GRANT #2
“Are you telling me you’d eat something you don’t like so I’ll feel better?
You’re not a pushover, Green. I’m disappointed.
” I jump when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
I pull it out, hoping to see an update on Riley, but it’s just another request from a shitty fan-run hockey channel asking me for details about last night. “Assholes,” I grumble.
“What’s wrong?” Amelia drops her gaze to my phone. “Is it Riley?”
“No. Stupid people on the internet who think I’m going to make a comment about my teammate’s injury.
The Stars haven’t released a statement yet, but ESPN has been running coverage nonstop since it was leaked that a player was in the hospital.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there were people lined up outside our buildings, waiting to get a story they can sell to a gossip site.
” I sigh and push my glasses up my nose.
“Which means I shouldn’t go outside, and you definitely shouldn’t go outside.
The last thing I need is Coach dragging my ass into his office and asking why you’re at my apartment. ”
“You’re telling me we’re going to order takeout, eat on the balcony, and shut out the rest of the world?” She grins. “Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate a Stanley Cup champion.”
“You’re being too nice,” I say.
“This is what friends do, Grant. One day when I need you, I know you’ll be there for me.” Amelia taps her phone, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. “Hurry up and pick something to eat. If not, I’m feeding you cheese-covered watermelon against your will.”
“Now who’s bossy?” I walk to the stool next to her and sit. Our knees touch, but she doesn’t pull away. “Tell me, Green. How are we feeling about burgers?”
An hour later, we’re on the balcony.
The table is covered in food boxes, and I hand Amelia silverware. She passes me a bottle of water, and all is right in the world.
“I might have gone overboard.” I scoot the mozzarella sticks so they’re between our plates. “Hope you’re ready to eat eight servings, Lia.”
“I, for one, love a reheated fried pickle.” She pops one in her mouth and smiles. “Was there anyone waiting outside your building?”
“Nope. Bryson, the lobby security guard, scared everyone away. He told reporters that if they come within fifty feet of the property, he’ll have them arrested for trespassing.”
“I need to remember to stay on Bryson’s good side.”
“Bring him some Airheads, and you’ll be his favorite person in the world.”
“Noted.” Amelia bites into her burger and sighs.
“Jude, the head coach for the Goldminers, texted me about Riley. I didn’t share any private information with him.
Just agreed when he said that if this had happened to one of his players, he’d go after the driver who hit them and make sure they paid for what they did. ”
“Last night, all we cared about was Riley. Now that the dust has settled, I’m tempted to go down to the police station.
I want to see if that fucker has posted bail, and I want to bash his face in.
” I stop with a french fry halfway to my mouth.
“That makes me sound like I’m violent and can’t regulate my anger, but I’m—”
“I’d do the same.” Amelia puts her hand on my arm. “If someone hurt my best friends, it would unleash a very angry side of me too.”
“I know Riley is alive. I know he’ll walk again, but what about hockey?
That’s his life. That’s all of our lives.
Take that away from us, and what are we?
A bunch of dumb jocks with drinking problems?
His accident is making me reflect on what the hell I’m doing with my life. Am I even doing enough?”
“You’re doing more than enough, Grant. You’re someone’s hero.
You’re an incredibly gifted athlete who volunteers in his community.
You make a difference, and, yeah, it might be because you hit a puck, but that’s not all you’re good at.
” She keeps her hand on me. I want a tattoo of what her fingers look like pressing into my skin.
“There are ways to be involved in the sport without picking up a stick. Look at me; I’m not on the ice every night, and I love the game more now than I did when I played. ”
“Really?” I ask.
“It’s a different kind of love, but, yeah. I do. There are going to be opportunities for Riley away from the ice. Scouting, coaching. And those positions are just as valuable and important as being a player.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
“What?” Amelia snorts and grabs a container, taking out a pretzel bite. “No, I’m not.”
“You are. You’re so easy to talk to. I don’t have to be the strong guy who can’t show any emotion. I’m allowed to be a broken fucking mess.”
“Grant.” Her face softens. “You can be anything with me. Broken, totally mended. It doesn’t matter. I’m not going anywhere. The thing about being friends is we’re going to go through highs and lows. But we’ll find a way to the other side together.”
“I missed you,” I mumble. “I missed you so fucking much, Lia. I’m not allowed to miss you, but I did. Last night taught me life is too short, and I need you to know how much you mean to me.”
“I missed you too,” Amelia whispers. “I don’t ever want to go without talking again. You’re the best part of all of my days, Grant, and I hated being away from you.”
We don’t say much after that.
We don’t need to.
She’s still in my life, and that’s all I’ll ever need.