Page 98 of Facing Off
Even if going to Oslo is the last thing I want to do, I have to find Jung. His contract is on the line.
Not only that, but this next season for the Wings? It’s the most important one we’ve ever played, it’s crucial we start winning again. It’s how our team stays whole.
Don’t forget what being a captain means, I tell myself. I can’t afford to be distracted. Especially when I know that, even if Sonya might be attracted to me, she doesn’t feel anything deeper. She doesn’twantto.
She’s here to hold up her side of an agreement. It’s about not owing me anything for Team Nutcracker.
As soon as her ballet recovers, she’ll retreat back into her own world. None of themomentswe’re having change that, and yet the idea that we’ll become more like acquaintances again— fucking skewers me.
38
ADRIAN
We’reat the men’s hockey game between Canada and Sweden, and despite how crowded the arena is, Kavi’s vivid pink hair is easy to spot.
I can’t help but smile at it. I’ve never told her this, but Kavi reminds me a lot of my youngest sister. They both spent a lot of time struggling with their confidence, but you wouldn’t know that from looking at them today.
Kavi has her own photography studio, mentors younger artists, and is the only person I know with the power to make the grumpiest player on the Vancouver Wings, her husband Dmitri Lokhov, crack a smile in public.
Sonya hasn’t seen Kavi yet.
I can’t help to point her out, because Sonya’s not beside me.
The plan is for Sonya to meet Kavi first, while I stand off to the side. According to my ballerina, it makes it seem less of a thing that we traveled here together.
I wait.
Sonya’s picking her nails and craning her head, looking around.
Kavi doesn’t know about the yips,I remember. With how long the World Hockey Championships have been going on for, this is the first time Sonya’s seen her best friend since her life’s been turned upside-down.
Kavi sees Sonya first and yelps—rushing over and pulling her into a big hug. Sonya’s arms are stuck to her sides, but after a stretched moment, she drops her head onto Kavi’s shoulders and stays there.
My heart lifts. Sonya might play it cool with everyone else, but she can’t with Kavi. Not really. It’s probably why she’s been avoiding talking to her about her ballet. A best friend is like a mirror. You can only hide for so long.
Eventually, they pull apart. Kavi’s determined and talking. Sonya is crossing her arms, but also leaning forward and talking.
Their friendship is fucking adorable.
Kavi’s expression makes it seem like she’s asking Sonya something. Sonya seems disgruntled and reluctant, but slowly points to…where I’m standing against the wall.
I perk up, glance around, then point to myself and grin.Me?
I saunter over—and am yanked into a warm hug by Kavi the second I get close enough. “And here I thought no amount of convincing would change your mind about coming here.”
“Logistics,” Sonya jumps in to say. “That’s why we flew together. Because I wanted to see you and see Quinn, and Hughes also has things to do. You know, his own stuff. So it’s a schedule thing. Timing and complete randomness.”
Kavi’s grin is slow and teasing. “Wow, that all soundssobelievable.”
Sonya pouts.
Well it’s more of a frown-pout, but the first time I’ve ever seen it. Of course, I’m cataloguing it.
Another one of her frowns I’ll remember, save, and cherish.
Kavi nudges Sonya with her elbow and gives her a pointed look that reads:We’re totally going to talk about this later when we’re alone together. Then she turns to me. “Dmitri mentioned you’re trying to find Jung, but didn’t tell me why.”
That’s because I’ve been shielding the rest of the team from how seriously the GM is pushing to make changes. It hasn’t gotten to the point where everyone needs to worry, I rationalize. I can still work harder, brainstorm more, and throw around my influence as captain of the Wings to protect us. Whatever it takes, I won’t fail.
