Page 100 of Puck Lust

Jeremy digs through my pockets to grab the keys and helps me around to the driver’s side. I fall into the seat and stab the button to start the car.

Jeremy runs around to the passenger side and gets in. “Go,” he screams. “We have to get out of here.”

I swallow hard but my mouth is as dry as a camel’s ass.

I blink fast, my vision blurred. Numbness sets into my arm, creeping down my side. My head feels heavy and I just want to lean back against the seat and close my eyes.

“Coach, please. We have to go,” Jeremy sputters through his tears.

“Okay,” I say, putting the car in Drive. I slam my foot on the gas and speed down the street. “Where are we going?” I slur, my brain slowing to a crawl. My eyes droop and I struggle to keep them open as I make a turn down another street.

I have no idea where we are or where we’re going.

Pins and needles assault my legs, all sounds fizzling out to white noise. My right leg relaxes off the gas, my eyes falling closed again as I slump against the seat.

“Coach, watch out!”

I force my eyes open right as the car heads directly into a tree. I try to turn the steering wheel but have no ability to move. Tires squeal, metal crunches, Jeremy’s screams pierce the air.

This time when my eyes close, I let them.

And darkness swallows me whole.

THIRTY-SIX

carter

I slouch backagainst the wooden bench at The Penalty Box after the press conference, a deep sigh shuddering my chest. Droplets of condensation pebble the outside of the pilsner glass in front of me. I stare at the beads of water as they slip down the side, Jack’s words replaying in my mind.

I loved you, too.

Loved.

Past tense.

Because I fucked up so royally.

And how stupid was I for thinking that chasing him to the elevator in a desperate attempt to win him back would ever turn out in my favor?

“So, ah,” Masterson says, tapping his fingers on the side of his glass. “Can we talk about that video for a second?”

I raise my eyes to meet his, waiting.

“How long were you two, um, you know…together?” Tate asks.

“We weren’t ever together,” I say. “I made sure to fuck things up real good before that ever happened.”

“So you were just hooking up?” Masterson asks. Then heholds up his hands. “I’m sorry. Not trying to be a nosy asshole here, I’m just trying to understand how you guys went from hating each other to…” He shrugs. “You know.That.”

“I know things were pretty tense to start. We had a rocky history, yes. And that’s why Enver decided to throw us together. He wanted us to clear the air.”

Tate snickers. “Mission accomplished.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet he never saw this coming.” I force a smile and massage the stress knot on the back of my neck.

“Did you always know?” Tate asks, leaning forward, a curious expression on his face. “I mean, you were dating that blonde for a while. Did you ever think of guys that way, too?”

I shake my head. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I dated plenty of girls but ignored the fact that none of them ever really did it for me. And no, I never had a thing for any other guy. Jack’s the only one. Back in our junior hockey days, he kissed me but I freaked out because I didn’t know what it meant, and it kind of threw things into upheaval for me. It was the last time I saw him before coming to Oakland, and that history caused a lot of static between us. I convinced myself for years that he was just an arrogant prick rival, nothing more.” I rub the knot harder. “Until it became more. Way more.”

---