Page 5 of One Pucking Heart

CHAPTER THREE

BECKETT

With my leg elevated out in front of me, I have a bag of ice resting on my knee. I lean against a mountain of pillows and replay last night’s game against Pittsburgh, picking apart everything I could’ve done better. Our team should’ve won. We should be moving on to round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Our performance, as a whole, leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. We had a stellar season only to throw it all away against a team with less talent.

I throw my head against the pillows with a groan as Cade walks into my childhood room.

He glances toward the television and shakes his head. Grabbing the remote from my hand, he shuts it off. “Why are you doing this to yourself? Don’t you think you have enough to focus on without the added stress of picking apart everything we did wrong?”

“You know I’m a glutton for punishment.”

“Well, don’t be. You need to focus on healing. No doubt about it, yesterday sucked. Hell, the other six games sucked, too. There’s no question we should’ve moved on. No one would’ve predicted the outcome, but that’s sports. Sometimes you’re just off, and we were off. It wasn’t just you or me or anyone else in particular. As a team, we didn’t bring it. But it’s over.” He sighs and takes a seat at the end of the bed, facing me. “Next season will be our redemption season.”

“Hell yeah, it will.”

“Okay, then. So let it go. Focus on getting healthy.”

“Not much I can do now but sit around,” I grumble.

Cade huffs out a chuckle. “Yeah, man. Being injured sucks. Watch a movie, anything but replays of the game.”

There’s a soft knock on the door, and Mom walks in with a tray of snacks. “I brought you all your favorites.”

She sets the tray on the bed beside me. “Thanks, Mom.”

Leaning forward, she runs her hands through my hair. “Is there anything else I can get for you, sweetie?”

“You know those snickerdoodle cookies you used to make when we were sick? You served them with warm sweetened milk? I could use some of those.” I tilt my head to the side with a smile, my charm on full display.

My mother’s face lights up. “Oh, sure! I’m out of cinnamon, but that’s okay. I’ll take a quick trip to the store and make them. Will you be okay without me for an hour?”

I nod. “I’ll be okay. Thanks, Mom. Love ya.”

“Love you, my sweet.” She squeezes my hand and hurries from the room.

Cade waits until she’s gone before he cracks up. “What is your problem, man? You’re pushing twenty-seven. This isn’t normal behavior.” He shakes his head with a scoff.

“Hey, I’m doing it for my mom. She loves taking care of me, and I’ll always be her little boy in her eyes.”

He puckers his lips and raises his eyebrows. “Riiight,” he draws out. “So you’re acting completely helpless for your mom’s benefit?”

“Obviously.” I snicker. “She loves it.”

He raises his hands in surrender. “Alright, whatever. Is there anything you need before I head out?”

“I’ll survive until my mom gets back,” I say with a mock woe-is-me tone, causing Cade to laugh again.

He leaves, and I turn the TV back on. Feeling nostalgic, I pull up the first Harry Potter movie. It’s been years since I’ve had a Harry Potter marathon, and a viewing will go well with all the nostalgic treats my mom will be making me.

Cade returns, cracking my door open. “Look who I ran into as I was walking out?” He opens the door wider to reveal our new doctor, Elena Cortez.

She enters the room, and I snatch up the remote and click off the TV.

“I didn’t picture you as a Harry Potter fan.” She takes a step toward me, a duffel bag in her hand.

“He wanted something nostalgic to go with the homemade cookies his mommy is making him,” Cade teases. That fucker knows me too well.

“You can go,” I grumble to Cade, eyes squinted.

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