with a blank expression. He hasn’t said a word since I sat down and started talking. I basically word-vomited everything I’ve been thinking and feeling. A man I have known almost my whole life, who has seen me at the top of my game, has listened with no judgment whatsoever. I don’t want to upset him or even disappoint him, but I also knew I had to be honest. I had to be true to my ongoing issues.
When he leans in, I hold my breath as he presses his elbows into his desk and props his face on his hands. “Let me let you in on a little secret,” he starts, holding my gaze and making me super nervous. “I would have hired you even knowing all that, Evan. Because you’re a good fucking dude.” I let out that breath I’ve been holding in a whoosh, and he smiles. “You’re doing great, okay?” I meet his gaze, and he nods. “Really. I get it, things are a little up in the air, and I’m sure you feel the way you did the first time you were on skates. All wobbly and off-balance. For good reason. You’re struggling with the one thing that has been your go-to from day one. You’re not the first, nor will you be the last, but from what I’m gathering, you’re going to help a lot of people. And that’s awesome.”
“That’s my goal,” I somehow get out, and he nods.
“I know. And one thing about you Adlers, you set a goal, you get there,” he says, smiling at me fondly. “None of what you’ve shared with me affects how I feel about you being the RA of the house, Evan. You are doing great things for those boys, and I truly believe you’ll continue doing so.”
“Thank you,” I say in a low voice. “I just don’t want to let you down. I respect you too much.”
“Same, bud. Same,” he assures me. “My goal and my job are to put you in the best position to be your best. To guide you. And I can’t do that if I don’t know how you’re feeling, so thank you for sharing that with me and for trusting me.”
“Absolutely. Thank you for being so receptive.”
“Anytime,” he says, standing, and I do the same before we shake hands. “If you need someone to skate with you, let me know. We can hit the ice or get some rollerblades, whatever. Let me help you—when you’re ready.”
I hold his gaze for a second. “You’re going to do great things with this program, Coach Sinclair.”
He grins. “Thanks, bud. That means a lot.”
As I leave, I find myself looking at the rink, and I even take in a deep inhale. The fear floods me within seconds, and I hate it. It’s so frustrating to know I am scared of something that I learned to skate on before I even walked a step. Mental blocks are a fucking trip and rude as fuck. It’s such hell, such bullshit, and as Jayden said, I want to help people just like me. When my phone sounds, I pull it out to see it’s Callie. With just one look at her name, my body vibrates with the memory of last night. All the pleasure she gave me, the laughs, and then the frostbite on my ass that I experienced.
Man, what a night.
Callie: Just got done with my volunteering hours. Did you already have your meeting? If you’re still in it, call me when you get done. Maybe we can meet for a run?
I hit her name, and she answers right away.
“How’d it go?” she asks immediately.
“Very well. He was understanding and supportive.”
“As he should be! I’m so glad. How do you feel?”
I smile. “Really good.”
“Fantastic. That makes me so happy. I was a little worried,” she admits with a laugh. “So, where are you off to now?”
“I’ve got class at one and a doctor’s appointment at four.”
“Four?”
“Yeah, I’m switching back to my brother’s fiancée for med management. She’s doing telehealth now, and she is insistent on fitting me into her schedule.”
“Well, that’s cool. She’s the one who works with Nico, right?”
I dislike the thorn that ends up in my side at just the mention of his name. I wonder if I should tell Callie what he said, but I don’t want to cause issues between them. Instead, I say, “Yeah, she works with all of the IceCats. She took care of me while I was there.”
“I love Angie. She’s awesome.”
“She is. We’ll have to do dinner when we’re on break.”
“I’d love that,” she gushes, and I smile. “Maybe you’ll show me off as your girlfriend.”
I chuckle. “Owen knows already.” I’m met with silence. “What? Is that not okay?”
“You told him I was your girlfriend?”
“Not in those words, but in others that very much meant I’m seeing you and only you.”
I can hear her grin in her voice as she speaks. “Fine. I’ll play along, Adler.”
“What do you mean? You’re being a weirdo,” I tease, and she laughs.
“I’ll play along,” she laughs. “I’ll tell everyone in so many words that you’re my boyfriend.”
I snort. “What the hell?”
