Page 72 of The Sweetest Risk

I sitdown on the bench in front of my equipment. I take my shoes off and pull my shirt over my head.

To my surprise, Bradley comes and sits next to me, already dressed for warm-ups. “Hey man, how are you doing?”

Bradley is talking to me now?He hasn’t spoken a word to me, outside of our normal communication on the ice, since the playoff party. “I’m fine.”

“Yeah, say that to your face. I can see how intense your jaw is clenched through your beard. You look like hell. You, my friend, are not fine.”

I shake my head and strap my protective gear on my shins. I guess this is my opening to talk to Bradley about what happened, now that things have settled down and it doesn’t look like he wants to pummel me. “Look, man, I am so sorry about Brooke and the bet. Almost right after I made the bet with Hastings,I wanted to take it back. He just wouldn’t let up. Please know that I tried to break it off. Things just spiraled out of my control because I was too cocky about attaining the captain’s spot. And too cocky that Brooke would never break her rule.”

I glance over at him. He is still looking down, tying his laces on his skates, but I can tell he’s listening.

So I continue. “I promise that I never wanted to hurt Brooke. She means so much to me. I know that I fucked that all up and don’t have a chance with her again. I also care about you, man. You’re my best friend, Bradley.”

Bradley slightly nods and finally makes eye contact with me. “So you tried to call off the bet before I found out?”

Some relief infiltrates my chest and the large pit in my stomach doesn’t feel so big anymore. “Yeah, multiple times. And I honestly thought that at some point he gave up on the whole idea because he wasn’t saying anything to Brooke or to you. But I was clearly wrong.”

“You could have told me, you know. About the bet.” He pauses. “And about Brooke. I just thought we were closer than that. We tell each other everything, bro.”

“I know. I got scared. You, Brooke, your whole family mean a lot to me and I didn’t want the dynamics to change. And I knew you would be pissed off about the bet and the notion of me dating your little sister.”

“Well, yeah. But, still. You should have told me.”

“You’re right. I should have. And I don’t even care about the captain’s spot. I know what matters to me more than any leadership role. That’s what I just told Coach. I’d give it up to have you back in my life again. To have Brooke back in my life again.”

Bradley nods, grabs my shoulders, and looks at me dead in the eyes. “You are an idiot if you think you are giving up that spot, bro. You deserve it. Hastings doesn’t deserve shit. You arethe face of this organization… andalmostas good a player as me.”

We both chuckle. Then he pulls me in for a hug.

“Thanks man,” I utter.

I get black tape from the top shelf of my locker and start taping my stick with it.

Bradley bumps into me again. “Hey, I don’t think I have outwardly said this but you know that I forgive you, right? For the whole Brooke thing.”

Jagielski and Oakley walk over to us. “And what are we discussing over here? How much you screwed up with Brooke?” Oakley says as he tries to sit next to me in all of his massive goalie gear.

I shoot him a look. To be fair, things did blow up in front of everyone at the playoffs party.

Bradley pipes in, “Yeah, basically. But you know what, bro?” He turns to me. “I know that Brooke is back to hating you, but I can tell my sister misses you. She is extra mopey, and she is baking nonstop – not just for her side gigs. You know my sister, she bakes like this when she is angry or sad. It’s kind of like her therapy. I think she is still in love with you.” Then he rolls his eyes and says, “God only knows why. I mean, personally, I don’t see the appeal.”

I laugh. “God, you are such a dick, bro.”

“So what’s the plan?” Bradley says.

“What plan? Like for the game?” I knot up my laces.

Bradley, Jagielski and Oakley look at each other like they all share a secret I am not privy to. Jagielski says, “Dude, the plan to get Brooke back.”

“Yeah, it’s time,” Oakley adds.

“Time for what? Guys, did you not hear Beckett? Brooke hates me. There is not going to be a plan. My only plan is to godestroy Colorado out there so we can make it to the finals.” I get up and start walking toward the locker room door.

Oakley steps in front of me and doesn’t let me pass.

“Oakley, what the hell are you doing? I need to go warm up man, we all do!”

“Just sit your ass back down, lover boy.” He pushes me onto the bench.

---