Page 6 of Interference
“You need to get out there sooner rather than later,” Coach says as he comes up next to me, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“I’m not sure I’m ready.”
Coach sighs deeply. “You are, son, you’re just scared.”
“I’m not scared,” I lie.
I am scared. I’m fucking terrified.
“You are, and we both know it.”
“My leg doesn’t feel quite right yet.”
He shakes his head. “Brett, you were cleared by not only our doctors and staff but yours as well. The team physical therapists and the ones you hired have said you are ready. You’re scared, and that’s okay, but you need to overcome it. Otherwise, what the hell are you doing here?”
“I thought you liked my help,” I grit out, feeling trapped.
“You know I like your help. You’re good with the boys, and you know what you’re talking about, but you are even better on the ice. You are one hell of a player, Brett. I don’t want to see you go out like this. The ice is a cruel mistress. Sometimes you trip or get hurt, but sometimes you glide, and you just need to keep moving forward. You fell, but this is when you get up and come back stronger than ever.”
I get what he’s saying, I really do, but I don’t want to hear this motivational shit.
I’m not scared of getting on the ice. Not really, but when I’m here I can’t help but think about how much things have changed since I got hurt.
Not only did I lose out on a season, but I lost out on time with my boys. Yeah, I lived with and got to hang out with Beckett and Clay, but we never got to play our senior year together. They are gone now, drafted. Something we had planned on doing together but never got the chance. A small part of me feels robbed.
Even though Kellan and Wyatt are here, it’s not the same. They came after we did. They haven’t been here since the start.
Maybe a small part of me doesn’t want to get on the ice because I don’t want to play with a new team. Yeah, new guys come every year, but I’ve always had the guys from my year. It’s ridiculous, I know, but I can’t help it.
Coach slaps my shoulder. “Just think about it, please.”
“I will.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him walk away as he blows his whistle.
Looking back at the ice, I watch Kellan and Wyatt move toward us. They have smiles on their faces as they bump into each other. I can’t help but wonder what they are talking about. What inside joke I’m missing out on.
I know if I asked, they would gladly include me, but I can’t find it in me to care. Not really.
Just another thing that’s changed.
I’m a fucking mess.
Once Coach is done giving his motivational speech to the team, Wyatt and Kellan head toward me.
“You let two get by you,” I say to Wyatt, who is the team goalie.
He scoffs. “You need to get your eyes checked, nothing got past me.”
“Touchy touchy,” Kellan teases, making Wyatt roll his eyes.
“Why am I friends with you guys?” Wyatt mumbles.
“Because we’re fucking awesome,” Kellan tells him before looking at me. “You want to skate around?”
I shake my head. “Nah, I’m not ready yet.”
The guys share a look. I brace myself for their judgment, only it never comes.
