Page 107 of Powerless
“Yes, Coach.” I steel my features, trying not to give away that I really wanted to play tonight. Right now, if possible. I had hockey pushed out of my mind. Didn’t feel like I needed it, didn’t miss it, because my brain was too full of grief and self-pity. But now? Now my fingers itch with it.
With a nod, I turn to walk back out the doors to where Sloane is waiting safely in my SUV.
“Hey, Gervais?”
Roman’s words turn me around right as I near the metal push bar on the exit door. “Yeah?”
He gestures at his head. “Where’s your hat?”
I blink once, putting his question together. I reach up and run a palm over my hair to check for it. Wearing my team hat has been a part of my identity for the better part of my life.
“I don’t know. I guess I forgot to put it on.”
The man quirks his head at me and smiles before walking away.
I told him the truth that time. When we got ready, I didn’t even think about putting my hat on this morning.
I guess I didn’t feel like I needed it.
30
Sloane
Cade:Want to come over for a delicious home-cooked meal tonight? Would love to see you!
Jasper:Why are you talking all weird like that?
Cade:Like what?
Jasper:Nevermind. I’ll ask Sloane.
Cade:Are you guys banging yet?
Jasper:Jesus, Willa. Give Cade his phone back.
“No.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare at Sloane from the driver’s seat of my Volvo.
“Yes.” She tips her chin up.
“I’m not staying in the fucking car like a little kid, Sloane.”
“Listen, you got to deal with your shit. I need to be the one to deal with mine.”
I groan and run a hand over my face. “You’re making me sound like some sort of domineering asshole.”
“If the shoe fits,” she says and flattens her lips, giving me a little shrug.
I tip my head back. “I just want you to be safe. I don’t like Woodcock. I don’t trust him.”
“He’s probably not even home.” She glances out the passenger window at the tall glass building over her shoulder. “It’s the middle of the afternoon and he’s a workaholic.”
“And if he is?”
“And if he is, then that’s a conversation I’ll have with him. I don’t need you standing there snorting like an angry bull behind me.”
“I’ll wait outside,” I concede.
“Outside the building?”
