Page 52 of Wanting the Winger

Eric: I just found out about you and Lainey when my receptionist showed me a video of you singing to her.WTF.

I stop, blowing out a breath.

Bash: I’m shooting my shot.I love you, but I don’t care if you approve.

Eric: Fine.But if you hurt her, I’ll hurt you.Clear?

Bash: Clear.You and Callie can come to the prom I’m having for Lainey if you want.

Eric: Sounds like a cheese fest...

Bash: Okay, granddad.Stay home and count your nose hairs.

Eric: Fuck you.Send me the details and I’ll check with Cal.

Bash: I will.gtg it’s game day.

Eric: Try this time, ok?That last game was a joke.

Bash: yep

I quickly type out the date, location and time of the prom, then resume walking.Eric’s comment about the last game is in my head now.That means I have to return to visualizing.This is why I don’t like any distractions on game days.

It’s hard to get my head into the right place for a game.It takes time, concentration, and effort to minimize distractions.And it can all be undone in a matter of seconds.

Not that he’s wrong.But that game is in the past, and I’m focused on today.

Any player who doesn’t get how much of this game is mental isn’t going to make it.The physical stuff is somewhat out of our control, like with aging and injuries.But the mental part is what you really have to master if you want to play this game long term.

I have to do my part tonight—for my line and for my team.

“Let me see,”our team trainer Melina says with an edge.“Stop moving.”

“Just glue it shut so I can get back out there.”

I took a high stick hit to my face and I’m bleeding.But it’s the third period and when Melina dragged me back to the locker room, we were only up by one goal.It’s 3–2, and I’ve scored two of our goals.I want a hat trick, even though it’s only the preseason.

Melina pours water on my brow, dabs at the cut with gauze, and hisses through her teeth.“Yeah, that’s deep.You want to stitch it now?”

We just got a new team doctor.Her name’s Caroline and she’s too slow and cautious for my liking.

“Just glue it and get me back out there!”I bark before Caroline can answer.

“Easy, cowboy.”That’s Caroline.“I have to stitch this one.”

I groan, frustrated.“Can you not spend an hour talking about it?I don’t need anesthetic.Just get it done.”

I’m lying on an exam table, and she looks down at me, her smile unbothered.“You’re done with this game, Sebastian.I have to trim your eyebrow before I can stitch.”

“What the fuck?”

“We can’t have hair in the wound.”

“Great,” I bark.“How short?Will it be obvious?”

“Yes.This is a deep laceration.And I can’t let the hair I cut get into the wound, either.I might need to shave it.”

Melina slides her lips into her teeth, fighting a smile.

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