Page 48 of Cheap Shot
I don’t respond, just grunt, before turning to look him in the eyes. A silence settles over the locker room. No doubt, everyone is looking to see how things are going to go down between the two of us.
“Haven’t you ever seen two brothers in the same locker room before?” I yell, waiting patiently for everyone to get back to whatever they were doing. When no one moves, I speak again. “Nothing to see here, ladies. Please continue whatever BS ritual you were going through to ensure your success during training today.”
That seems to get everyone moving, although a few of them continue glancing at us just to make sure nothing gossip-worthy is happening. God damn, you’d think we were a couple of teenage girls and not professional hockey players. Although some days, I’m not sure there is really much of a difference between us and them besides our ages.
“Still have a flair for the dramatic, I see.” Cooper doesn’t smile or even blink, his eyes searching my face for something.
“What are you doing here, Cooper? It’s called rookie camp for a reason.”
“Can’t I just come by to check up on my little brother?”
“You mean more like spy on.” I sigh, not wanting to get into this with him here, especially not now with everyone watching. “Have you met my locker buddy, Sammy?”
Sammy’s entire face lights up as he holds his hand out. Cooper grips it in his, flashing him one of his patented smiles. “Hello, Mr. Hendrix. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Cooper is fine.” His eyes flick toward me as he raises his eyebrow, but I shrug.
I don’t know anything about this kid other than his name and the fact that he seems to have a locker next to mine. And that he seems to be obsessed with my brother. If Beau had stopped by for a surprise visit, I think his head may have exploded. If he doesn’t get this shit under control, there’s no way he’s going to have a chance at being on the ice with any of them.
“Good luck during rookie week. Coach Mercer is a hardass, but he’s fair. Follow his instructions, and you have a real shot at becoming someone someday.” Cooper pulls his hand from Sammy’s grasp. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I need to have a chat with Cole before practice starts.”
“Yes, no problem. I need to get my ankles taped, anyway.” Sammy pushes to his feet, unsure of how to proceed.
“Ask for Parker. Let him know Cooper asked him to get you situated.”
“Of course, Mr.—I mean, Cooper.” Sammy beams at him before striding past us and disappearing around the corner toward the training room.
Cooper drops into Sammy’s now-vacant spot on the bench, motioning for me to take the seat next to him. “I’m all right. I’ll stand.”
“Suit yourself. How are you?”
I scoff, crossing my arms as I look down at him. He looks rundown and beaten, nothing like the dominating person who attempted to rule my life when I was sixteen years old, but I know better. People don’t change; only their circumstances do.
“Can we skip the fucking small talk? If you are waiting for me to thank you, don’t hold your breath.”
“No. I wouldn’t expect that from you.” Cooper pauses, his hands open and closing before he sighs and continues speaking. “I did what I had to do. You might not like it or appreciate it, but you weren’t going to get a chance at ice time anywhere else. I figured you’d rather play than rot on injured reserve.”
I grit my teeth, the muscle in my jaw pulsing. “I would’ve rather earned it.”
Cooper looks up at me, his eyes imploring me to listen to what he has to say, raking a hand through his hair.“Youdidearn it, Cole. You’ve got the talent. You’ve always had it. I just convinced them to give you a chance. That's what big brothers are supposed to do.”
“It’s a little too fucking late, Cooper. You don’t get to be my big brother now. You had your chance.”
A big brother wouldn’t have let a year pass before he even tried to talk to me. A big brother would’ve apologized for trying to force me to do what he wanted. A big brother would have apologized for not listening to what I had to say. A big brother wouldn’t have killed our father. Cooper hasn’t been my big brother in years, and if I’m being honest, I’m not sure if he ever was.
Cooper shakes his head before pushing to his feet. “I never stopped being your brother.”
“Yeah? Funny, I don’t remember you asking me what I wanted to do. Didn’t hear from you when Boise started fucking around with my contract two years ago. But now suddenly you can’t wait to give me a handout so everyone thinks you're a magnanimous being? Willing to let your fuck-up brother wearyourteam’s jersey?
Cooper flinches but doesn’t back down. Stepping forward so we are nose to nose, he says, “You think this is about ego? This team needs you, Cole. And whether or not you want to admit it, you need a fresh start. We both do.”
Cooper wraps his arm around my shoulder, trying to pull me in for a one-armed hug, but I shove him hard in the chest.“Don’t pretend this is some grand reunion. I’m here, and I don’t plan on wasting this chance, no matter how I got it. But you need to stay the fuck away from me.”
I reach past him and grab my duffle off the floor, swinging it over my good shoulder and heading toward the door. Everyone in the locker room scrambles, trying to pretend like they weren't just listening to the entire exchange, but I don’t give a flying fuck.
Right now, I need to put as much space as possible between Cooper and me. I know Michele asked me to meet her in the weight room to get started, but right now, I don’t feel much like doing anything besides taking a few more of my red pills and pretending that everything isn’t as fucked up as it seems.
ChapterTwelve
