Chapter 15
SWISH.
Swish.
Swish.
“Fuck me,” Tobias cried after yet another puck got past him, the swishing of it hitting the net mocking him.
He stood in his basement in front of a net on his artificial ice with a puck-shooting machine aimed at him, and with every puck he missed, he drifted closer to spiraling.
When the machine ran out of pucks, he didn’t even bother checking behind him to count how many had gotten through. His heart couldn’t take it.
Tobias’ stomach ached as he thought about the upcoming alumni game, only two months away. At this rate, he might as well not even show up.
He was rusty—after three years, anyone would be—but he didn’t expect to feel so out of place. He thought of the net as his home for so many years, and now it was like an alien land.
His reflexes weren’t what they used to be, despite still being on top of his game when he retired. He had to start over.
At least Tobias had kept up on his fitness, otherwise he’d have no chance of recovering his skills in time for the game.
He’d have to get on the ice at some point and have actual humans fire shots at him, rather than relying on the machine in his basement.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t get any practice on rebounds.
The rest of the guys on the alumni roster lived all over, so there weren’t any organized practices, but maybe he could find a game of shinny to play with a few of the other local guys.
He’d search for a pick-up game at a smaller rink, but playing with amateurs upped his risk of getting injured.
Maybe he’d take up Shane Kendrick on his offer and meet at the Inferno practice arena, or even shadow him on his training.
He was the current goaltender for Philly, after all.
Tobias’ eyes narrowed. He needed to shake off a bit more rust before embarrassing himself in front of Shane. For now, he could focus on his reflexes and timing.
He didn’t bother cleaning up the pucks as he left the ice and shed his gear, traipsing upstairs to find out what Madison and Gigi were up to.
Before he even got the chance to open his basement door, their laughter hit him like a warm hug.
Nothing was more important to him than keeping the women in this house happy, and their cheerful giggles were music to his ears.
He smiled at the creative chaos when he reached his living room. Beads were spread all over the coffee table as the two of them created new bracelets, Taylor Swift playing on the TV screen.
For a few minutes, he leaned against the wall and watched them work, giggling and singing together. This was exactly what he needed to keep in mind every time he hit the ice. He wanted to be the brave hero Madison thought he was, and the man his mom raised him to be.
Tobias made a vow to himself to do whatever he could to be ready for the alumni game because he wanted to make them proud.
Moving off the wall, he cleared his throat and sat on the floor on the opposite side of the coffee table.
“Oby! Did you have fun playing hockey?” Madison asked.
The question hit him like a freight train.
Did he have fun playing hockey?
It had been so long, he’d forgotten how fun it used to be. Maybe keeping that in mind would help with his training.
“Not as much fun as I have with you,” Tobias answered. “Can I make a bracelet too?”
“Yeah! I’m making one for Chase to give him the next time I go rock climbing. Do you think he likes the color red?”
Tobias smiled. “I bet he likes all kinds of colors. If you want, you could ask him the next time you see him.”
Madison narrowed her eyes before answering. “But then I can’t find out until we go rock climbing again. I need to know before we go so I can make the bracelet.”
It occurred to Tobias he’d never told Madison about Chase’s new job at his gym.
“Actually, he works at my gym now too, teaching yoga. I can text him if you want me to.”
“You get to see him at your gym too? You’re so lucky!” Madison squealed, then turned to her Gigi. “Chase is the coolest!”
His mom raised her brows in his direction before focusing on Madison.
“Yeah? What do you like about him, Maddie?” she asked.
“Chase is really nice and he’s handsome and he’s helping me get really good at climbing rocks so I don’t get hurt. And he believes in me!”
“Well, of course he does. You’re the best!” his mom said as she tickled Madison’s side, eliciting high-pitched giggles until she squirmed away.
“Can you text him and ask him what his favorite colors are? Please?” she begged, her pigtails bouncing along with her on the couch cushion.
“Sure, but he might not text back right away if he’s working,” Tobias said as he pulled his phone out of his pocket, checking the time. Chase wasn’t teaching at his gym, but he didn’t know his Cherrywood Boulders schedule.
TOBIAS: Sorry to bother you, but Madison would like to know what your favorite colors are.
“Okay, I texted him. I’ll let you know when he responds, okay?” Tobias said.
“Yay! Thank you! Could you tell him I said hi, too?” she asked. Tobias couldn’t hide his smile.
