Page 80 of Breakout
“You know it. Brett and I are attached at the hip. Isn’t that right, buddy?” I wrap my arm around him, making him push me away.
“You’re so messed up in the head, man. Get on the ice.”
He walks away, heading over to the coach as the rest of us warm up on the ice.
“Everything good?” Clay asks.
“I think he’s coming to terms with the fact that his future isn’t as easy as it seemed prior to the accident,” I admit, keeping my voice low.
“I’ve been worried about that. He has his cast off now and everything, but he still hasn’t gotten on skates. The doctor cleared him two weeks ago,” Clay tells me.
I look at him, shocked. I had no idea he had gotten the all-clear.
“Yeah, that’s how I felt when Coach told me before practice today. I’m worried about him.”
“Me too. He hasn’t been himself. I feel like shit that I haven’t been around as much. I don’t want him to feel abandoned.” I let out a sigh.
“Don’t feel bad. You obviously have your own shit going on. Don’t think I don’t notice all the times you disappear. I’m worried about you too, but at least you don’t seem depressed. He seems like he is losing his spark.” Clay looks over at Brett talking with Coach, so I do too.
“You don’t need to worry about me. Everything is going well in my life for once. We need to do a guys’ night or something. Maybe that will help get Brett to open up about whatever is eating at him.”
He nods. “I’ll arrange it.”
“Are you two ladies going to keep gossiping, or can we get moving already?” Coach calls out, ending our conversation.
As we start our drills, I keep an eye on Brett. Whatever is going on with him, I meant what I said. We will have his back.
I only hope he lets us.
seventeen
It’s regionals, and Walker U is kicking ass.
All they need to do is win one more game to get into the last round of games being played in a couple of weeks. I took the weekend off of work so I could be here for them. It’s a bracket-style system with sixteen teams competing until we get down to the final four. Those four teams will then go on to compete in the semifinals before the final championship game.
Beckett has been stressed out about it. While they are playing well, it’s like he has a weight on his shoulders.
It’s why I’m here. I might not want to admit this thing is real between us, but I felt a pull to be here for him the same way he kept showing up for me. I want to match his energy. Give him as much as he is giving me.
It almost feels like what I imagine a relationship should be like.
“This place is huge,” Cora whispers.
She’s right. Tonight’s game is being held at the Boston Foxes’ arena. It’s so different from the one back at school. This one holds nineteen thousand fans.
“This is a whole new world,” Grace whispers. “Clay will be playing in one of these places next year. I don’t think I realized how real it is until just now.”
I reach over, squeezing her shoulder.
I know what she means. The idea that Beckett will also be playing in an arena next year is surreal to me. Will he end up here or maybe across the county? We won’t know until June.
A little part of me wants him here. I still have two years left of school. It’s selfish, but for once I want something for me.
I want him.
“Is that another Hayes jersey I’m seeing?” Cora turns me so Grace can see.
I gave Beckett back his jersey after the last game, so I went out and bought myself a new one.
