Page 84 of Penalty Zone

“Sounded terrible yesterday. Told him not to come back until tomorrow. We’re hoping to have him play a period or two to rest Liska’s back, but it depends on the shape he’s in.”

My shoulder and neck muscles seize with tension as I skate over to Mason. “Caleb’s sick?”

“So he says,” Mason replies without looking at me.

“How did he seem last night?” I fail to keep the irritation out of my voice, and my fists clench.

“His door was shut. I’m not his keeper,” Mason’s voice rises, and the team listens in.

“I’m going to check on him,” I say out of courtesy more than permission to enter his apartment.

As I rush down the hall, I bump into Grayson coming out of the training room. “Hey, you, okay?” he asks.

In my rush, I don’t answer him, but he follows me.

“Leo?” He leans against a locker across from where I’m taking off my skates.

“I haven’t heard from Caleb, and I didn’t know he was sick.” The faster I try to go, the harder things get and it takes longer. Apparently, I’m bad at putting socks on.

“How sick is he? Do you need me to go with you?” Gray straightens up.

I hang my head and clasp my hands behind my neck. “Mason found out about us, and he could be upset or sick. But he stopped answering my texts yesterday.” My head aches. Our bright future is vanishing with incoming stormy black clouds and endless days of loneliness.

Gray sits next to me. “He’s probably fine. Our Benzy wants everyone to be happy, and I bet it’s killing him he upset Mason.”

I nod. He’s probably right.

“You have my cell, right? Text me if you’re concerned about him, and I can assess him over video. Sound good?” When I agree, he gives me a one-arm bro hug. “He’s sensitive but tough,” he assures me as he walks out.

The drive back to the city takes forever. I’ve aged ten years by the time I actually step into his room. It’s a mess. But the closet is mostly empty and so are the drawers.

He left.

I sit on his bed and text him.

Me: Baby Doll where are you?

Me: Are you okay?

The messages are still green, and I fucking google it.

He blocked me.

The man I love is missing and blocked me.

I want to burn down the city to find him. Call the police and check his credit card activity. With my fame, I might get away with it. But the cost to Caleb’s dignity would be too high. I have to trust him to take care of himself and honor his responsibilities.

The clothes on the floor seem to be a mixture of clean and dirty. I begin sorting through them, bringing the sweaty ones to my nose to inhale his scent. We can’t fix us if he’s not here, but Ican wait for Mason and try to explain to him. Just in case Mason knows more than he’s saying, I send a text.

Me: He’s not here. Do you know where he’d go?

Folding and making a pile of dirty clothes makes me feel useful. When that’s done, I grab a garbage bag and pick up food containers and protein wrappers. My man is a slob at home but picks up everything at my place.

An hour later, I get a text from Mason.

Mason: Not my problem

I’m furious with his uncaring attitude and leave so I’m not angry when I speak to him. That won’t fix anything.

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