Page 86 of Broken Hearts
Coach Meyers announces that the boys have five minutes before they need to load up for the arena.
Mr. Rauthruss leans toward his youngest son. “Your brother is leaving. Do you want to give him your present?”
The little boy nods and holds his hand out, offering Rhett a shiny black rock.
“This is for me?” Rhett asks, taking and inspecting it.
“I found it at school. Sarah and Rachel wanted it, but I told them I was giving it to you for luck.”
Rhett’s chest shakes with a silent laugh. “Thank you.”
Ryder smiles proudly.
I stand and Rhett slides back out of the booth. His parents and brother get up too to hug him and wish him luck.
“We hope to see more of you this weekend, Sienna,” his mom says as Rhett and I start toward his teammates.
“Me too. Nice to meet you all.”
We walk out with the team as they start to load up on the bus.
“You survived,” Rhett says when we’re outside.
“Shut up. I was so nervous. I’ve never met a guy’s parents before.”
“I’ve never introduced one before,” he says. “They already knew Carrie.”
“Right.”
He wraps me up in his arms and hugs me. “Thanks for coming.”
“Are you kidding? They have popcornandlemonade.”
He chuckles. “Are you going over to the arena for the first game?”
We break apart and he takes a step toward the bus stairs. “I don’t know. I’m just along for the ride, but I imagine we’re going wherever you guys are.”
He nods and I realize he’s starting to get nervous.
“You’re going to be great. You have to be otherwise I’m going to get my ass kicked in this shirt.”
He glances down at it and then fists it and hauls me to him for another kiss before getting on the bus.
25
Rhett
We win our first game, but it’s close and we head back to the hotel with grim expressions and the final game looming over our heads. The morning of, Sienna and I have breakfast with my family at the hotel.
She has a jacket on over her property of number twenty-three T-shirt which makes me laugh. My mom is asking her about skating and it’s nice. I knew they’d like her.
My knee bounces with anticipation as I half listen and finish my food. One more game. Win or lose, this is it.
“What time are you going over to the arena?” my mom asks, breaking my train of thought.
“Bus leaves in an hour,” I say.
“Do you have my rock?” Ryder asks. His face is covered in chocolate from the donut he ate.
