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Okay, so he isn’t logical. We both tried out. I know he came from the other side of the tracks in town, but he couldn’t possibly hold that against me. We’re both playing in the NHL.
“We were both strong players. Brown was a solid team,” I reply, reminding myself this guy isn’t rational, and I need to know a few things.
“There stats weren’t as good as Westfall and you know it,” he bites.
He’s a little delusional. We both got scouted in the same way. I can’t be to blame for getting certain offers or his skill set.
“You went after Skylar the second we broke up,” I say because I’m still pissed that even happened. I was in a bad place when we broke up, but I never thought she would fall into the arms of another guy so quickly. We were in love. My inner voice reminds me she felt like I abandoned her.
“We became friends freshman year. I wanted her. I put the moves on her. She told me there was someone else, but she would never say who,” he says bitterly.
Damn. Skylar never told me that.
“What surprised me though when you were together was you never took her virginity. I guess at the end I was victorious because it was me who popped her cherry,” he says, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
That’s all it takes for me to see red all over again. I lose any composure and I begin to pounce on him. Punching the shit out of him. The guys from my team who aren’t on the ice have to enter the penalty box and pull me off him. I’m then escorted back to the locker room where Coach reams me out.
“I know you have some sort of a beef with this guy,” Coach Myles says pacing.
“I’m sorry, Coach,” I say with my head down.
“Sorry isn’t going to cut it, Liam. You could be up for a suspension. If we are lucky, you get a fifty grand fine and call it a day, but who knows. That isn’t the problem though. As a player you need to rein in your temper. You have a responsibility to this team. I’ve been more than patient with you after everything you’ve been through, but I can’t fight the GM when you look so bad out there,” he says two fists at his waist.
He’s right. Coach stuck by me rookie year after the accident. He said he saw greatness in me. His belief in me got me through and right now I’ve let him and the team down because I can’t stop thinking about some girl from my past.
“What did he say to get you so riled up?” Coach Myles asks with his hands on his hips. He looks tense but I see the sympathy in his gaze. He’s mad but on a different level he’s understanding too. He was an NHL player. He knows what this life entails.
“Said something about this girl I once loved,” I admit to him. I’ve never mentioned Skylar to him or anyone else before. Not even after the accident.
“That can be touchy.” He nods.
“I walked away from her, and Carter saw her broken and sad and moved in. She was my one big regret,” I say.
“That’s tough and I get it. Before my wife was my wife something big happened and tore us apart. We didn’t see each other for years and then suddenly we were back in each other’s lives,” he says.
“I don’t know where she is, Coach. She isn’t on social media. Our friends from high school haven’t heard from her since she left Boston. She was in foster care when we met, and her foster parents haven’t heard from her either. It’s like I’m pining for a ghost and it’s making me crazy. For all I know she’s married with kids,” I huff.
“That’s tough, kid, but you have a good thing going with the team. Maybe stop chasing ghosts and start living your life,” he says.
“I know you’re right. Thanks for understanding.”
“I’ll be in touch. For now, figure out how you move forward. You can’t let that asshole rule you every time you’re on the ice together. You know he’s known for causing shit with other players. He spends more time in the penalty box than most players, but he’s a good player.”
“I know.”
I get undressed and head to the showers. This is so messed up. I’m angry with myself for even trying to be nice to Carter. The guy always had a sadistic side to him. And Coach is right. I need to stop chasing ghosts. I talk to my dead brother way too much and I think about a girl who’s moved on with her life long ago. It’s time I move forward and forget Skylar Ward.
CHAPTERONE
Liam
I wait in the locker room when the guys return from the game. They lost the game three to two.
“You good?” my buddy Evan asks.
“I will be,” I assure him.
“Tough break,” Wolfe says, giving my shoulder a squeeze.
