Page 79 of One Shot

“I want to. Leave the door unlocked for me? I don’t want to get chewed out if I wake Bren or anyone else up.”

My gut fills with the well-known feelings of butterflies, knowing I will get to see Lucas, even if it’s brief. “Deal. See you soon.”

Hanging up the phone, my stomach feels some type of way, and it’s not from the alcohol last night. My heart flutters along with the butterflies in my stomach from Lucas’ thoughtful gesture to deliver me breakfast before he goes to practice. I’m not used to such sweetgestures from a boyfriend. I sluggishly trek downstairs. Bren and Libby are still fast asleep in the living room. I unlock the door for Lucas and tiptoe back to my room.

I wake up to a kiss on my cheek. I must have dozed off again. Lucas is standing in my bedroom with a latte in hand.

“Hi, pretty girl,” he croons, pressing another delicate kiss to my cheek.

I want to pull him into me and kiss him deeply before straddling him on my bed, but I quickly remember I haven’t brushed my teeth.

“Bren’s awake, bagels are downstairs.” He hands me my coffee and sits on my bed. “I wish I could stay, but Coach asked me to come in and talk to him before practice. Assuming it has to do with Mitchell last night.”

Mitchell? I have no idea what he’s talking about. What happened with Blaine Mitchell? Knowing that guy, it can’t be anything good.

“Swing by practice, and I’ll fill you in after?” he asks.

“I’ve got to finish my article about Nick forUSA Hockey Magazine.” Truthfully, writer’s block has taken over anytime I try to write, so I’ve been putting it off.

“What better place to write about hockey than watching hockey?”

He kisses my forehead and heads out the door. My stomach grumbles. Looks like I’ll have to catch up on sleep later. I pull on one of Nick’s old hockey sweatshirts and head downstairs.

The scent of fresh bacon leads me to the kitchen. Bren and Libby are up. Libby is sporting last night’s clothes, hair wild with racoon eyes. But Bren is fresh faced and showered.

“I’m so sorry about last night,” Bren starts.

“Hey, it happens. No big deal,” I respond, brushing away Bren’s concern.

“I don’t want to worry about it at all though,” Bren explains. “Liam and I will talk about it when we need to. We are fine though, just a one-night hiccup.”

I nod and bite into my freshly toasted bagel. I can’t imagine how it feels knowing your boyfriend of over six years might move across the country without you. If Lucas and I get serious, will I be as distraught as Bren, or will my focus still be on my own career?

Chapter thirty-seven

Lucas

Anxiety hangs over me like a storm cloud knowing I have to talk to Coach about last night’s bar incident with Mitchell and Liam. I have to be levelheaded and unbiased when it comes to being captain. As Captain Donato, I don't want to bench either of them; we need them to play our best. As Lucas, I want to bench Mitchell as long as possible for talking about Laur like she’s a prize to win. As the leader of the team, I need to recommend benching them both, likely Mitchell a little longer since he had to be pulled out by security and caused the scene in the first place.

Coach Andres agrees. He benches Liam for four games. Liam never gets into fights, never causes trouble, and has helped give the team a better reputation over the years. Mitchell is benched for six games. I would push for more if I didn’t need him to help us keep our winning streak going.

Both of them will be out for the home game against East now. I groan. That game is going to be rough enough now that I know about Kovek physically and mentally abusing my girl. It’s going to take every ounce of willpower I have not to slam him against the boards or punch him until the ice below him is bloody. I’m trying not to think about it, but I don’t understand how a man can do that to someone he claims to love. I don’t understand how anyone can do that.

Before practice starts, I tell Liam the news. His shoulder slump with defeat and he hangs his head in shame. I go over to Mitchell and give him the news too. Mitchell clenches his fist at the news. He very clearly wants to punch me. Before he can get too hot-headed, Coach comesover, telling him if he does anything to retaliate he has no problem making it the rest of the season instead of just a few games. That’s the difference between a man and a boy. Liam understands his actions have consequences and is disappointed in himself. Blaine Mitchell lets his frustration fuel him instead. Guess that Nathan Kovek is probably a similar but much, much shittier of a human being. Mitchell stirs up trouble and likes to instigate shit for no reason, but I know deep down he isn’t an awful human. Nathan Kovek I wouldn’t even qualify as human.

Practice goes by so slowly. I look for Laur, knowing the sight of her will lift my spirits. My heart sinks realizing she’s not at practice, but my eyes are drawn to the spot she usually is every few minutes to see if she shows up. Maybe she got distracted by her article. Deciding to stay on the ice after everyone leaves, I blow off some steam. Being on the ice by myself is one of the most calming places to be. It’s usually where I can get out of my head and just hone my skill and game. I could use the distraction before I’m the one who hits something. I can’t believe two of our players on our main lines are going to be out during the game against East. We are screwed.

I’m practicing some slapshots when I hear a noise on the home bench. Laur’s sitting down starting to pull out her laptop.

“Don’t mind me!” her cheery voice resonates in the empty arena. I skate over to her. Just the sight of her fills me with some relief. I’ve never experienced that before. It’s nice that just being around someone can turn your day around and distract you from the rest of the world.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt. I ended up having breakfast with the girls and got sidetracked. Why are you out here by yourself?”

“I needed to blow off steam and get out of my head, but seeing you definitely helps.”

She smiles shyly and twirls her hair around her finger. Laur is rarely shy, but it’s adorable. Her voice is timid.

“Can I write while you blow off steam? I’m still stuck on finishing the article about Nick and hoping the rink will give me some inspiration.”

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