Chapter 32
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
brUCE
I walk into the Eagles Arena with a Starbucks coffee in hand—black and boring, not the caramel mocha I wanted. The Eagles’ social media team snaps photos of me and I force a smile on my face. I may look sharp in my game day suit—a rich purple with a black shirt and tie—but I feel like trash. Farrah has completely stopped talking to me in the past twenty-four hours.
I can’t sneak over there when her entire family is visiting. And I haven’t had a minute to spare even if I could. This morning, we had an early skate, then I went to Jackson’s chess meet—which he won—and then I had to take a nap before the game. I realize most grown-ups don’t nap, but I always nap before a game, it saves my energy and it’s part of my routine. A pregame routine I don’t stray from. Especially not during the playoffs. Plus, I slept awful last night after worrying about Farrah. I finally texted Andie to see if Farrah was okay, and she said she’s probably just busy with her family in town.
But for almost a month, Farrah and I have been texting all day and late into the night…or we Facetime. It’s too strange for her to just outright ignore me. There’s more going on and it’s driving me crazy that I don’t know what it is and how to help.
I’ve been tense and on-edge all day, and I tossed and turned during my pre-game nap, which isn’t making me feel great about my performance tonight. I’m exhausted, stressed, and feeling off kilter as I walk past the photographers and into the dressing room.
I spot Remy as I enter the room, and instantly prickle when I see his frown. The moment my tired eyes meet my team captain’s something inside me snaps. That tightrope I’ve been walking on…it frays and comes undone. Just like my temper.
He doesn’t even smile at me when I cross the room towards him, which makes my temper flare even hotter.
This has to be Remy’s fault. He probably took her phone away like she’s thirteen and banned Farrah from talking to me.
By his expression, he’s obviously not happy. And in my exhausted and frustrated state of mind, I twist that into a reason to fight with him.
At this moment, my bitchy attitude wins out. I’m itching to stir up a fight, something a goalie rarely gets to do. I want to take out my frustration on someone, and who better than Remy? The man who’s been keeping me from the woman I love, whether he realizes it or not.
“Hey,” I say, my voice strained and irritated. I ignore the heads that snap toward us at me using a tone so rare for me. “What’s the deal?”
His dark eyebrows draw together. Ah, so he’s playing dumb. “What are you talking about?”
I step closer to him. He’s tall, but not as tall as me, and I like that he has to tilt his head slightly to look up at me.
“Why won’t Farrah talk to me?”
I hear a heavy sigh from somewhere behind me…it sounds like a Mitchy sigh.
Remy’s head snaps back like I hit him. “Why would Farrah be talking to you at all?”
My hands come up to rest on my hips. “Why wouldn’t she?”
“Because I made it clear you need to leave her alone.” His expression is colder than ice as he speaks. “Are you telling me you didn’t respect me enough to comply with that one simple request?”
My tongue glides over the front of my teeth as I try to contain my anger. “Maybe you should respect me enough to treat her right. I’m not her ex.”
His nostrils flare. “What are you saying? You’ve been seeing her?”
“We’re adults, Remy. We can see each other if we want, even without your permission.”
His back straightens, he’s trying to make himself appear bigger, but I still have the size advantage. This is weird, facing off with Remy. I’ve actually never seen him look this angry, but in turn, I don’t think I’ve ever been this angry.
I want him to punch me, or push me, or spit in my face. I want to escalate this and have it out. Get it done with. But Remy’s eyes are growing distant, and sweat is forming on his brow. I know this means he’s shutting down. The anger inside me is quickly replaced by regret. I handled this all wrong. I could’ve taken him aside and spoken with him alone, or I could’ve waited until I could go see Farrah. Hell, I could’ve just waited until the game was over.
“Remy,” I say, the anger gone from my voice. “Can we go talk outside? Please.”
His brown eyes are still distant, but he gives me a barely perceptible nod. It was only a year ago Remy told us he has autism, and it’s helped us understand him better. Like how he gets quiet sometimes or needs time alone, especially after doing any kind of interviews.
When I stormed in here itching for a fight, I also didn’t take into consideration how much pressure he’s under right now as the team captain. And that he’s already overwhelmed on top of finding out I’ve been seeing his sister…and I did it in front of the entire locker room.
