Page 124 of The Puckable Playbook

“I was so excited after we won the game, and I went out even after she told me all the things that were bothering her. I let her go back to the apartment by herself. I was mad.”

“Mad?”

“I didn’t understand it at the time, and dammit, I felt like it was unfair of her to bring all that up after we’d had such a great game. Literally, the best thing that could’ve happened to us in the history of Warner, and she wanted to get mad at me.”

“So, you were on cloud nine and you didn’t give her props for helping you get there?”

“She didn’t just help.” I kick at something invisible on the gym mats. “I think she did the whole damn thing. We would’ve stayed cruising along in mediocrity. Not even Coach did what she did.

“She’s amazing, Adam. I’ve only been seeing her for a few months, and she’s already done more for me than anyone else. With her, I actually feel like I could play in the minors and then the league. She sees something and does it. It’s a fucking talent. No wonder she was mad. I just let things happen to me, and Iwas excited to celebrate with people who didn’t even help me get there.”

The air around us intensifies until it’s stifling. Sweat dots my temples, and I peer around to see if there’s a reason why it’s so damn humid in here, or if this is my body’s reaction to me fucking things up with Len.

“Maybe I’m not the person she thinks I am.”

“Timeout.” Adam moves his palms into a T position. “Let’s not play the woe-is-me card because it sounds like that’s why Len is upset, along with the fact that you haven’t appreciated her. I’m not going to comment on what you should’ve done or hammer the nail down that you messed up, but do you want to save this?”

“Of course I fucking do.”

“Then you need to fight for her. It’s what she’d do.”

I give him a strange look.

“Listen, you got everything you wanted, right? People came to the game. If you’re anything like me, people have been coming up to you on campus. They joke about wanting an autograph, and they promise they’re going to be there next week, and you might have even had some girls ask you to their rooms. Unless that’s only because I’m better looking than you.” He beams at me. “Those people? That recognition you wanted? Faceless. Nameless. They’re good for a short thrill, but there’s nothing like the way I saw Len look at you.”

I glare at him, and he lifts his hands into the “don’t kill the messenger” position.

“I’m just saying, the way she looked at you at Bubbles? I could tell there was no way that other news geek would last. She was a goner for you. If I saw her now, I’d probably see the same. She’s waiting for you to step up. Man, what I wouldn’t give to have someone fight at my side like that, and it sounds like she wants the same from you, along with some appreciation.”

“What if I’m too late? You don’t understand the way things are right now. She’s retreating, I can feel it.”

“Give her what she wants and see what happens. Don’t stand idly by.”

His words hit me like a Mack truck. She said something similar. I’ve been letting her move further and further away, lamenting that I messed up. I should’ve been fighting for her the entire time.

“I should do something big.”

He stands, hitting me on the shoulder. “You should.”

My mind starts whirring. I can’t only tell her I’m sorry and that I’ll do better. Those are mere words. As Adam said, I haven’t shown her anything. I haven’t proven to her that I mean it.

“But what should I do?”

He chuckles. “You realize I don’t have a girlfriend, right?”

“Why am I listening to you, then?”

“I’ve been wondering that this whole time.”

His snarky grin makes me shake my head. I have to show her what she means to me and support her, all while managing my hockey emotions. Prove to her that I can be the man she thinks I am. In doing so, I might actually become that man.

Now, if a half-decent idea fell into my lap, I’d be happy.

I stand, encouraged that I have a way forward. I don’t know why it took me so long to figure it out. I don’t play hockey this way. I don’t wait for the puck to come to me like it’s a gift, I go out there and get it.

I’m going to go out there and get Len. No matter what.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

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