Page 17 of The Captain

Sometimes I felt like there was nothing left for me here, and leaving to try to get picked up as a free agent would be better than staying in school.

Then I thought about her…

Hockey was all I’ve ever wanted. From the time I could strap on a pair of skates and chase after my friends on the ice, I knew it was what I wanted to do.

School has always been a struggle for me, and now, after finishing my third year of college with the threat of having to retake classes, I just felt dread swirling in my gut.

Heading up to my parents’ side door, I slip in unnoticed. The street was lined with cars; the party was in full swing, and I was…late.

I’m sure they thought I was trying to make some sort of statement. After the way I reacted to the news that my coach and my sister were in a relationship, it made sense people would think that.

But I wasn’t as selfish as some thought.

I saw the way Coach made my sister happy, and she deserved happiness and nothing less.

Voices filter through the door, and I spot my mom in the middle of it, laughing with Coach’s parents and some other neighbors that I can’t remember the names of now. I spot some of my teammates wandering throughout the house and slap their open palms as we pass by each other.

My mom spots me and comes toward me, arms stretched wide open. “Lincoln, honey!” I lean into her touch, and she kisses my cheek, pulling me into a hug.

I absolutely loved my mom. Some would call me a mama’s boy, and they would be right.

I hate that soon she was going to be majorly disappointed in me.

“How are you?” she asks quietly when we pull back, her hand still on my cheek. I study her features, closely matching my sister’s, and smile.

“I’m fine.” I clear my throat and squeeze her hand on my cheek. “Where’s the bride to be?”

“Oh mingling. I think I saw her friends just show up.” She points vaguely, and my stomach clenches with nerves. I cover it up with a smile.

“Great.”

Great…fuck.

I take a deep breath, suddenly interested in finding my dad and my neighbors and anyone on my team.

Anything to distract from seeing—

I turn a corner and see her.

Her blonde hair that normally lives in a bun on top of her head is down in big movie star curls, wispy bangs fell across her forehead—those were new. My gaze tracked down to a black dress that hugged every delicious curve on her body, ending in, I can’t help but smile, white tennis shoes.

God. She was fucking gorgeous.

Every bit of her was a sight for sore eyes.

I stride to her with purpose, my body controlling every action before I can tell my brain it’s a bad idea.

I join the group that consists of my coach, my sister, my sister’s best friend Vic, and…the fucking most amazing woman I’ve ever met, Cassie.

“Hey Linc,” Mickey says, stepping into me with a tight hug. She was dressed up as well, wearing heels that put her closer to my six-foot-two frame and a white sundress.

“Sis,” I say, returning the hug and stepping back, holding out a hand for Tanner. “Coach.”

“Ellis.” He shakes my hand. I can tell he’s holding back comments. Our conversation last week did nothing to fix what I’d broken, and I can’t say that I don’t understand his concern.

I shrug my shoulders, turning back to my sister’s friends. One who’s watching me warily, the other who won’t look at me at all.

It fucking hurts.

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