Page 86 of Penalty Zone

“You okay in here?” Jayce McKenna, the Director of Player Development, leans on the door frame.

“Fine. I had to make a call,” I lie and wave my phone. “Thanks for checking.”

“No problem. I’m here to check in with Benz and saw you stewing.”

“Benz? What’s going on?” I’d run, but I don’t know where he is.

“Grayson called Doc to give him IV fluids since he’s been sick. My job description includes things I’m not qualified to assess, but I’ll ask him if he’s eating enough calories to play.” Jayce shrugs.

“Which training room?” I respectfully refrain from grabbing his suit by the lapels and shaking him.

“Room two. I’m…”

I don’t wait for him to continue, shooting toward Caleb at a dead run.

“Caleb,” I shout, bursting into the training room. His eyes are closed, and there are dark circles under them.

“He’s fine.” Gray catches my arm and steers me out.

“I need—”

Gray faces me with a sorrowful expression that stops my heart. “He asked me not to let anyone in.” He cringes.

My back hits the wall, and my heart cracks wide open; my hand flies to my chest as if it can stop the damage. “But he’s fine?” The clarification of his well-being helps deter my total annihilation.

Jayce walks up behind us.

“Doc’s been here and cleared him to play. Says he needs to eat something and get fluids. Other than that, he’s good to go.”

“Okay.” I straighten my suit jacket and tie to regain my composure. “Okay. I’ll see him on the ice.”

Jayce squeezes my shoulder with a sympathetic look as I turn to walk away. For all the times I called Caleb out for not having a poker face, now I’m the one giving away my feelings for him.

To respect his wishes, I keep my distance. Mason’s smug when he notices the tension.

I used to have a blank face. A mask I wore in public to hide all my emotions. As a goalie, you can’t let your opponent think they can get in your head. The media spotlight separates those who can control their emotions and who can’t.

Decades of practice and training to shut down my feelings have vanished at the thought of losing Caleb. Coach asks me if I’m okay, and even Liska punches my shoulder to cheer me up.

Caleb gets in goal, and after failing to save a few shots, it’s obvious he doesn’t have his game face on. I can’t fix us, but I know how to get him in game mode.

“I’m going to help him track,” I tell Coach, holding up a water bottle.

The ice is slick and super smooth before a game. My dress shoes slide across it, and it’s another day at the office.

“Hold up.” I raise my hand so the players stop shooting on goal. I’m not worried since it’s not uncommon for a coach to confer with a goalie before the game.

My eyes are fixed on Caleb, and it’s as if time slows down. He sees me with resignation on his face, then his eyes go impossibly wide as he reaches for me and screams, “Leo.”

Everything goes black.

Chapter 38

Caleb

As Leo approaches, I’m ready to fall at his feet and beg forgiveness. I hate myself for not being strong enough to let him repair his relationship with Mason. After tons of soul-searching, I have to face the facts. My love for Leo is worth the risk of losing Mason. Hopefully, I won’t have to choose.

Losing Mason will damage my heart, but losing Leo will decimate it.

---