Chapter 31
Jabari
I wake up the next day, whistling a mindless tune. My date with Val was perfection, so nothing can ruin my day. I don’t even care that I’ll be sitting with the other injured players instead of on the bench ready to jump into the game.
My phone rings, and I answer it, hoping it’s Val.
“Hello?”
“Hey,” Val says hesitantly.
My brows raise at her tone of voice. “Everything okay?”
“Do you listen to Ice Moments?”
“Yeah, Dean and Blaze are hilarious.” Though it’s been a minute since I’ve listened to the all-things-hockey podcast. I don’t want to hear what the hockey world has to say about my condition.
“They were apparently talking about you last night since you released the statement. Then they showed a photo of us at Le Pavillon.”
“I didn’t even see anyone take a picture of us.” Of course you didn’t, Crank. Forget you don’t have the eyesight to spot fans and whatnot?
“Neither did I.”
“Do they know who you are?”
“I wouldn’t care if they did. That’s not the problem.”
I sink onto the bed. “What is?”
“Jackie saw.” Val pauses, then clears her throat. “She’s making a big stink with my family. I’m on my way back to DC to deal with the drama.”
The worst thing Jackie could do is create drama for Val. My peace-loving girlfriend just wants everyone to get along. Her sister, however, is about as attention seeking as anyone can get.
“Are you okay?”
“I will be. I have nothing to be ashamed of. Plus, maybe we can finally clear the air around your breakup with her.”
I wince. “I hate that I put you in this position.”
“You didn’t. Jackie’s lies did.”
Well, I can’t argue with that. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“Didn’t Morgan schedule you to meet with a bunch of donors?”
“Yeah, she did, but . . .” I run a hand down my face. “I want to do something, Val. I can’t let you face the dragons alone.”
“I love that you want to help, but trust me, this is for the best. I’ll go in, tell the truth, and then hopefully by the time you’re ready to be introduced as my boyfriend, they’ll welcome you with open arms.”
Boyfriend? Did she say boyfriend? “I’m ready now. I’ll even make a post about it if you’ll let me.” Nothing can wipe the sappy grin from my face. I’m gone over this woman, and I don’t even care.
A low giggle reaches my ears, and my chest swells. I’m glad she can laugh during a difficult moment like this. Val deserves the world, and I’ll do my best to give it to her.
“We can go public after I calm my family down. I just wanted you to know before I leave.”
“I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too,” she replies softly. “And I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
“Don’t be. I got to hold you in my arms.”
“I can’t believe you can make me blush even over the phone.”
I grin. “Mission accomplished, then.”
“I’ll call you later, ’kay?”
“Text when you get back home safely.”
“I will.”
The sound of the call ending reaches my ear, and I groan, falling backward onto the bed.
I have no idea what drama Jackie is stirring up, but it can’t be good.
Too bad some people don’t come with warning signs that they’re too selfish to be in a relationship.
If so, I would’ve steered clear, and nothing would prevent me from having a great relationship with Val.
As it is, I’m afraid she’ll get home, and one word from Jackie will have her ending this before it truly begins.
Val did say yes to a date despite Jackie. Surely that means something.
Noise sounds from the hall, and I press the button on my watch for the time.
I have about fifteen minutes before I need to be on the bus and ready to head to our next game in Jersey.
I grab my suitcase, thankful I’m already dressed, and toiletries already packed.
There’s no way I want to be left behind. Talk about catastrophic.
“Yo, Crank, got you a coffee.” Raimo’s voice sounds near my right as I enter the lobby, and I turn.
A cup comes into view in my periphery, and I latch on to it, dragging a long sip.
Unlike a lot of the guys on the team, I can’t drink the stuff black.
Give me creamer and sugar. When I need a cheat day, I’ll eagerly down a sugary Frappuccino.
I’ve always loved sweets, but keeping fit for hockey means I limit my intake.
Even though I’m not skating as much, I’m still limiting sugar.
If it weren’t for the iceplex near my place, I’d feel more aimless.
Being back on the ice has given me freedom and the ability to clear my head.
I don’t have to worry about my deteriorating eyesight because no one is on the ice with me.
