Page 158 of Rebound
Drew’s the only one who’s ever attempted to leave, not realizing we’ll keep dragging him back until the day we die.
Sassy (Drew)
I don’t remember making this commitment and frankly, it makes me uncomfortable.
Kandi (Kai)
Everything makes you uncomfortable.
Sassy (Drew)
Not you, too. Has no one considered we’re debilitatingly codependent?
Crystal (Reese)
But that’s the best part of the HoBros.
Destiny (Holden)
Do you think we scared Roman away?
Bubbles pop up at the bottom of the screen, showing that Trixie (Ford) is writing a response. I set down my phone and briefly consider putting it on silent. Why did I want this again? Suddenly, I see my future and it involves a phone which never stops buzzing. My life will never be silent again.
I switch over to Lavinia’s chat. I have nothing to panic about. I have her flight information correct; she’s probably on the plane right now if everything went according to plan.
Roman
Hope you boarded the plane safely and have a safe flight. I’ll see you when you get in. Let me know if you need me to stop by and make dinner for you and Jules.
I finish getting ready for practice and leave my apartment after giving the cats plenty of pets.
Practice is gruelingand I miss every shot I take. Coach is pissed. I w’ll be surprised if he lets me on the ice for our next game because that seems to be his favorite punishment.
“What are you doing?” Ford snaps, when I miss the goal once again. “You could have made that goal in your sleep.”
“Maybe I left it open for you since I know you wouldn’t have gotten it,” I snap back.
“Don’t be an ass.” Ford jabs his stick into my side, but with the gear in place, I hardly feel anything.
“Can’t help what he already is,” Drew says, skating by us.
“What’s wrong?” This comes from Kai. Since we’re close to the goalie net, he can hear everything. I shake my head, but his brown eyes are penetrating, even from under his helmet. How is he able to do that?
“It’s Lavinia,” I admit.
Saying her name is like dropping blood into shark infested waters. Even as gross as the analogy is, it’s exactly what happens. The guys are suddenly surrounding me, even though I wasn’t that loud.
“What’s wrong with Lavinia?” Drew demands.
“This is not time for gossip!” Coach yells. “When you’re on the ice, you’re playing or practicing. Save the conversation for the dressing room. Back in position. Now!”
The guys skate away, and Drew remains, waiting for an answer.
“Callahan!” Coach’s command has Drew grinding his jaw and skating away, spraying ice everywhere.
The team’s even worse now and after an hour of missing goals and fucking up plays, Coach calls the practice to an end. It’s followed by thirty minutes of telling us we’re getting complacent and just because we won the Stanley Cup last season doesn’t mean we’ll win it again.
“Whatever the fuck is wrong, fix it.” Coach’s eyes move over each one of us. “I don’t want to go through this again at practice. Am I fucking clear?”
