Page 69 of Summer Shot
Blaine’s unfazed that I meditate. He’s even supporting me. Each player he lists off brings me a sense of relief that washes over me like a warm breeze on a hot summer day. I’m not alone in this.
Blaine snaps his fingers in the air. “Even your boy Toews from Chicago did a five-week meditation and yoga retreat or something like that when he took that time off the ice.”
The locker room door squeaks open bringing echoing footsteps and chatter in with it.
“Thanks for all that,” I whisper to Blaine. He offers me a hand, pulling me up off the ground.
With a pat on my shoulders, his understanding gaze meets my wide flustered eyes. “Anytime, Luc.”
Never in my life would I think that Blaine Mitchell would be the one to relate to me about meditating and anxiety.
Practice starts per usual with drills. Energy courses through me, I fly on my skates finishing every single drill in record time. I’ve got wheels today, feeling unstoppable.
Tapping my stick impatiently on the ice, I’m buzzing to get through drills and into scrimmaging. Joy flickers, then flashing into a full-blown smile thinking about Coach Andres’ new lines with Ryder, Blaine, and me on offense. There’s a new fire lit inside me today and I am ready to dominate.
A whistle fills the arena. Coach signals for us to all regroup around the bench. My eyes fall to Laur with a high ponytail and eager grin. Excitement lights up her face, she’s radiant.
Laur opens her mouth, but a familiar voice reaches my ears that is not hers. A voice I haven’t heard in years.
“Hi, Luc.”
My eyes widen in disbelief as they collide with the evasive green eyes of my ex-girlfriend. My chest grows heavy as if my heart is in shackles.
“Raven?” The name is a toxic whisper on my tongue. My heart beat drums with panic, vibrating the shackles with each thump as my brows crease with confusion. What the hell is she doing here?
“Please help me welcome the new PR members,” Laur interrupts. Her gaze meets mine, her eyes cloudy with uncertainty and hints of fear.
Laur continues introducing each new member. She starts to explain some of the new ideas and events they have for this year.
The guys make snide comments around me at the picnic basket auction, but I haven’t heard a single word Laur’s said. The chains around my chest tighten with each breath I take.
In.
Out.
Raven is here.
My ex-girlfriend is here.
In.
Out.
The fire inside me turns into raging flames of chaos. There’s no hope in calming it, but I keep trying to avoid letting it consume me.
In.
Out.
In.
Holy shit.
Out.
Laur’s team starts to turn around, I scramble as close as possible to the boards and grab her arm, yanking her back.
Through clenched teeth, I whisper, “Lauren, how the hell is my ex-girlfriend part of your PR and marketing team? And why the hell is she?”
