Page 116 of Off The Rush
My heart races with anticipation – I know things could get ugly, but I also know that we’re doing this for the right reasons.
Suddenly, the doors to the rink burst open and our coach storms out, his face red with fury. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he bellows, scanning the group of us with a mixture of anger and disbelief. “Get your asses inside and play the game!”
“Sorry, Coach, but we can’t do that,” Miles replies calmly, despite the intensity of the situation. “Not when our teammates are being treated so unfairly.”
“Unfairly? You three brought this on yourselves!” Coach snaps, pointing an accusing finger at Luka, Alec, and me. “You knew the consequences of your actions, yet you chose to defy me anyway.”
I feel a surge of anger at his words, but I force myself to stay composed. This isn’t about proving him wrong – it’s about standing up for what we believe in. And right now, that means showing our support for Emma and our unconventional relationship.
“Coach, we understand that you’re upset,” Luka says evenly, his gray eyes steady as he meets Coach’s glare. “But we’re not backing down. Our team is united in this decision, and we won’t be playing today.”
The rest of our teammates nod in agreement, their faces determined.
“Fine, have it your way,” Coach spits, seething with rage. “But don’t expect any sympathy when this all blows up in your faces. Every single one of you have thrown away your chances at professional careers.”
He storms back into the rink, slamming the door behind him. The sound echoes through the air, leaving us standing in tense silence.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” Alec reassures me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’re doing the right thing.”
I take a deep breath, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, you’re right. We’re in this together, no matter what.”
“Damn straight,” Luka adds, a small smile playing on his lips as he glances at our teammates. “And it looks like we’ve got some pretty amazing friends backing us up too.”
Before I can respond, a car pulls up nearby, and the athletic director steps out. He looks from us to the entrance of the rink, confusion evident on his face.
“What’s going on here? Why aren’t you inside warming up?” he asks, approaching our group.
“Sir,” Liam speaks up, “we refuse to play without JD, Alec, and Luka. They’ve been unfairly suspended for something that has nothing to do with hockey.”
The athletic director frowns, concern etched into his features. “That’s quite a serious claim. Can you explain?”
“Coach suspended them because they’re all dating one girl,” another teammate pipes up. “It’s not against any rules, but he’s making it an issue.”
I watch as the athletic director’s expression shifts from concern to frustration. He seems fed up with the situation, and I can’t say I blame him.
“What about the fighting?” He asks.
“It was nothing out of the ordinary. We’ve never been suspended before,” Reed chimes in.
“Alright,” he says finally, addressing the entire team. “You will all play tonight. Luka, JD, and Alec are reinstated until I can conduct my own investigation into this matter.”
A wave of relief washes over me, and I share grateful glances with Alec and Luka. Our teammates erupt into cheers and high-fives, the air instantly lighter.
“Thank you,” I say to the athletic director, my voice thick with emotion.
“Save it for the ice,” he replies, his eyes fixed on the rink entrance. “Now get in there and show them what you’re made of.”
As we file into the arena, I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of determination. Together, we faced adversity and stood up for what was right. And now, it’s time to prove ourselves on the ice – not just for Emma, but for our team, our friends, and ourselves.
The moment we step into the rink, the atmosphere is electric. Our teammates clap each other on the back, their faces lit up with excitement and relief.
“Alright, let’s get ready!” I shout, my voice barely audible over the din. We quickly disperse to our respective lockers, each of us eager to don our gear and hit the ice.
As I start my pregame ritual, I pull out the necklace Emma gave me. It’s become my good luck charm, something that connects me to her even when she’s not here. I press a gentle kiss to the pendant, feeling the cool metal against my lips, before tucking it safely beneath my jersey.
But there’s one more thing I need before I can fully focus on the game – a selfie from Emma. She doesn’t know we’re playing tonight, and I want her to be a part of this moment. I turn to Alec and Luka, who are busy lacing up their skates.
“Hey, can you guys text Emma and tell her we’re playing? She needs to know.”
