Page 81 of Hockey 101

I chuckle. Jack is like the anti-Bryce—bringing sweetness and joy. He pulls the afghan over me, but the warmth I feel is all due to his attention.

Anything else I can do for you? he asks.

No, I’m okay.

The bed sags as he climbs in beside me. He cradles me in his arms. A wave of powerful emotion washes over me—how much I feel for Jack.

I’m sure he’s just comforting me, but I check anyway. I’m not up for anything tonight.

I know. I just want to hold you until you fall asleep.

You’re sweet, I murmur. I want to say more, but it doesn’t feel like the right time. I’m too wrung out. When we tell each other how we feel, it should be a perfect moment. I close my eyes and let my emotional exhaustion take over.

21

HER SHINING KNIGHT

JACK

I TAKE A last look at Andy as she sleeps. She’s so brave, and she’s worked so hard these past months. She doesn’t deserve all this shit. As I close the door, her beautiful face is the last thing I see.

Then I make my way home through a light snowfall. As the snow crunches underfoot, I wish I was stomping on her stupid ex. Why can’t he leave her alone? Leave us alone? People break up. Take it like a fucking man and move on.

At home, I eat dinner and vent to Mats. Then I go up to my room to study, but I can’t focus. This whole situation is so infuriating. Andy is the best sports editor the Messenger has ever had. Now, it’s all being taken from her out of spite.

I slam my textbook shut, grab my coat, and head to Mats’s room. He’s working on his laptop on his bed.

Come with me to the newspaper office, I plead.

He looks up. Sorry, what?

I’ve got an idea. I’m going to get a bunch of guys from the team to talk to Bryce. We can explain what a good job she’s doing and how much we all like the hockey coverage. He’ll have to give her her job back.

Mats shakes his head. From what you’ve told me, Bryce knows exactly how good Andy is. He’s just being a vindictive asshole. He pauses, then adds, And all of us going in—especially you—only highlights the fact that she has a special relationship with the team.

What are you talking about? You don’t actually think it’s a conflict of interest, do you? I demand.

No, I don’t, but nobody on the team gave a fuck about last year’s sports editor. If he got fired, we wouldn’t have done anything.

I exhale, trying to ease the powerlessness I’ve felt ever since Andy’s first tear. I…I can’t just sit around while Andy’s miserable. What Bryce is doing isn’t right. Isn’t talking to him worth a try?

Mats sighs and closes his laptop. Okay, I’ll come with you. But just the two of us.

We head out and trudge through the snow, which is falling faster now. It feels good to be actually doing something instead of sitting around and stressing.

It’s fucking cold, complains Mats. He’s got his jacket collar pulled up and his toque pulled down.

I smile. West coast wimp. Just wait until January.

When we get to the building that houses the Messenger office, Mats stops and grabs my arm.

Sinc, you have to keep your cool in there, okay? No threats, and no violence.

I shake my head. You know I’m not like that. Coach is always telling me not to be so nice out there.

Yeah, but you’re pretty protective when it comes to Andy. And I don’t want you getting suspended or anything.

I nod, and we make our way upstairs. Even though it’s after 8:00 PM, there are still people in the newspaper office. Andy said that she used to spend hours here. I walk straight over to Bryce with Mats trailing behind me.

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