Page 52 of Game Winner
“He better not be a dick to you about it. If he is, let us know.” Sage may be smaller than the rest of us, but he’s feisty and fierce when it comes to someone hurting his friends.
I grab the water bottle again, twist it open, then chug the contents. Backups play about twenty percent of games while the starters play about eighty, so it’s not like he played much when Pierre was here. “He’s been okay to me so far. He’s probably as hungry to play as I am.”
There’s only eight games left in the regular season, followed by however far we get in the playoffs. With each game and practice, I intend to prove that I deserve to be guarding the net for the team.
“His contract is done after this season and you’re the better goalie. The organization invested a lot in you, so you’re not going anywhere.” Sage bats at the spinner again and again, not giving it time to slow down. “I think you’ll be a Metro full-time next season, backing up Pierre.”
Nils essentially told me the same thing when we had lunch today, and he’s privy to conversations us players aren’t. While I’m happy I’ve reached my dream, it’s not the fireworks, confetti, and parade kind of feeling I thought it would be. It’s downright anticlimactic. I press the heel of my hand to my chest. And I’m okay with that. Hockey, still a very important thing, isn’t themostimportant thing anymore. My relationship with Bax and Tyler takes that spot.
Morgan tosses me a controller. “Play. I miss our road trip battles.”
We get the game started, and I take Remy’s place on the bed, laughing and doing whatever I can to get in Morgan’s way. My orange gargoyle faces off against his neon green goblin. Goofing off and unloading with these guys is what I needed.
As I unleash a fireball at Morgan’s goblin, my phone rings.
Clamoring to get to it, I drop the controller, and Morgan takes advantage of that, hitting my gargoyle with a blast that knocks him off course so his goblin can capture the treasure.
“It’s Tyler.” Remy grabs the phone from the table. He hits the button to open the video call as he passes the phone to me and somehow screencasts the call to the TV. “Oops, well it’s a group chat now. Hey guys.”
On the screen, Bax and Tyler sit together on the couch in Tyler’s room. They both look worn out. With his messy hair and lines on his face, Bax looks as distressed as the Metros tee stretching across his chest. Tyler huddles beside him wearing a zippered hoodie I stuck in his room the day he arrived. His sling is missing. My fingers itch to reach through the screen and touch them.
Tyler’s eyes widen as he takes us in. The dark circles under his eyes aren’t any better today. The only comfortable position for sleep is sitting up, but being in that position keeps waking him up. “Hey, all of you. I wasn’t expecting to see everyone.”
Everyone waves and says hello, and I raise my hand to hush them. “How was the X-ray?”
“My shoulder’s healing well. The doctor gave me some gentle rehab exercises, but I won’t be cleared for anything more strenuous for at least a few more weeks. He said I can ditch the sling, and just wear it when I need extra support, so that’s good. What are you all doing?”
“We’re playing Gargoyles Gateway.” Morgan waves his controller. “Your new controller came, right? Get on and play with us. Bax, you can use his old one.”
Tyler opens his mouth then closes it, and I’m afraid he’s going to say no. Then he sends a sideways glance to Bax. “You up for it?”
“Why not?” He stifles a yawn, the shadows under his eyes nearly as dark as Tyler’s. I’m glad we’re heading home tomorrow so I can be there for both of them.
I want to ask if he’s heard anything resembling an apology from Layne, but he’d tell me if he had. “Let’s play. Watch out for Morgan. And Remy.”
“Not Sage?” Bax’s lips lift in a genuine smile.
Sage shakes his head. “I’m only here to cheer people on, and cause mischief for the right price. You want me to take one of these guys out?” He mimes pushing Remy to dislodge the controller. “It’ll cost you a trip to the music store with me.”
Bax sits up straighter, looking more alert. “Oh, that’s easy. I’ll take you up on that.”
Laughing, I grab my controller and settle between Morgan and Remy. Sage being a menace, not at all his usual role, to make my guys smile means a lot, and I’ll happily sign on for a trip to the music store and buy him whatever vintage record he wants as a thank you.
As we wait for Bax and Tyler log in to the game, I move the call back to my phone so I can see them as we play.
Nils said opening up my world to Bax and Tyler helped elevate my game. I’m happier, more relaxed, and with hockey, I finally have what I’ve wanted. Outside of hockey, I do too. I only wish I could do for them what they’ve done for me.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
TYLER
Not ready yet.
The doctor’s words play over and over in my mind as the streets of Saint Paul roll by the car’s window. Huddled in Soren’s hoodie and coat, I gaze at the houses and people and signs of spring. Beside me, Soren has his gaze on the road and his right hand resting on my thigh as he chats with Bax in the back seat about our flight to New York tomorrow.
They accompanied me to my appointment, and I’m glad for their support, especially since I didn’t hear the answer I wanted.
The first round of the playoffs starts next week, and I won’t be there to help the Metros or the Slash.
