Chapter 27
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SEVEN
brUCE
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Craig Nottingham: Okay, okay. I’ve got to admit…after that last game, McBride is going to kill it in this second round.
Todd Ferguson: I TOLD YOU HE WAS THE BEST GOALIE IN THE LEAGUE.
Craig Nottingham: Okay, that’s taking it too far.
Harry Johnson: Craig, if the Eagles win the cup this year, you’ll be eating your words.
Todd Ferguson: And I can’t wait to see it!
Craig Nottingham: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let’s just focus on winning round two for now.
“So, are we just not going to talk about what’s going on between you and Farrah?” Jackson asks.
I glance over from my spot on the couch to look at him. He’s watching me instead of the movie playing on my TV. I shrug. “What’s there to talk about? We’re friends.”
Jackson rolls his eyes. “Yeah, okay. So, I guess you decided to go for it and deal with the consequences from your captain later?”
I sigh. “Something like that.” My chest hurts at the reminder of how Remy will inevitably react when he finds out. And I do plan on him finding out, because this thing between me and his sister will last forever if I have my way. “I think I’m falling for her.”
Jackson nods, like he already knew, and I think back to seeing Farrah earlier this evening.
Am I still annoyed Noah interrupted our bathroom rendezvous? (there’s a sentence I never thought would go through my head.) Yes. But was it for the best so someone else didn’t catch us? Also, yes.
I would’ve parked around the corner after dinner and spent the rest of the evening in her apartment making up for lost time, but Jackson’s social worker called me about respite care the moment our plane landed earlier today. I enjoy spending time with him and knowing he’s safe, so I didn’t hesitate to accept.
I toss my phone far away from myself, so I’m not tempted to zone out again. We turned this movie on to watch it together, and he obviously noticed I wasn’t paying attention.
“Okay, man. Sorry for getting distracted. Let’s watch the movie. Which one did you pick again?”
An annoyed sigh comes from Jackson’s end of the sofa. “The Mighty Ducks. It’s been playing for forty minutes.”
“That’s one of my favorite movies!”
“I know, dumbass, that’s why I picked it.”
“Language, mister.” I raise an eyebrow. “Do all the chess club kids have potty mouths?”
He blows out a breath. “Oh yeah, we’re basically a bunch of gang members.”
I chuckle. “Buncha rebels, those chess guys.”
“You know it,” he teases. “Do you have popcorn?”
“Yeah,” I answer, beginning to push myself off the couch.
Jackson raises a hand to stop me. “Start the movie over, and I’ll get it. I think I know where it’s at.”
I sit back and smile, liking that he knows his way around and that he’s comfortable here. It’s also nice having him around, even though that meant I couldn’t get extra time with Farrah. I like that I’m not sitting home alone tonight.
I start the movie over, and soon Jackson comes back with a big bowl of popcorn, one can of sparkling water, and a can of Coke.
“Thanks, kid,” I say.
He holds up his can, and we tap the brims together.
“Now pay attention this time,” Jackson warns. “Maybe you can learn a thing or two from Greg Goldberg.”
Early the following morning, I drop Jackson off at school and then heading to an early morning skate. We have a two-day break before our first two games in the second round against the Texas Spurs. These two home games are our best chance to get ahead for round two.
And if we choke this round…we’re out.
As I arrive at the Eagles ice plex where our practices take place, I find myself looking forward to hanging with my teammates, and thankful there’s no more awkwardness between us.
For now. Those two words keep running through my head and taking away my joy, replacing it with a tight feeling of dread in my gut. This peaceful harmony between teammates is a vapor in time; it’s fleeting. And no matter what I do, I can’t ignore that fact.
My heart is feeling heavier when I walk inside our locker room to get my gear on. I’m going to need a hell of a romcom to get my head in the game on Wednesday. Maybe Farrah can come watch it with me…in my truck. Triple the luck.
I shake my head. That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever had.
I’m pulling on my padded shorts when Mitch strides into the room and stops in his tracks the moment he sees me. He glances around before crossing the room, each step manufactured with malice, and I’m gonna be honest—I’m terrified.
He stops right in front of me, his nostrils flaring. “Are you seriously trying to hide that you’re with Farrah? In the middle of playoffs?”
My eyes widen, and I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. “Wh—what?”
“Don’t lie to me, Noah tells his sister everything.”
I groan and slump down on the bench. “That brat owes me forty bucks.” Resting my elbows on my knees, I attempt to rub away the stress by pressing my fingers into my temples. “What am I supposed to do, Mitch? I think I love her.”
I glance back up and find that Mitch’s pinched expression relaxes—barely—at my admission. “Really? It’s not just a fling?”
My head whips up to glare at him. “Is that what you think of me? That I’d lead her on and use her?”
He drags a hand through his hair. “No. I don’t know. Damn it. I’ve just never seen you date anyone more than once. This is Remy’s sister , man. You better be sure you’re in it for the long haul.”
“I am. I swear.” I bring my hands up and bury my face in them. How have I mucked this up so bad? With a deep breath, I look back up at my teammate. “Over the last two years I’ve watched as all my friends found their person. I’ve watched you all fall in love and become better men for it. There hasn’t been one second where I’ve wondered if any of you missed being single. You guys are annoyingly happy. And your wives are all incredible, way too good for the lot of you. Do you really think I could have a front row seat to all of that and want to keep dating random woman after random woman? No way.”
Mitch narrows his eyes at me, but not in a menacing way, more like he’s contemplating what to say next. “All right. I get it. I mean, you’re going through life like normal, and then all of a sudden, on a random Tuesday, a woman walks into your life and changes everything.” He shakes his head like he’s remembering back to the day when he met Andie. “And you can’t stop thinking about her or picturing a future with her…it’s wild.” At some point while he was talking, my grumpiest teammate began to smile.
I smile back. “See? That’s Farrah for me.”
He rests his hands on his hips and blows out a long, deep breath. “I won’t say anything, seeing as we’re nearly halfway through the playoffs, but I hope you know what you’re doing.”
I sober at the reminder. “Me too, man. Me too.”