Page 131 of Slap Shot Scandal
Her father’s going to eviscerate her. She’s told me enough about him that I know she’ll never live this down.
Coach Hayes makes my father look like Dad of the fucking Year.
The irony of all this is I’m the one who crossed the line. Yet I’ll be fine.
Sure, I’ll likely lose the captaincy. And that sucks. It’s gonna be hard for me to take a step back from the position, to transition from being the leader to the led.
But at least I’ll keep my job, my career.
None of it means anything without her.
Pain radiates through my chest, pumping through my veins with each beat of my heart.
For the first time in years, I let myself feel something again. I let her in—to my life, my heart—and it felt good. Right.
She’s the only person I’ve ever connected with like this.
I thought we were forever. The real deal.
And now it’s done. Over.
I’m leaving.
Pulling into my driveway, I cut the engine and rest my head on the smooth leather wheel. I close my eyes, pain and sadness washing over me in heavy waves, one rolling after the other.
I’m drowning, gasping for air, my chest tight.
So fucking tight.
I can’t do this without her.
I’ve only felt like this—this crushing grief—one other time in my life.
When my mom died.
Harbor’s so much like her. Calm, centered, focused. Fun and relaxed once you get to know her. Smart and sweet, full of light and love.
Another wave of misery sweeps over me and I vaguely wonder how I’m going to survive this.
Body heavy, I haul myself into the house. Bennett’s on the couch playingCall of Duty, not a care in the world.
I try to dodge him, but he catches sight of me out of the corner of his eye. Yanking his headphones off, he gives me a quick once over.
“Bro, who died?”
“Not now, Bennett.” My voice is harsh and ragged.
“Whoa.” He holds up his palms. “I’d ask if you’re okay, but I don’t fucking need to. What the hell happened?”
“Harbor’s leaving.”
“What? Why?”
“I take it you haven’t checked social media today.”
He shakes his head, hair flopping on his forehead. “Nope. Phone’s dead. Didn’t charge last night.”
I click on a text message and the video pops up.
