Page 58 of One Shot

We’re on the bus ride back from a two-game series on the road. The team is still hot on a winning streak with one game going into overtime. I can’t blame the girls for saying these games were too far to travel for, but I miss Laur.

Every time I see her, my stomach churns. I hate it. It’s been almost a week since I found out about her date. The thought of it makes me feel queasy. It’s not a great feeling, but it’s especially awful on an almost nine-hour bus ride where I’m left alone with my thoughts. I need to ask her about her date eventually. She’s been wrapped up in her articles, and I’ve been so busy with hockey, but I’ve just been using that as an excuse.

The team has a home game in a few days. When I see her at the game, I’m going to be in my head wondering how her date went or thinking about her with another guy. I can’t let her distract me too much - we are having an amazing season so far. If we keep playing like we have been, I have no doubt we will make it to the semifinals.

My mind swirls with thoughts of Laur and her date, but I’m starting to doze off from the rhythmic motion of the bus. Suddenly I’m in what looks like the Wyverns’ stadium, but it’s decorated to the nines. The stands are filled, and it seems like there are millions of people all dressed up. Violins start to play—that’s odd for a game.

The most beautiful hockey angel fills my vision. Laur is wearing an all-white jersey that seems to sparkle. It hangs well past her knees. She walks past me and smiles. With her back to me, I see the word “BRIDE” in place of a last name on the jersey. She starts walking tothe opposite side of the ice down a rolled out white carpet. I try to move to get to her, but I’m stuck. It’s like my feet are frozen to the ice. She keeps walking farther and farther away from me. I say her name, but no sound comes out.

At the other end of the ice, I glimpse a figure. Looking up at the jumbotron, I see it’s a guy dressed in a white coat like a doctor. It hits me: this is a wedding, HER wedding. Laur is going to marry the doctor right here, right now. This time, I scream her name.

Still, no sound comes out of my mouth. She’s now at the other end of the ice. I’m screaming her name and saying “please no” over and over. I can finally hear my own voice, but it seems like no one else can hear me. The violin music stops, and everyone in the stands starts to cheer.

Tears of panic and frustration roll down my cheeks as I try with every fiber of muscle to move my body and put a stop to this wedding. A priest joins Laur and the doctor at the other side of the ice. His voice comes over the loudspeaker, and he starts the nuptials. The echo of “I do” from a male voice fills the arena.

This can’t be happening. She isn’t supposed to be with him. She’s supposed to be with me. Sweat mixes with tears on my face as I keep trying to move with all my might. Finally, I’m free of the invisible force that was holding me back. I’m sprinting down the ice. falling all over the place. I need to get to her before she says I do. I start to scream “I object.” I don’t hear her say I do on the loudspeakers, but she is leaning in to kiss him.

“NO!”

“Hey, Luc, are you okay?” a voice says from next to me.Finally, someone hears my pleas.

I startle awake. My face is covered in sweat, and my eyes are watery. My heart is beating a million miles a minute. A hand rests on my shoulder, grounding me.

“Just breathe, you’re good, Luc.”

It’s Tyler’s voice. I rub my eyes and my face with my hands. Tyler’s across the aisle from me on the bus. I look across at him. He’s breathing in and out dramatically, continually telling me to take deep breaths. Am I having a panic attack?

My heart starts to slow after at least a full minute, and I can feel air in my lungs again. I look at Tyler and nod my head, telling him I’m okay.

“You okay, Lucas?” he asks again.

“I . . . Yeah . . . Bad dream,” I mutter to him, pulling on my sweatshirt.

Chills from cold sweat run down my body. It was more than a bad dream; it was my worst nightmare. Truthfully, I think I would rather be rejected from the NHL than witness Lauren marrying someone else. I’m falling in love with her.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask Tyler. He looks at me, making a face that says, ‘of course why are you even asking.’

“Sorry to ask you. I don’t want you in the middle, but I need to know.” Before I can even finish, he responds.

“She went on the date. It was fine, but she isn’t interested.”

A wave of relief and calm rushes over me. I shudder.

“Thank you,” I reply with true gratitude in my eyes. “I just—I needed to know. It’s been eating at me.”

Tyler nods. I turn away and close my eyes again, hoping for a dreamless, peaceful sleep.

“I found out why she swore off dating,” Tyler mutters. “She was . . . overwhelmed after the date. I don’t think she even kissed him, but she was . . . I can’t tell you, please don’t ask me to.”

“I understand.” Truthfully, I do understand, but my mind spins wondering what it could be. If I know . . . then maybe I can help her through it and show that it’s worth working through to be together.

“It’s a lot, Lucas. It’s not my story to share, but I think she’s too afraid to tell you, or anyone.”

“I get it. I won’t push you. I respect that, and I respect her.” I start to turn away again and mutter more to myself than to Tyler, “Nothingshe says or has done or has experienced will change anything for me. I’m falling in love with her.”

“Good. She deserves someone who will treat her right and won’t hurt her.”

“Hurting her is the last thing I ever want to do in my life.” I truly mean that with every fiber of my being. I hope Tyler can sense the sincerity in my voice.

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