43. Zack
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
zack
Brent holds open the door for me as we exit the training center, stepping into the bright mid-day sun. The hours of sunlight are getting shorter each day, so it’s nice to have some unseasonably warm weather this late in October. It hits even better on a Monday after a fantastic weekend.
We skated for a few hours this morning, in preparation for our first home game tomorrow.
Coach announced that Bax is moving up to the first line.
He was fucking thrilled, and I’m so happy for him.
He’s talented, and put in the work, so he deserves it.
Knowing I’ll have Brent on my left and Bax on my right makes me feel better going into tomorrow's game against Boston.
We make our way toward my truck and I hear a car door slam nearby. My eyes dart toward the location of the sound, and zero in on the six-foot-one, lying sack of shit staring back at me.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I shout. How dare he fucking show up here after everything he’s done.
“The game’s tomorrow and I figured it’s better we do this now, rather than on the ice.” He crosses his arms and leans against his tiny-ass sports car that’s parked way too close to my truck.
“I have nothing to say to you. As far as I’m concerned, you no longer exist.” I move toward my truck but Jeff throws up his arm, blocking me.
“Cut the crap, Shayle.”
“Get your fucking hands off me.” I’m about to shove him off when Brent does it for me, stepping between us.
“Leave now!” Brent demands.
Jeff doubles down, like he’s got nothing to lose. “You’re going to let a woman come between you and your best friend? She doesn’t love you. She just wanted to bag a hockey star.”
“What the fuck did you just say?” I step toward him again but feel a hand on my shoulder. Only, it’s not Brent because he’s still in front of me.
“Get the fuck out of our town,” Nate growls from behind me. “Pretentious assholes who fuck with their friends aren’t welcome here.”
I spot Bax and Marsh in my peripheral vision, flanking either side of me.
“You think I messed with his life? The only reason he’s here is because of me. He wouldn’t even be playing in the NHL if it weren’t for me.” Jeff scoffs.
“You can’t be for real right now,” Bax chimes in. “Zack’s the best center in the league and you’re…nothing. You’re lucky you’re even on a team.”
Jeff takes a step toward Bax, but Marsh shoves him back toward his car, with a palm to his chest.
“This idiot was going to throw his entire career away to chase a fucking woman who couldn’t give two shits about hockey.
She would’ve latched onto anyone just to feel included and get some cash.
You were talking about leaving Canada because you were worried you couldn’t be together.
You were a lovesick fool, completely deluded, and about to ruin your entire life.
You should be glad I saved you from yourself! ”
“Don’t you dare talk about my fucking wife that way.”
Jeff barks out a laugh. “Last I checked, Evvy’s not your wife.”
“She would have been by now if you hadn’t fucked with us!
Paper or not, she’s my whole world and you tried to destroy us.
It didn’t work. Don’t ever let me hear you speak her name again!
You don’t deserve to say it. I suggest you leave before you run your mouth again.
I’m not responsible for what happens to you next when you start talking shit. ”
Jeff takes a swing and I duck. Marsh catches his fist and shoves him back toward his car. “Leave!”
The door to the training center flies open, and Coach Beryl runs out. “What the hell’s going on out here?”
“He was just leaving,” Nate says through gritted teeth.
“Showing up at another team’s practice center isn’t a good look, Vanderthorne.” Coach stands by my side.
“Practices are open to the public.” It shouldn’t surprise me that Jeff has the audacity to argue with an opposing team coach.
“I suggest you leave now before I call the league to report spying. Recording practice is frowned upon.”
Go Coach!
“I didn’t even step foot in the fucking building!”
“You sure about that? That’s not how I’ll remember it. Leave!” Coach Beryl raises his voice.
“This isn’t over.” Jeff scoffs as he slides into his clown car and slams the door.
We watch as Jeff peels out of the parking lot, then all stare at Coach, frozen in disbelief.
Coach Beryl narrows his eyes, looking like he’s about to shoot laser beams at us. “Whatever that was, drop it. It better be squashed before the game tomorrow.”
“He ruined Evvy and Zack’s lives,” Bax explains.
“The guy’s a piece of shit,” Nate adds.
“I’m well aware of what kind of person Jeff Vanderthorne is, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re all under contract and represent the Maine Meteors. We have a game tomorrow and this can’t affect how you play on the ice. Am I understood?”
“Yes,” we say in a chorus of grumbles.
“That goes for tomorrow on the ice, but whatever happens after the game is none of my business, as long as you don’t end up on the news.
I’m sure Josie would go after you herself, and that would be punishment enough,” Coach Beryl says with a laugh, before turning on his heels and disappearing back into the building.
“Did he just give us permission to beat Jeff up after the game?” Bax asks.
“Sounded like it,” Marsh says.
“I always knew there was something I liked about him.” Nate chuckles.