Page 76 of Married As Puck
“I understand what you mean but not here and especially not now.” I shift my weight from one side to another impatiently. Keith just had to intervene. Why can’t he let things be?
“You just got back, and I can’t have the Coach hitting you with another suspension this close to the big game. Keep it together, Cam.”
I huff, turn and stomp to the corner to cool off. “One of these days, I’ll squeeze the life out of that demon,” I mutter.
Three Hours Later
Coach’s whistle pierces the air bringing the game to an end. “Alright, that’s chill. Bring it in, boys. We’ll meet back here in an hour for a brief meeting.”
“Cameron, a word please,” he calls out. I jog over to him and grab the bottle of water he’s offering.
“Hey, Coach.” I take his hand in a firm handshake. We walk side by side and then take a seat on the sidelines simultaneously.
“How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I reply almost immediately.
“You think? If you’re fine like you claim, what was all that shameful display out there?”
I open my mouth to explain but he beats me to it.
“Listen, you hit your head but if your feet led you to this rink today then I’m sure a part of you still remembers the rules of the game and how everything works out here.”
I swallow nervously as he keeps talking.
“There’s no other way to say what I’m about to say but I’ll say it anyway.” He exhales, “We are running out of time and right now, you’re the only weak link. Don’t forget why you started in the first place, Cameron.”
He pats my back and smiles, “I know you won’t let us down.”
With that, he leaves. I sit there for a while letting his words sink into my consciousness.
“Hey, are you hungry?”
I look up at Keith who’s typing away on his phone. “Yeah, I guess I could eat.”
“Good, let’s go then.”
We settle for‘Dine With Gianna’since it’s the closest to the rink and Keith’s stomach has been grumbling.
“You did good out there today,” Keith remarks after the server has brought our meals.
I scoff, “There’s no need trying to make me feel better. I know I didn’t do shit out there. Even a rookie can do better.”
Keith slams his fork on the plate and the sound makes me wince. He murmurs an apology and says, “I was playing too, okay? I know what I saw. I didn’t say it was your best but that’s your first attempt since the accident so you deserve all the credit. Tomorrow, you’ll be back there no matter what anyone says or thinks, do you hear me?”
I can’t help the breathy laugh that escapes my lips at the seriousness in his tone. “Yeah, sure. I wasn’t planning to back down after today.”
“How are things with you and Brie?” he asks as he nibbles on his steak.
The sound of his phone ringing saves me from answering that. He answers the call. After a few minutes, I observe how tense his posture has become. He mouths that it’s his mom, and I nod in understanding as he excuses himself to take the rest of the call in a reserved area of the restaurant. Their conversation tends to get heated, but they have a great relationship, a rarity in my life.
I lean back and scroll through my social media handles to see the opinions of people about the accident. I’m rocked back on my heels when I find out that there’s no single mention of the news anywhere. Damn, Collins is doing a great job.
When Keith returns, he tells me what his mom has been up to, and he doesn’t bring up Brie again. He gives me a pep talk aboutgetting my head in the game, and then we’re going our separate ways for the night.
28
“Mrs. Randolph, will that be all for today? Mrs. Randolph? Mrs. Randolph?!” I reach out and slam my hand on the table.
