Chapter 6 River
River
The hum of fluorescent lights and the faint trickle from the showers echo through the locker room as I pull off my jersey and run a towel over my sweat-drenched face.
Steele, Knox, Oliver, Jax, and Laiken are mid-conversation about this weekend’s game when Zane strolls into the locker room with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Some of you really need to step it up out there,” he announces. “This is supposed to be a team effort.”
Steele glares before crossing his arms in front of him. “Is there anyone in particular you’d like to call out? Or is this more of a general statement?”
With a shrug, Zane whips off his towel. “Just saying. Unlike some of you clowns, I’ve got a lot riding on us winning a Stanley this year.”
“Thanks for the pep talk, bud. Maybe after you hang up your skates, you can consider the motivational speaking circuit,” Knox throws out with a shake of his head.
“How about you focus on yourself for a change instead of what the other guys are doing on the ice,” Laiken adds.
“I think he’s already a little too focused on himself,” I mutter.
Jax snorts. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Zane catches sight of me and grins. “Yo, Riv. Any interest in coming out with Gigi and me tonight? We’re gonna hit a few clubs.”
“Nah.” Spending any more time with Zane than I have to isn’t even a consideration.
He rolls his eyes and whines. “Come on, man. When did you become so lame?”
When I realized what a dickhead he was. Admittedly, I was a little late on the uptake. I should have seen it sooner.
Undeterred by my silence, he claps me on the shoulder.
“You probably already heard the big news.” Before I can tell him that I don’t give a damn about his announcement, he continues, “Gigi and I are getting hitched. The network’s throwing some serious money our way.
We’re talking a wedding special, ten episodes, international honeymoon.
And they’re paying for everything. Shit’s gonna be epic. And you need to be there for it, man.”
My stomach twists as the full weight of his words sinks in. “Wait a minute, you’re getting married?”
It takes effort to keep my voice even.
He grins like this is the greatest thing to ever happen to him. “Hell, yeah. Didn’t you hear me, bro? They’re paying for everything.”
There’s no she’s the love of my life.
Or I seriously can’t wait to marry her.
It’s all about the dollar signs.
Does he even give a damn about this woman?
Or is she just part of the next big content drop?
The fact I even have to ask that question says it all.
The only thing I can think about is the woman he left behind.
The one who’s still picking up the pieces of her life.
I shift on the bench, pulse ticking faster. “Does Callie know?”
He waves a hand like it’s nothing before yanking on a pair of tighty-whities. “Yup, I stopped by her place last night. I thought it was the right thing to do, you know? She took it well. I think she’s finally over it.”
My jaw clenches.
How is he this much of a turd?
“And I figured I’d talk to her about cutting the child support too,” he adds casually. “Things are tight. You wouldn’t believe the cost of a wardrobe for the show. You’d think these companies would be vying for me to wear their brands on a national TV show. It’s seriously insane.”
That comment has me seeing red as I swing toward him and cock my head, praying I heard him incorrectly. “I’m sorry… You asked her to do what?”
Zane blinks, his stupid smirk still in place. “Relax, man. She’s fine. That girl always lands on her feet. It’s what I love about her. All these people around me want to take, take, take. But not Callie. She wants to stand on her own two feet. Gotta appreciate that.”
I shove my pads into my stall with more force than necessary. “You realize that she’s barely scraping by, right?” I snap. “And you’re out here blowing six figures on a televised circus and your entourage?”
Zane straightens, the smugness falling from his expression as defensiveness flashes in his eyes. “What I spend is none of your damn business, Thompson.”
“The hell it isn’t.” I step forward, fists clenched at my sides. “You don’t show up for Nora or help Callie out at all. And now you want to take even more away from them?”
His eyes narrow. “Did Callie put you up to this?”
“No, but she damn well deserves someone who actually gives a shit about her. Both of them do.”
Knox wedges himself between us before it can turn into a full-blown brawl. “Whoa. How about we cool things down,” he says, holding me back. “This isn’t the time or place.”
“Callie and Nora are my business, not yours,” Zane adds.
Adrenaline pounds through me as I shake off my teammate. I’m not even sure why I’m bothering with this guy.
He doesn’t get it.
And it’s doubtful he ever will.
He’s too focused on himself.
“Maybe if you took care of your business, I wouldn’t have to step in and do it for you.” Instead of waiting for a response, I grab my bag and stalk out of the locker room.
If Zane won’t step up for Callie, then I will.
There’s no way I can continue to stand by and watch her struggle.
The question isn’t if I’ll help.
It’s how.