Page 47 of Interference
Truth is, now that I’m back on the ice, I’m still afraid I’ll hurt myself again. I don’t want to let my teammates down.
Coach shakes his head. “Brett, despite your protests to get on the ice before today, you’re good. You’ve spent every day in the gym, getting your daily workouts in with the boys. The only thing you haven’t done is had ice time, but I’m sure that it will come back to you like riding a bike. You got this as long as you don’t get in your own way.”
Rubbing my jaw, I think about what Emery said. If this is my last season, I might as well play and go out on my own terms.
“You think I’m ready?”
“Kid, you are more ready than the freshmen I’d be replacing you with. You got this.”
“Okay, then yeah. I’ll do it.” I nod.
Coach slaps my shoulder and smiles. “Good. Now get out of here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Leaving him behind, I head toward the locker room where Kellan and Wyatt wait. They look up as I step inside. Both of them have wet hair from already running through the shower.
“Everything okay?” Wyatt asks.
“Yeah.” I look around the room to make sure no one is listening. “Coach wants me to start.”
“Fuck yes!” Kellan shakes his fist in the air as he smiles.
“Excited much?” I ask, raising a brow.
“I mean, someone’s got to be. Now hurry up and shower. We need to head back to the house.” Kellan smirks at me.
“Everything okay?” I ask, wondering why he is so eager to get back there.
Kellan nods. “Yeah, but Cora said she has a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” I ask hesitantly.
“You’ll find out soon enough. Now hurry the hell up.”
Wyatt chuckles under his breath as I strip.
I take a quick shower and change.
“Ready?” Wyatt asks as he gets up from the bench.
“Yeah.”
I pull my phone out of my bag and check it. My heart sinks when I see no new notifications.
Dammit.
I was hoping she would have texted me by now. I almost always text her first, but it doesn’t stop me from hoping she might turn things around on me.
It’s fine. I’ll text her when I get back to the house and see what she’s up to. Figure out what she wants for dinner, then go see her.
When we exit the arena, I head toward my car while Kellan and Wyatt head to his. I never ride with them anymore in case Emery needs me.
Before I get in the car, Kellan points at me. “Head straight home. No stops.”
“Okay…”
I get into my car and wait for him to pull out. On the drive home, I follow Kellan, feeling nervous about what surprise Cora might have. I love the girl like a sister, but she’s a bit of a firecracker. She could have wrapped my entire room in plastic wrap for all I know.
Before I know it, we are pulling up outside of our house.
