Page 63 of One Shot

A whistle fills the arena, signaling the start of the game. I truly love watching hockey more than I love most things in life, but I think all hockey lovers would agree when I say not every game is insanely exhilarating. This was one of those games. The Wyverns are crushing the Knights. We are up 5-0 by the end of the second period. I’m thrilled for the impending win at least!

Bren, Suz, and I wait for the team by the visitors' locker rooms. Liam is the first out and wraps Bren in a bear hug. I spot Lucas with Connor and Tyler.

“Hey, good game, guys!” My voice echoes down the hallway.

Lucas looks over at me and instantly looks away. That’s a weird response coming from him. I walk over to talk to them more.

“Sorry, your first away game didn’t have you on the edge of your seat. We were just too good today,” Tyler smirks.

“Watching the team play is always a party! I wouldn’t have missed it,” I reply back, rolling my eyes at his cockiness.

“But you can miss games a few minutes down the road from you?” Lucas snaps.

My eyes go wide and my jaw drops. I didn’t expect anyone to say anything about me missing the game against East. Words escape me.

“Got it.” With angry purposeful steps, Lucas starts to walk away.

I grab his arm trying to pull him back. Tyler makes a motion to Connor, and they keep walking. Lucas turns towards me.

“Lucas, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I would miss the . . .” my voice is shaky.

I pause trying to think of what to tell him. I didn't expect him to care so much that I missed a game. He’s waiting for me to tell him why I couldn’t be there.

Instead of saying anything, I walk away. I was just getting used to the idea of admitting to Lucas I have feelings for him, but I’m not ready to divulge that the reason I missed the game against East was to avoid my abusive ex-boyfriend.

Suz is already at her car and sees the hurt across my face. I get in the car before tears start flowing down my cheeks. Suz pulls me into a tight embrace while she multitasks on her phone. Suz starts the car, turns up the music and starts driving.

“But, Bren.” I don’t want to leave her behind.

“Texted her. She’ll take the bus with Liam.”

She grabs my hand and squeezes it just like she did the other night.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I let my tears fall to the sound of Jesse McCartney singing ‘Beautiful Soul.’

Chapter thirty-one

Lucas

Waiting for the bus to take off and head back to West, my exhaustion catches up to me. Since the game against East, I haven’t felt like myself, and I can’t seem to shake off the loss. I’ve been short with the team. I’m crabby. I’m frustrated. I’m drained. The music blaring through my headphones helps to bring my mind a blissful distraction.

Someone yanks out my earbud, jolting me from my music-induced trance.

“WHAT DID YOU DO?” Bren screams in my face. What is she even talking about? I stare at her blankly, annoyed to be disturbed when all I need to do is relax and get out of my head.

“Well, Lucas Donato, I’m waiting,” Bren taps her foot impatiently. She’s not going to give me my earpiece back until I say something to get her to go away.

“I just told her it was weird she could come to an away game but not a game a few minutes down the street from her,” I reply.

Bren gawks, shaking with repressed fury and a look that very clearly says “you’re an idiot Lucas.”

Bren’s frustration peeves me. Not only did we have a big loss against the Wyverns’ biggest rival, but the girl of my dreams who has been to every single home game this season decided it wasn’t worth going to the game. If anything, I should be the one fuming.

“What? It is weird. She didn’t even tell me. She writes this article about how incredible I am, claiming ‘I’m not the next big thing incollege hockey, I already am the biggest thing in college hockey’ and then the next day doesn’t come to my game?”

My tone is whiny and pathetic, but I’m pissed. Bren snorts at me, fuming with aggravation. I’ve heard her make it plenty of times to a lot of different people. She’s amazed at how stupid I’m being.

“What! I can be mad,” I try to justify myself.

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