He thought maybe Madison had a little crush.
‘She’s not the only one.’
Urrrgh, not now.
TOBIAS: Also, she says hi.
“I told him you said hi, Maddie-moo.”
Madison smiled brightly and then returned to her work, until his phone buzzed on the table between them, Chase’s name popping up on his notifications.
“Is it him?” Madison asked, prompting a chuckle from his mom.
“Yup, let’s see what he says,” he said, then read aloud the text.
CHASE: Hi Madison! My favorite colors are red and orange. What are yours?
Madison immediately started hoarding the red and orange beads strewn around the table as she talked.
“Can you tell him I like purple best? But I like red too, just like Phil!” she said.
Madison adored Phil the Phoenix, the Inferno’s mascot. Maybe he could bring her to the alumni game so she could meet him in person. She’d go nuts.
TOBIAS: She said purple is her favorite, but she also likes red, like Phil the Phoenix.
CHASE: Those are good choices. Phil is the best. And what about Uncle Toby’s favorite colors?
TOBIAS: That’s not important.
CHASE: You’d probably say it’s black, since that’s what you usually wear. Although maybe you wear it so you don’t stand out. Your helmets were always bright red and orange, though, so maybe those are your real favorites.
TOBIAS: Your fanboy is showing.
Tobias tried to ignore the accuracy of Chase’s assessment. How had he pegged him so right? What he wouldn’t give for Chase to peg him some more.
CHASE: Maybe you like it. Do you want me to show you how big a fan I really am?
His heart raced as he considered Chase’s question.
‘You know you want to say yes,’ his thoughts shouted unhelpfully.
You’re supposed to help me make good decisions.
‘Well, you’re not listening to your heart or your dick either, so I thought I’d give it a try.’
Son of a bitch, I need a psychiatrist.
‘Also a good plan, but first let’s flirt with Chase.’
“What did he say?” Madison asked, interrupting his thoughts. She’d snuck from her spot across the table and stood over him to read his phone. He’d never been more thankful that Madison couldn’t read fluently yet. He was even more thankful she couldn’t read minds.
“Uh, he said purple and red are really good choices, and he likes Phil the Phoenix too,” he said, and Madison cheered.
“Is that all he said?” his mom asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Do you think he’s handsome too, Toby?”
His gaze bounced between his mom and niece, both of their eyes on him as they waited for his answer, his mom’s filled with amusement and Madison’s with elation.
“Sure, yeah, he’s a nice guy,” he sputtered.
“Could he come over to play with us sometime?” Madison asked, her bouncing intensifying as she awaited his answer.
Tobias didn’t mind how attached she’d become to Chase after such a short time, but he was also aware she didn’t have many friends her own age. It reminded him of Alyssa Malloy’s offer to have a playdate with Madison and her son Colin, and he made a mental note to text her next about setting it up.
“Uh, maybe, I would have to ask him,” he said, hoping to appease Madison for now.
He then remembered he’d said yes to joining the guys at the bar that night.
They were celebrating Riley and Josh finally getting together.
Those two had been so oblivious, Tobias had thought they were dating the whole time he’d known them.
Turns out, they both thought they were straight.
Idiots. But it deserved celebrating. And now he’d have to spend time with Chase outside of work and somehow manage to act professionally.
‘Fat chance.’
————————
Later that night, Tobias sat next to Chase around a table at Hero’s with the rest of the guys from the gym. A cover band was setting up, a crowd growing in anticipation. Good thing they got there early enough to grab food before it got overcrowded.
Cole raised his glass, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. Tobias wondered if Cole would burst if he went too long without attention.
“I want to say a few words in honor of the Gym Rat Pack’s first couple,” he said as he drew a deep breath. “To Josh and Riley, may you never run out of lube.”
Tobias couldn’t help the edge of his mouth quirking as the rest of the table broke out in laughter and cheers, and everyone clinked their glasses together.
“You say first couple like there’s gonna be more,” Garrett pointed out. “Who do you think is gonna be next?”
With every bit of strength he had, Tobias kept his gaze on his beer, pretending to read the label but not able to read a word of it through his racing thoughts.
He thought of what it would be like to be with Chase, physically, romantically, even platonically, but he also thought of the possible repercussions of messing things up with a new employee.
“Elena might join us during the summer break,” Cole said, and Tobias, for the first time ever, was thankful for him. “Then she can kick my ass in the gym and at home.”