Page 25 of Facing the Line

My heart cracks in my chest at her words. I want to wrap my arms around her and hold her, stroke her hair and tell her everything will be okay. Anything to stop the panic that is flowing out from her. She continues talking so fast she’s stumbling over what she’s saying.

“I need to get an Uber, head to the hospital.” She waves her phone, showing the ride sharing service.

But I put my hand over hers on the screen. “Hey, I’ll take you.”

She bites her lip. “You don’t have to do that. I know you need to be here.”

“But you shouldn’t have to sit in the hospital by yourself. I’ll drive.”

I turn to Evan, and he claps me on the shoulder. His gaze, usually full of jokes and laughter, is serious. “Text me, okay? And stay safe.”

He glances at Hadley, and I’m pretty sure he knows more is going on beneath the surface. But he doesn’t bring it up, only says, “Go. I’ll cover with Coach.”

“Thanks, Ev.” Turning away from him, I’m already loosening my tie and following Hadley. She’s practically running, but I catch her and grab her hand. “Wait. Can I change first?”

Hesitating, she looks me up and down, and I add, “I promise I’ll be fast. But I’d like to get out of this suit, if possible.”

“Okay, but be quick.”

Leaving her outside the locker room, I hustle and throw on my street clothes—a pair of gray sweatpants and a Harrison hockey hoodie. The arena is across the road from Hockey Hall, where my Jeep is parked. So in less than five minutes, we’re in my car and on the way to the hospital.

Hadley radiates nervous energy, and I wish there was something more I could do to help.

As if she can hear my thoughts, Hadley gazes over at me. “Thanks for this. I felt so powerless.” She sniffles. “At least this way, we’re doing something.”

I don’t want to overstep, but I reach out and grab her fingers. “I understand. Watching Hunter go down on the ice, knowing there was nothing I could do to help—” My voice breaks and I stop and clear my throat. “I hate that feeling.”

Hadley squeezes my palm, then drops my hand like the contact burned her.

“I’m dating someone,” she says, words tumbling out in a rush. “I mean, it’s not serious. I’m not even sure we’re exclusive. It’s not a big deal. But—I wouldn’t want you to think—to get the wrong idea?—”

“You made it clear where things stand between us,” I cut her off, my voice more gruff than I intended. “And I’d do this for any friend in need.”

The pinched cast to her features relaxes slightly, and her chest rises and falls in a deep breath. Her revelation stings, but I mean what I say.

Something occurs to me, and this probably makes me a jerk, but I ask anyway. “Hadley, no offense but… where’s this guy? Why isn’t he here with you?”

Instead of getting upset, she sighs and pleats her fingers in the hem of her jersey. “I didn’t invite him tonight.”

“Oh.” What is there to say to that? “Um, why not?”

“Like I said, it’s not serious between us. I didn’t think it was worth it to introduce him to my dad and Hunter. They don’t know I’m dating someone, and they automatically won’t approve. Why bother with it, when he’s not sticking around?”

She’s sharing freely, so I push it a little. “Why won’t he stick around?”

Is it because he’s not into her? Or intimidated by her family? Because he definitely doesn’t sound good enough for her, and?—

“Because I’m going to break up with him. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.” She swallows. “It’s not working out.”

I’m hit with a mix of feelings—pity for this guy, because losing Hadley would suck. Jealousy he’s with her, even briefly, despite that I learned about it seconds ago. And weird elation for me, because it’s ending. Which is dumb, because it’s not like I have a chance.

“I’m sorry,” I tell her, pulling into the hospital parking lot.

Hadley shrugs. “It’s not a big deal.”

I want to get the full story but now is probably not the time. After getting out of the car, I follow her through the automatic doors into the hospital lobby.

The receptionist behind the desk is an older lady with gray hair and a green cardigan wrapped around her pump body. Her nametag reads “Ethel.” She gives Hadley and me a warm smile and adjusts her glasses. “How may I help you?”

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