Page 10 of One Shot

“Well, that’s a relief. Because Suz and some of the guys are coming this way.” Liam says, beckoning to someone behind me.

Oh, great. Here we go.

Bren stands up and is hugging Barbie like a best friend she hasn’t seen in ages. Lovely, so we like Barbie? I was really hoping we wouldn’t interact much with her. She seems so—before I even finish my train of thought, Bren is bringing her over to me.

“Laur, this is Suz, PR extraordinaire.” Now that she’s up close, I recognize her from the video with Bren announcing my surprise acceptance. She is even more flawless in person. How absurd is that?

“Suz got us so much exposure inUSA Hockey Magazinelast year in the ‘Big On Campus’ section. She’s the co-lead for the Wyverns’ marketing team with me this year. She happens to have already lined up a job in Seattle’s hockey scene after graduation this year!” Bren squeals the last part. Shit, Barbie is impressive . . . I can see why Bren likes her.

“Suz, this is Lauren Bellinger—” Suz cuts her off. “Hi, Lauren, nice to finally meet you.” She holds out a hand for me to shake. Stealing a glance at Bren reveals she is rolling her eyes at the formality, but I politely reach out to accept her handshake.

“I have a jobofferin Seattle. I haven’t accepted it yet. Bren stop spreading rumors.” She winks at Bren.

“Oh, and speaking of gossip,” she continues, turning to face Bren fully. “Don’t let me forget to tell you about my date earlier tonight. I need to decide if I should go on a second one.”

Barbie isn’t dating any of the players? That’s surprising.

Then I see him. Fuck, just like Barbie, he’s even more attractive up close. Shit. Why does he have to look like an Abercrombie ad? I bethe even has the perfectly chiseled V with his shirt off. He’s already looking at me when my eyes meet his. My heartbeat quickens and an ache of longing starts to take over as I try with every fiber of my being not to bite my lip thinking about him shirtless.

“Lauren. These are some of the guys,” Suz starts. She rattles off some of the guys’ names, their year, and their positions.

I smile and nod politely, but I’m barely paying attention until she says, “Our gorgeous captain Lucas Donato! Lucas, this is Lauren. She’s a junior just like you. And Lauren, I’m sure you’ve heard that Lucas is only the second player in Wyverns’ history to make captain as Junior.” She stops talking, making the realization that he is second only, because my brother was first. Nick would have had to know who this gorgeous off-limits man is. Did they get along? Were they friends?

They are all staring at me. I down the last of my beer in one gulp. I look at him again, Lucas. He has one eyebrow raised, looking at me post beer chug.

“Laur. Not Lauren,” I quickly snap back.

I’m about to start to say that Nick was my brother, but someone cuts me off. Really? This team can’t be filled with douchebags! If it is, I will not make it through this season. I turn around to see a familiar face.

“Laur, we are lucky to have you. Bud Light, right? Cheers!” The guy that cut me off hands me a fresh pint glass and clinks his glass to mine.

My entire face lights up. “Ty-Ty!” I screech, sounding like a basic woo-girl for the second time in one night. I jump on him, wrapping my arms around him like a long lost relative I haven’t seen in years while spilling a little bit.

A sense of familiarity and home rushes over me. I’ve known Tyler since we were both eight and Nick was nine. I’ve chased him around hotels, ice rinks, parking lots, you name it. Nick and Tyler played hockey together a lot as kids. Tyler was like family for a long time. He still is. Having him here is going to make West feel more like a safe space for me —more like home.

“I’ve missed you too, Chip.” Tyler chuckles, wiping the spilled beer off his arm.

I can’t believe I forgot Ty is on the team. How could I forget?! How could it have slipped my mind? Did I know? There’s no way. Tyler must read my furrowed brow and scrunched lips as confusion

“I transferred last season to play. Nick and I were going to surprise you after the first game but . . .” he trails off not wanting to bring up the accident. “Anyways, then Bren told me the news about you coming here, and I wanted to wait to see you in person . . .” He trails off again and pulls me in for another hug, embracing me as if he is trying to keep me from slipping away too.

I should have remembered him playing that first game with Nick as captain. I must have blocked it out or maybe he didn’t play that game. I don’t ask questions. I don’t want to think more about that day but seeing Tyler Barret has made my night even better.

“I . . . yeah . . . I had no idea, but I should have made the connection, should have realized.” I start to defend myself.

Tyler responds, “It’s no big deal. You know now! It’s so good to see you.”

Tyler gestures to a table. “Want to go catch up? You’ll be with the guys all the time soon enough. Want to go talk over there and then I’ll walk you home?”

I pull Tyler into another hug; it’s so great to see him, “Yes, I would love that.” Frostburg, Michigan is starting to chip away at the protective shield I’ve hid behind the last year.

I turn to my cousin and give her a wave. “I’ll text you when I get home, Bren. Nice to meet you all.”

It’ll be nice to talk to someone who knows who I used to be. I’m cautiously optimistic that just being around people like Tyler, Bren, and Liam might ease my depression and help me to find the little sparks of light I’ve been missing, craving.

I grab Tyler’s hand again and start to walk away from the group that’s now gathered around the pool table. I feel eyes on me.

Looking back, I see Lucas Donato staring at us, a perplexed look on his face. His eyes briefly meet mine and his expression changes. That yearning for him begins to bloom in me again, wanting to flourish and take root in every inch of my mind and body. That deep ache for him and his eyes—those beautiful brown eyes that inexplicably feel so familiar, like I could find pieces of my old self in them too.

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