7. Zack
CHAPTER SEVEN
zack
“It’s fucking good to be back here.” Nate flops down next to me on the bench, tilting his water bottle up as he squirts his face between heavy breaths. We finished doing tight turn drills, giving pointers to some of the rookies, and this is the first break we’ve had all morning.
“You were here last week with Bax.” I give him a playful smack on the back. “You never left.” It does feel good to be back. This is my first official practice with the guys after being traded so late last season. I’m still getting used to this practice arena, but any ice feels like home.
“You know what I mean, man. It’s good to be back here formally. And Bax is kicking ass out there.”
Coach has some of our teammates doing one-on-one start-and-stop races, and Bax is blowing everyone away.
That kid can skate. We watch as he takes on his next opponent.
Coach blows the whistle, and Bax explodes forward off the hash mark, pulling far ahead of his opponent.
He brakes at the blue line, sending a spray of ice through the air.
He bursts forward, easily getting to the puck at the top of the circle before the other guy even gets close.
Bax swiftly skates toward the net and scores with a slapshot.
Ice sprays as he comes in for the final stop.
“Looks like your practice time with him has paid off. You’re a rookie whisperer.” I wave my hands over Nate’s head like I’m harnessing his powers.
Nate shakes his head, gesturing toward Bax. “Nah, the skating’s all him. I’ve just been letting him practice taking shots off me.”
“Once he builds up his confidence he’ll be unstoppable.” I watch Bax skate toward the boards, taking a moment to catch his breath.
Nate shifts on the bench, turning to face me. “So…the state park…” He lifts a brow before swallowing down a gulp of water. When I don’t say anything, he crosses his arms and stares at me.
My head cocks, giving him a smirk. “I didn’t hear a question.” Nate’s a man of few words, and I like to give him shit.
“Clearly that was my way of getting you to talk about it, dumbass.” He nudges me with his shoulder. “You haven’t brought her up today, but you’re also unusually chipper, so...”
“I seem chipper because you’re a grump.” Nate rolls his eyes with a groan.
“Operation Get Evvy To Talk To Me…” My shoulders sink as I rub my temples, mustering up the deepest sigh I can manage.
I peer over at him and his mouth is hanging open.
Got him. “…is going fan-fucking-tastic.” I slap my hands down on the bench, drumming it with excitement.
“She ate lunch with me three times last week. It was at her job, so she kinda had to be there, but it’s something. ”
Nate elbows me in the ribs, making me wince. “You’re an ass! I was afraid to ask and then you go and make me regret it.”
“You set me up perfectly for it, so I couldn’t resist. If it wasn’t going well, you’d know.”
“And three lunches? Wow, you move fast. Only three weeks to get her to eat with you? Two more years and maybe you’ll get to hold hands.” Nate lets out a rumbling laugh and I spray him with my water bottle. “Hey! Watch it!”
“You think you’re so fucking funny. Hahaha,” I mock. “But seriously, it’s more than I expected. And she hasn’t run away yet, so that’s a major win.”
“I’m glad it’s going well. I’m still not sure what your end goal is, but at least you seem happy.” His lips turn up into a small smile. “Now that hockey is starting back up you’re going to need a new tactic. You can’t deliver coffee daily.”
“You really underestimate me. I’ve already got it covered.” I pretend to dust off my shoulders and blow the imaginary dirt off my hands.
Nate gives me a questioning look. “Do I even want to know?”
“I paid a state park employee to deliver her coffee and candy today.”
Today is technically day two of training camp, but the first day was mostly medical stuff.
I had plenty of time yesterday to swing by the state park and drop off Evvy’s treats, but I didn’t get to see her.
Setting up a delivery for today has to have been one of my most brilliant ideas ever.
I started a tradition and I’m not about to stop it anytime soon.
If I’m out of sight, then I’m out of mind, but that’ll be impossible every time she gets a little care package from me.
I also convinced the employee to give me Evvy’s phone number.
While I’m happy the season is starting soon, it’s also bittersweet.
Evvy was finally starting to open up to me again and now I’ll barely get to see her.
It’s a massive shock to my system to go two days without seeing her after being together every day for the past three weeks.
It was for tiny moments, sure, but it was better than nothing.
I need to remember this is temporary. Last time it lasted thirteen years, and I’ll never let that happen again.
It can’t happen again.
I pull out my phone, a phone I definitely shouldn’t have on me during practice, and read my texts from Evvy again. I contacted her right before practice started, and it’s taking so much self-restraint to only occasionally sneak a peek at our conversation.
