Page 58 of What Are the Chances
WILL
By the time the bus pulled up outside of the Athletes’ Centre, it was late. Past midnight. I was so fucking tired. All I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep the weekend away.
After saying our goodbyes to the team, the guys and I climbed into my truck and set off for home.
Another away game, another loss. We were holding our position in the standings, but just. Boston was within a game, and Allentown was hot on our tail too. If we didn’t turn things around soon, we could kiss our National Championship hopes goodbye.
“You good, man?” I asked Levi, who was staring out the window.
The opposing centre had taken a nasty run at him, slamming him into the boards. I’d retaliated and served a five-minute major for it, one I was happy to cop.
“Grace went out tonight and hasn’t responded for a few hours.”
Huh, so his mood wasn’t even related to the game.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” I said in reassurance.
Levi didn’t seem convinced. “She sent me a message around ten and it didn’t make any fucking sense.”
He flashed the phone to me. Sure enough, it was a collection of gibberish, which we were quite used to when it came to Hughesy and her Aussie lingo. But this text was another language in itself. And that language wastanked.
“Maybe she’s home already,” I offered hopefully.
Levi bounded straight up the stairs the second I unlocked the front door. He was barely on the top level for five-seconds before he was barrelling back down, zipping up his hockey jacket.
“She’s not there.”
Tripp perked up. “Where is she?”
“Lastlings I think.”
“Looked busy there tonight. Think the soccer team had some event on.”
Levi rested his hands on his hips, looking pensive.
“Do you want to go and check it out?” I offered.
He juggled his hands. “Does it make me a crazy boyfriend if I say yes?”
“No. If something feels off, it’s usually because it is. Better to be safe, right?”
“How about I try Parker,” Ryan offered. “Her and Riley were going there tonight as well.”
My ears caught onto that last piece of information. Riley was there too? Interesting. And concerning maybe.
We all watched Ryan while he held the phone to his ear. After what felt like a full three periods, he ended the call.
“Voicemail.”
“Fuck it.” I pulled my keys from my pocket. “Let’s go.”
*
Lastlings was packed. We had to edge our way into the bar. Once we did, as a pack, Levi, Ryan, Tripp and I looked around.
None of our usual crew were here. Some of the football guys were, as well as the entire soccer team as Tripp had mentioned. There was also a collection of older business guys watching college girls ride the mechanical bull, which was pretty fucking creepy. If any of the riders happened to be Riley, I was prepared to throw some suits out the way.
“Over there,” Tripp shouted, gesturing to the dance floor.
