Page 164 of Wild Blades

“Almost every night after school.” Didn’t need them though. Wanted them. There is a difference, but I don’t tell him that. Rubbing salt into wounds is not my style.

“Same.”

“Not quite so different after all.” Lola pipes up.

“I made assumptions about you, Wade. Caused you aggravation and grief as well as unnecessary pain.”

I look mybrotherup and down. “You were a bully.”

“I was. I was jealous of you. Everyone liked you from the start. While everyone thought I made the team because of who my dad is.”

That last comment hits hard. “They think the same about me now, too.”

“They don’t. Seven other NHL teams wanted you. Only two wanted me.”

“Stop caring about that shit, Zane. It’s all in the past. You’re an NHL player now. A goalie. An epic one at that and you’re messing up your career. Just stop being a dick and enjoy the ride.” Talking to him makes me realize that I miss hockey so much. I’m itching to get back onto the ice.

Four days. That’s what Lola’s given me.

“You should maybe listen to your own advice, brother.” Lola stares me down.

Zane leans forward and clasps his hands together on top of the table. “She’s right.”

Zane holds eye contact with me. “I’ve been seeing a counselor.”

“Me too.” I may as well confess. “Your dad?—”

“Our dad,” Zane interrupts.

“Marcus,” I correct. “Hired a support team to get me back on track. Amelia cheated on me, then Gretchen died. I’ve had a lot going on you don’t know about.”

“Is that what all the community publicity was about and hiring Kali?”

“And me.” Lola holds her hand up.

“Yeah. It’s changed my life.”

“I’m sorry you’ve had a tough time of it. I guess I didn’t help matters?”

“I broke your nose. I think we’re even.”

Zane rubs his nose as if phantom pain still lives on from the memory. “Kali did too.”

“She should have broken your dick.”

“It felt like she did when she kneed me in the balls.” His eyes flit away and then back to me. “I’m sorry for what I did to her that night at the hotel.”

“It’s not me you should be apologizing to.”

He fidgets with the salt cellar. “I went to see Kali after we left your house the other day.”

“And?”

How is she?

How did she look?

Did she ask about me?

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