Me: Did you like your delivery this morning?
Evvy: Delivery?
Me: Cold brew and candy corn…did you not get it?
Evvy: Sorry, wrong number.
Me: You know it’s me, Evvy.
Evvy: “Me” could be anyone.
Me: Zack.
Evvy: Hmmm doesn’t ring a bell.
Me: The guy whose face you missed seeing this morning.
Evvy: Definitely doesn’t ring a bell.
Me: The guy who brings you delicious coffee and candy corn.
Evvy: Him? Oh, wait…nope, no clue.
Me: The guy who annoyingly volunteered at your work until you agreed to talk to him again and slowly worked his way up to eating lunch with you even though you’re still kind of annoyed with him.
Evvy: Oh, THAT Zack. Hi.
Me: Miss me?
Evvy: Suddenly I don’t remember who I’m texting.
Me: You know you miss me a little bit.
Evvy: Define a little?
Me: As much as you’d miss Halloween if it were canceled.
Evvy: Nice try. Halloween is THE best holiday.
Me: As much as you’d miss horror movies if you could never watch them again.
Evvy: Wayyyy less. Try again.
Me: As much as you’d miss the library if it closed forever.
Evvy: Wow. So far off.
Me: As much as you’d miss your shoelaces if they weren’t there when you need to tie your shoes.
Evvy: Less.
Me: As much as you’d miss cream in your coffee.
Evvy: You know I don’t use cream, so I’d say that’s accurate. Ding ding ding we have a winner!
Me: I miss you too. Got to go. Practice is starting.
Evvy: Who’s this? :)
Me: You think you’re so funny, Halloween girl.
“What’s with the dopey smile? And since when are you bribing government employees?” Nate motions at my face.
“Gotta do what I gotta do.” I shrug, throwing my hands up.
“You seriously paid someone?” Nate shakes his head. “Isn’t that a little much?”
“Do you think?” I was hoping it would be a nice surprise, but is it possible she’s actually pissed?
I sink my face into my hands. I hadn’t really considered that possibility before this moment.
I thought she was joking in her texts, but maybe I’m reading this wrong.
“Is it too creepy? Did I fuck up? I fucked this up, didn’t I?
” Evvy is as independent as a cat, making her tattoo a little too on the nose.
If I overstep, she could spook easily and push me away again.
“Chill out! I’m sure it’s fine, but you are so far gone, my friend. So far gone. It’s kinda gross.” He purses his lips.
“I can’t wait to give you shit when you meet someone someday.” Nate is a quiet guy, especially around women, so I may be waiting a while.
“Such a great friend.” He chuckles.
Our break is interrupted as Marsh skids to a stop nearby. “Haven’t you two been sitting long enough? Get your asses back out here. Bax is following me like a lost puppy. It’s your turn now.”
“But he’s your puppy,” I say, stepping out onto the ice. Marsh gives me a shove before skating away.
* * *
“Shayle, over here! Now!” Coach Beryl shouts, waving at me from the opposite end of the ice. I’ve been skating all morning, so I can’t possibly be in trouble. It’s never a good feeling to be yelled at by the coach, especially being new to the team.
He motions for me to come closer with one hand while holding his cell phone in the other. “I know about your volunteer side project. My friend at the state park filled me in on everything.” He pinches the bridge of his nose.
Oh shit. Management has no problem with volunteer work. They usually actively encourage it, but they probably aren’t thrilled about me doing manual labor and climbing ladders so close to the start of preseason.
“I…I just…fuck. I’m sorry.” My weight shifts to one skate as I lean against the boards.
“Zack, I need you to listen,” he says with a sigh.
“I don’t care about any of that. I don’t need to know about your love life, but I saw your interaction with that geologist, and I’m assuming that’s why you’ve been going there every day.
” His expression softens with no visible sign of anger, so I guess I’m not in trouble.
“She’s important to me, Coach.” I pull off my helmet and run a hand through my hair.
“I don’t need details. But I wanted to let you know, I just got a call from my friend. A tree fell on her cabin a few minutes ago.” He studies me, eyes full of concern. “It was the wind…”
My legs turn to jelly as all the air escapes my lungs. “Is she…is she okay?”
“I’m sorry, Zack. I don’t have any other information. It just happened.” Coach puts his hand on my shoulder as I peer up at him.
“I have to go.” Fuck training camp. They can fine me for all I care. I need to get to Evvy.