Though someone did invite me to their pickup hockey game.
I had to be honest and tell them about my vision, but then they informed me it was a low-vision skate club.
I’m still thinking about the possibility.
“How was your date?” Raimo asks.
“Good.”
“That’s it. Good?” His Finnish accent is strong, emphasizing just how put-out he sounds.
“What more do you want me to say?”
“We don’t need to gossip like the women, but you can give me a little more to go on.”
I crack a smile. “She loved the restaurant. Took lots of pictures before we left.”
“Of the two of you or the plants?”
“Ha. The plants.” Though we did take a picture together—not that he needs to know that.
“Good, good. Maybe when we get back to DC, we can double-date.”
“Who’s double-dating?” Javier asks.
“Me, Steff, Val, and Crank.”
“What, I don’t get an invite?”
I’m not sure how these two guys ended up being really good friends, but I’m thankful for their antics. “Of course you do.”
“Good, because my fiancée loves Val.”
“You’re just going to keep saying that to remind everyone she said yes, aren’t you?” I ask. But I’m happy for the kid. Now that I’m dating Val, I want all the guys to have a healthy relationship.
“Until she’s my wife. Do you still refer to Steff as your wife whenever you can?” Javier asks Raimo.
“I mean, we’ve been married three years now, so I don’t marvel at it like I used to. But I still say it often. That or her nickname.”
“Whoa.” I hold up a hand. “We don’t need to get personal. If I find out you’ve been calling her your little bunny bear or something ridiculous, I don’t know if I can look at you the same way.”
“Good thing you can’t see me, then.”
“Ohhh,” Javier exclaims.
I hold in a laugh, feigning displeasure.
“Crank, you know I’m just joking, right?”
I let loose, and Raimo lets out an audible sigh.
“Don’t scare me like that.”
“You should’ve seen his face.” Javier snorts. “Looked like that time Coach heard him complain about practice.”
“Coach is scary. My face looked like that for a reason.”
“So what’s its excuse now?”
Javier snorts louder, but then Coach’s voice booms over everyone.
“Five minutes before the bus rolls out. I wait for no man so get a move on.”
We head down the hall, and soon the whole team is seated on the Warriors’ charter bus.
The blackout windows have the team symbol on them and the words Washington Warriors in blue.
I glance around the bus. Most of the faces are fuzzy, but I can pretty much guess the scene before me based off past rides.
Pascal is probably wearing noise-canceling headphones since he needs absolute quiet to fall asleep.
Raimo probably has Steff on the line since those two are inseparable.
Tae is probably watching a K-drama because he claims they’re the best stories.
Trevor is probably wearing shades and a neck pillow.
And the coaches are probably watching tape and dissecting the good and bad of last night’s game.
In the past, I’d alternate between watching tape or snoozing.
Now I need to relisten to the audio file Morgan gave me to ensure I can network properly with tonight’s donor.
It’s not exactly what I want, but I don’t know what I want once I retire.
I wish I could ask my mom what comes next, but I don’t want to sadden her.
Now that I think about it, maybe I’ve been leaning on Val way too much.
Though I’m friends with Javier and Raimo, we don’t often talk about the deep stuff.
Then I remember the moment in the locker room when Javier encouraged me to pray and let God know what I’m thinking. Could that work with retirement?
I swallow.
Hi. It’s me again. I’m not sure if You heard me the last time, but I’m going to trust Javier.
He knows You and believes You’ll listen to me and figure my life out.
But how? It’s such a mess right now. I can’t see like I want.
Val’s got drama with her family. It seems so .
. . chaotic. I just want some kind of assurance.
I wince. Is that fair? I’m pretty sure the only sure thing is death and taxes. Least, that’s what Mom always said growing up.
Okay, maybe not an assurance but more like a hope. I hope something good is coming my way because I’m drowning in the bad.
I stop praying. This is absurd. Why would God listen to me? I’ve been pretty adamant that I don’t need religion, and it seems hypocritical to try to pray when I’ve ignored the faith my entire life.
My head leans backward on the headrest, and I close my eyes. But even though I’m attempting to reach for my nothing box, Javier’s words echo in my head.
“God will listen and take care of the rest.”