Page 39 of Scoring Slater
Kelsey: And you?
Staring out the window, he ran a hand through his hair and considered what to say.
Slater: You know me. Not much fazes me.
Not much. Yet, the situation with Noah had thrown him completely.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
From the bench, Noah watched his teammates battle Detroit. Much like the backup goalie to his left, he hadn’t participated in any on-ice action for the bulk of the third period. Coach wasn’t happy with him. Hell, he wasn’t happy with himself.
Coach’s words, barked at him during the second intermission, echoed in his head. He’d screwed up too many times, his timing had been off, his head hadn't been in the game. The same issues had existed all week long. He needed to figure out how to fix it or he'd end up being a healthy scratch.
One of Detroit’s wingers slipped in a wrap-around shot between Rod’s skate and the post. The goal horn sounded, a harsh, frustrating reminder that Noah’s earlier actions were responsible for him not being out there to help his teammates.
4-0, with five minutes to go.
They’d need a miracle to stage a comeback and win.
As the minutes ticked by, the helplessness flailing through his system grew.
Rod skated to the bench, and Paquette jumped onto the ice as an extra attacker. Noah leaned forward, willing his teammates to make magic happen.
Detroit gained control of the puck and their captain flew down the ice and fired a shot. The puck sailed into the empty net.
Crushed, Noah turned his gaze to the ceiling. Boos rang out from every corner of the arena.
5-0.
Seconds remained on the clock. A win was out of the question.
He’d been on the ice when Detroit scored three of their goals. He hadn’t contributed a single point in an entire week. He placed the loss squarely on his shoulders.
The buzzer rang when the clock hit zero. Feeling much like that number, he rose and followed his teammates down the tunnel.
No one spoke. Noah stripped off his gear and replayed every mistake he’d made in the game.
Coach LeClair came in. He rarely yelled, but today, he made an exception.
Noah felt worse and worse. He hadn’t been the only one to screw up, but he thought he’d screwed up the most. The mood was somber as he and his teammates met with the coaches to review the game, did media interviews, rode exercise bikes to flush out the lactic acid from their muscles, and did strength maintenance work in the weight room.
He and Slater didn’t speak as they made their way to the car. The sting from losing was still too fresh.
Noah kept his gaze trained out the window as the strip malls and developments rolled by. Beside him, Slater cleared his throat. "I found something to make taking today's longer, alternative route home more palatable. Might make you feel better, too. Today’s game was rough."
Day five of alternate route roulette had brought a brand new, convoluted journey from the rink. Since their scare the previous week, he and Slater hadn't driven home the same way twice. "What's that?"
He pulled the car into a parking lot and pointed at the square white sign hanging over a stone store. "Tea."
The thought of a steaming cup of tea was enough to ease his tension. He lowered his sunglasses and raised the bill of the baseball cap he'd taken to wearing every time he left the apartment. Much like his game, things with Slater and him had been off too. He met the redhead's careful gaze. "It looks nice."
Slater's chest fell as he released a deep breath. "Let's go."
Noah pulled his coat collar up high, pushed his glasses and cap back in place and then climbed out of the car. He scanned the parking lot out of habit as he walked toward the building. All clear.
The shop was all white walls and polished wood, with pops of lavender and green. Multiple containers of loose leaf teas were arranged on one wall. Sachets and boxes lined another. Tiny round tables dotted a long cushioned bench that ran the length of the shop. Soothing music played softly. Everything about the shop projected a sense of calm.
Noah inhaled the faint scent of spice and his mood rapidly improved. He grinned at Slater. "Thisisnice."
