Page 39 of Game Changer

“Lies. You shit your pants. This whole thing terrifies you. Britt. Lisa. Immigration. Rightfully so. But don’t hide that shit behind Chris’ drama.”

I hate it when he’s right.

They made their way onto the ice and AJ’s legs burned with each step. He’d gone for a run again this morning to try to clear his head.

How’d that work out for ya?

Stepping onto the ice for fun, or for training, was a very different experience to stepping onto the ice for a game. On game night, there was a definite sense of gearing up for battle. Lately, however, he felt like everything needed to be geared up for. He felt as though he was in a constant state of battle-readiness.

He couldn’t remember the last time he felt relaxed.

Except in her arms.

He was nervous about their date, not really because of Britt anymore, though part of him remained irrationally convinced that ICE was going to show up, haul Britt back to Canada and dump him in jail.

She’s far too ‘rich white girl’ for that.

Just as going for a walk can help center some people, for many hockey players, skating has a similar effect. In the cold, dark and enclosed safe-space away from the rest of the world, it was easy to slip into a different mindset, a more meditative headspace.

AJ had always preferred overnight ice, the kind of ice that the Zamboni leaves perfectly fresh to dry all night. The ice is crisper, so pucks slide flatter, and the snow that forms just isn’t as slushy.

Pretty perfect.

AJ couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t on the ice. He loved the freedom he felt when he laced up his skates and took comfort in the consistency of skating. Each practice and game were different, but the skating was always the same.

“AJ, your nips are showing!” Jeremy taunted as he skated past, jolting AJ out of his thoughts.

“What?” AJ answered, confused.

“Dude. Your nips are showing.”

“You can’t possibly see them through all of this!” he gestured to his training gear.

“Yeah, well. I mean, fresh ice can definitely make your nipples hard and any hockey player who says otherwise is a liar.”

“What the fuck are we talking about right now? Did I hit my head? Am I concussed?”

“It’s possible. You’re clearly on a different planet right now. You’re definitely not at practice with the rest of us.”

“And you figured the best way to bring me back to earth was to talk about… my nipples?”

“I’m not responsible for my artistic genius.”

“I am so goddamn confused right now.”

“You’ve changed, Pim. Marriage and adultery have changed you. You used to think my randomness was adorable,” Jeremy teased as he skated away. “You used to love me, man. Now it’s all about these women!”

“You used to not be an asshole. I guess we’ve both changed.”

“Ouch. Touché!”

***

“What time are you picking her up?” Jeremy asked as he threw his bag over his shoulder and followed AJ out of the locker room.

“Later.”

“You’re pissed at me? For the joke about the women?”

---