Remy looks numb as he turns and walks out the dressing room doors. I follow closely behind him. He stops in the quiet hallway that leads to the offices and takes a few deep breaths.
“Listen, I’m sorry you’re hearing I’m in love with your sister in such an abrupt way. I was just…” I drag a hand through my hair. “I was pissed and stressed, and I took it out on you.”
His eyes snap wide open, his mouth slightly agape.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask, crossing my arms.
He shakes his head like a dog shaking off water. “Sorry, can we take a step back to you being in love with my sister?”
I relax. “Oh, yeah. What did you want to know?”
He blinks slowly and huffs an annoyed laugh. “Umm, for starters, how the hell did you fall in love with her when, as far as I know, you two haven’t even been on a date.”
Damn it. I really backed myself into a corner here .
Remy’s nostrils flare. “You can say that again.”
Oops, I didn’t realize I’d said that out loud. I raise my hands up in front of my body for protection, even though Remy wouldn’t hurt a fly. “We’ve sort of been seeing each other in secret, because we didn’t want to stir up drama.” I use my arm to gesture between myself and Remy, and the drama happening. “But I’m crazy about her, Remy. I’m sorry for hiding it from you, but you were so pissed about her spending the night after I took her to the ER. The tension with the whole team was off after that, man. We barely made it through to round two. I couldn’t risk being honest about me and Farrah and chance that happening again.” I can’t read his expression, his nostrils are still flared, but his stance is relaxed. It’s confusing. “I’m committed to this team. I’m not going to be the reason we lose the Cup. But I also wanted to give me and Farrah a chance. I guess I wanted my cake and to eat it too, you know?”
He growls. “Terrible choice of words, McBride.”
I grimace. “Yeah, sorry.”
Remy looks up at the ceiling and exhales a deep breath before speaking. “I don’t even know how to feel about all of this. I can’t believe you two snuck around behind my back.”
“I mean, in all fairness…you didn’t tell us you married Amber until after the fact—” his intense glare has me snapping my mouth shut before I say more.
He glares for another few seconds before his mouth pops open like he just thought of something. “Wait, if you’re together, why isn’t she coming to the game tonight?”
I throw my hands in the air. “That’s what I was saying in the locker room! She won’t talk to me. Won’t respond to my texts or answer my calls. I thought you had something to do with it.”
He rolls his eyes. “Well, clearly she doesn’t listen to me.” Remy grows somber, shuffling on his feet. Deep in thought, his eyes grow distant, and I know he’s deep in thought. It feels like five minutes go by while I wait for him to speak. “Actually, I think I know why she’s shutting you out.”
“Really? What did I do, man? Tell me and I’ll fix it. I’ll do anything.”
He twists his mouth to the side. “It’s not about you. It’s about her ex. It’s Farrah’s business, so you’ll have to hear the rest from her.” His eyes shift from one side to another, like he’s considering if he wants to say his next words. “Are you really serious about her?”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life,” I answer honestly.
He shakes his head, fighting a smirk. “She’s been so happy this last month, humming and floating around. Like she was back to her old self. I can’t believe I didn’t see it.”
I smile, then remember she’s currently ignoring me. “What do I do?”
“Farrah needs someone to fight for her. Someone to show her she’s worth fighting for. If you’re really serious about this, you’ve got to keep fighting. You have to break down her walls and show her over and over again that you’re a much better man than the last one. If I know my sister, she’s probably feeling like she can’t trust herself anymore.”
I nod, soaking up every word and mentally making a plan.
With another heavy sigh, Remy slaps a hand onto my shoulder. “I know you’re distracted with this. Honestly, so am I. This is weird for me.” He quirks a brow. “But we both have to suit up and win tonight. We owe it to our teammates and our fans to compartmentalize this for the next three hours or so, you hear me?”
“Yes, Cap’n. Loud and clear.”
With one last pat to my shoulder, Remy turns and starts walking back toward the dressing room.
“Are we good, Remy?” I ask. “I need to know you and I are good before we suit up.”
He stops in his tracks, pausing before turning to glance at me over his shoulder. “We’re good. But if you break my sister’s heart… I won’t hesitate to strongly suggest to our owner and general manager that they should trade your ass to the coldest, snowiest place in Canada.”
“Noted.”