Page 26 of Wild Blades

“I won’t push it, Wade, but that offer is open should you wish to take me up on it.”

“Thank you.” But no fucking thanks. I’d rather chew on a nest of wasps than speak to her ever again.

Clearing his throat, he opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out, as if he’s trying to rewire his brain with the new information I’ve just shared with him about my mother.

Finally, he shakes his head, clears his throat, then says, “And Kali is doing a great job.” She is. Most recently, she had me running a training session with a peewee team, which might have been a photo opportunity for her, but for me, it was a fun night, and I laughed a lot. For little guys, they were feisty. Kali’s images and video footage she took were incredible and captured how passionate they were. They reminded me a lot of myself at that age and made me crave the enthusiasm they showed. I want that again.

Following my four-game ban for punching Zane, Kali encouraged me to actively participate in more post-game press conferences. I wasn’t allowed previously, but they are slowly beginning to trust me again, and Kali is keeping me on a short leash. I’m actually enjoying them despite having to restrain myself a few times when reporters asked inappropriate questions about my personal life. Mainly about my mother.

I’ve been media trained within an inch of my life by her team. It was more like a refresher as I’ve had media training in thepast, but I learned more this time around and enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

“How did the visit to the children’s hospital go?” Marcus asks, bringing my attention back to the room.

“Great, actually.” I feel myself smiling. “Sad, though.” Fucking heartbreaking.

Jordy, Zane, Spike, and I surprised a little girl called Alice, who is the biggest Eagles fan, and made a wish through a foundation to meet us.

Ten-years-old, and currently going through her second round of chemotherapy, Alice was smart and funny, sassy; too sassy for a young girl. She might have thought we were there to brighten her day, when, in fact, she brightened ours and had us roaring with laughter. Something I thought I’d forgotten how to do. Also, not something I would ever do with Zane.

As we left the hospital, Kali broke down in tears. “Life is so unfair.” She sobbed into my shoulder while I consoled her until I finally managed to bundle her into my car. She cried the entire way back to her office. I was tempted to hold her hand to comfort her, but I’m unsure how well that would have been received. I only left her after she had time to collect herself. Even then I didn’t want to leave.

She’s even beautiful when she cries.Which, I thought, was a weird thing for me to notice at the time. But I did, and that’s that. I wish I could have kissed every tear away and made her feel better.

Later that night, she texted me to apologize for being unprofessional and thanked me for driving her back to her office. I replied, telling her there was no need, and it was normal to feel how she did.

But Kali was right.Life is so unfair.

Gretchen dying was unfair.

Alice made me realize I haven’t been living my life. I’ve just been floating around in a daze. So, every morning since I met her, I’ve been listing all the things I am grateful for in a journal. Including my health.

She also made me realize everyone has problems, much bigger than mine, but it’s how we deal with them that matters.

I’m determined to get my life back on course.

Marcus sits back in his black leather chair and taps his fingertips against the armrests. “I did a good thing to help you, right? You’re not still mad at me?”

I shake my head. “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself.”

“For?”

“For forcing your hand to assemble a support team for me.” If he hadn’t, I don’t know where I would end up. “Thank you.” The words get stuck in my throat. “I will make it up to you.”

“Best behavior, show up, do the work, train hard, play well, and score goals, son. That’s all I’m asking.”

“No pressure.” I chuckle.

Across from me, Marcus runs his pointer finger across his bottom lip. “Tell me, Collins, what’s your endgame?”

“I want to be captain of the team, sir.” With a clear head, it feels good to remember what my ultimate dream goal has always been but was in too much of a mess to consider it, so pushed it to the back of my mind.

With Zane around, I know that will never happen. Being heir to the team, by default, Daddy will crown him captain and I’ll be forced to stand by and watch. But a man can dream.

“Do you think you’ve got what it takes?” He lifts his chin in challenge.

“I do.”

“As do I. But don’t keep any more secrets from me. Learning of Gretchen’s passing, that should have come directly from you and not...” He stops himself and runs his hands through hissilver hair. “I bumped into your mother at a charity event. She told me then.” He confirms my suspicions. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to look at her in the same way, having just learned what you told me about her and her treatment of you.”

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