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“Not if he’s stubborn about it,” Sebastian said.
“Why would Joe be stubborn?” Rome asked with a wink.
“I don’t have to defend myself to anyone. I’m not going to either. I was hoping to show up to practice. Didn’t know it was an early one. I should have figured. After what happened…”
“Jago was hungover,” Atlas said.
“Hey, fuck you,” Jago growled. “You couldn’t block a beach ball.”
“Baby still waking up a lot?” I asked.
“My personal life…” Atlas let out a growl. “Yeah. Juniper Evelyn is going through a rough patch.”
“Seems like a few of us are,” Henry said.
He nodded at me.
“Thanks for that,” I said.
“Can you tell us what really happened?” Rome asked.
“Her ex showed up and got mouthy,” I said. “Some rich guy. Business guy. Guy couldn’t even get hard for her. And then he was out screwing other women. It was never meant to be. She was always mine. Even if we just had to wait it out.”
“Wow,” Jago said. “You’re… in love.”
“Always have been,” I said.
“I thought love made a person happy,” Sebastian said with a grin.
“Supposed to,” I said. “Not when you’re not with the person you love.”
“This is so emotional,” Atlas said. “Are you going to be able to play hockey again, Joe? I mean, with all these emotions…”
“Says the guy with a baby,” I said. “All you went through? And we were there for you.”
“Fair point,” Atlas said. “How about you just figure it out, instead of wandering around like some lost, pathetic soul? Figure it out, man. I’m sorry if that’s mean. But what the hell?”
“Why do you think I’m standing here?” I asked. “I wanted to talk to you all. Tell you what’s going on. What I said to my agent. And to the lawyers for the team. I’m not going to back down from anything.”
“I feel like I’m supposed to talk you out of it,” Sebastian said. “But I’m not going to.”
“Can I give my advice?” Rome asked.
“Your advice scares people,” I said.
“I have some good advice. Romantic advice.”
“It’ll lead to sex,” Jago said.
“Of course it will,” Rome said.
I turned and walked down the hallway without saying goodbye.
They all called for me, one by one. Even Atlas.
I made a silent decision on the lonely walk out of the building.
Alone felt right.
