Page 89 of Voices

The guys stand up and cheer, hyping each other up. A few guys do a last-minute ritual before we grab our sticks and head back onto the ice.

I look at the seats again but there’s still no Charlie.

I shake out my arms and clear his absence from my head.

Focus.

I line up for the national anthem and then get set up for face-off.

I’m off my game for the first time in a long time and the guys are noticing. I miss a few passes, ice the puck when I could have easily cleared it, and get checked in the boards and lose the puck resulting in a goal for the other team. And it’s only the end of the first period.

With my head low, I sit on the bench in the locker room and go over every mistake I made. I’m playing like I’ve never been on the ice before. I can’t keep making stupid mistakes. Luckily, they only scored one goal.

Ryder sits next to me and bumps his knee into mine. “What’s going on?” I don’t answer him as I rake my fingers through my sweaty hair. “Does it have anything to do with an empty seat behind our bench?”

I look over at him surprised he even noticed. He’s usually more focused than I am during games.

“It might.” I look down at my hands so he can’t see anything my face might give away.

“I’ve never had anyone show up to my games besides a few guys from class. But I know Charlie wouldn’t miss a game. He might not talk much but I see the way he looks at you. That boy would do anything to be with you.” His shoulder pads bump mine, so I pick my head up and look over at him. “I’m sure he wanted to be here but had something come up last minute. I’ve seen his artwork. Maybe he got sidetracked creating a masterpiece and lost track of time.”

I shake my head but then stop. Maybe he did and didn’t want me to know. It’s happened before. I had to get Lily to open the door because he wouldn’t answer my phone calls but then we found him sitting on the floor, covered in paint.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. It’s just throwing me off because I spent all morning with him, and he was excited tocome tonight. But if he found a new inspiration, there really is no stopping him from creating it.”

I blow out a slow breath and convince myself that’s why he’s not here. Besides, Lily didn’t seem concerned once she heard back from him.

I give Ryder a nod and stand up to follow the guys back to the ice.

“You got this Cap!” He slaps my shoulder pad as he walks past me.

I have a better second period and get an assist on Benji’s goal. By the time there’s one minute left in the game, we’re tied two to two.

I’m battling behind our net with two guys for control of the puck. I knock it loose behind me and watch as Asher flies toward center ice like his skates are on fire. He crosses the blue line and one-times the puck as the rest of us catch up. It bounces off the goalie’s pad and redirects to Matt’s blade. He taps it in before the goalie slides over, scoring a goal with fifteen seconds left in the game. We all cheer and jump on Matt celebrating his goal.

I won’t be scoring a goal tonight as I come off for the last line change of the game. The puck drops and we play keep away until the final horn sounds. Dropkick Murphys blasts through the speakers as everyone in the crowd jumps up and cheers for our win.

I look at Charlie’s seat one last time as I stand by the tunnel and fist-bump the guys as they head to the locker room. I celebrate the win with the team as we shower, change, and get ready to head home.

That is until Franklin Alexander walks into the locker room.

“Good evening, gentleman. That was a great win and an even better goal by Benjamin. I’d like to invite everyone,” he looks around the room and stops when he gets to me, “everyone to dine with me at Lex Tower. Tonight.” He’s still looking at me ashe talks. “I would like to talk to you about your skillset and how I can assist in making them better.” He looks back over the guys. “If everyone would finish getting dressed, I have limos waiting outside.” He turns and walks out with Benji on his tail and a few others following.

“What the fuck was that about,” Ryder asks as he finishes getting dressed.

“I have no idea. I also have no intention of going to dinner with him. He doesn’t know a damn thing about my skills and I sure as hell don’t need any help from him.”

I make sure all my hockey shit is where it needs to be, sling my bag over my shoulder, and give Ryder a two-finger salute as I head for the door.

I head for the parking garage but I can see the guys climbing into the limos. I spin around on my heel and head in the opposite direction.

I guess I’m walking to Charlie’s. As I push the door open, I’m slapped in the face by a frigid breeze.

When did it get so cold?

I pull my hood up and quickly walk towards Charlie’s building. It’ll take me ten minutes to walk around the stadium so I can take the sidewalk. I get to the front of the building right as the first limo drives past.

Shit.

---