10. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Steven
Swiping the sweat from my face, I look over the cones set out on the ice. I get ready to run the gauntlet drill again, like Jacob had me do years ago.
Not only is it great for working on speed and dexterity, but it’s hard to think about anything else when you’re running it.
I push off my back skate and the sound of scraping ice echoes in the arena. Focus now, Bennett. Puck close, head up, feet fast.
I’ve nearly finished my run, but I hear the tell-tale sound of a knocked-over cone. I curse under my breath. I’ve been on the ice for hours, and my legs are starting to quiver.
Slipping off my helmet, I skate over toward the bench.
“That last run through was a bit sloppy.” My head whips around to see Declan leaning his elbows against the board, lazily sipping from a coffee cup.
“Yeah, well,” I mutter, hating that he saw that one. Flopping down on the bench. I squeeze my water bottle, pouring the cool liquid on my face before bringing it to my lips and chugging.
“If we’re going to win, you need to be sharper than that.” Declan takes a seat next to me, and my fingers curl into a fist on my thigh.
Raking a hand through my hair, I huff out a sigh. “Thanks for telling me something I don’t already know.”
“The Wolverines brought you in because they thought you’d be a good addition to the forward line.”
“Let me guess,” I growl. “You don’t.”
He stands up, lifting the coffee cup to his lips, shaking his head. It’s then I notice the logo. “Doesn’t matter what I think. But I’m telling you that type of skating isn’t going to cut it.”
Picking up my helmet and stick, I skate off the ice, leaving Declan behind. He’s not wrong. I squeeze the back of my neck.
These past two days have been the worst period I’ve had on the ice in years. Lack of sleep and my inability to focus are going to get me shipped to another team before I’ve even had a chance to play for this one. I need to pull myself together.
And most importantly, I need to figure out a way to sleep. Exhausting my body till my muscles ache isn’t going to cut it when my mind’s running all over the place.
Once I reach my locker, I grab a towel and scrub my damp hair.
“I’m surprised you go to The Bleacher Bean for coffee.” I nod toward the trash where Declan just threw his cup.
“Yeah, well, it’s the best coffee in town.” My hand slows on my head, and I look up to find him smirking. “Not to mention I can’t miss my daily time slot.”
Slipping my practice jersey over my head before tossing it on the floor, I sit on the bench and start loosening my skates.
“There’s this pretty little thing that I like to visit around this time of day.” He opens his locker and starts to pull out his equipment, placing it on the bench between us.
My fingers tighten on the laces, and Dec lets out a snicker, making my fist curl. The cool demeanor I usually have is on a short fuse without sleep. Images of him talking to Scarlett. Her smiling up at him.
“Wouldn’t you like to know who it is?” A door closes in the background, but I’ve had enough. Pushing from the bench, I face him, both hands fisted.
“Bennett, what are you doing here in your uniform this early?” Coach James admonishes. “You know you have your physical today, and the doc wanted to see you before practice.”
“And you two.” He points a finger between Declan and me. “You need to put the past behind you. The team needs you to learn how to play like a well-oiled machine, and we won’t have that if you’re at each other’s throats.”
Glancing out the side of my eye, I see Dec smirking. My grip on my laces tightens again.
“Wipe that grin off your face, Graham. I know you like to antagonize, but I’m telling you now that both of you will be doing drills if you don’t figure out how to form a truce.”
“Yes, Coach,” Declan says, sitting down next to me.
“You don’t have to like each other off the ice. But I need you to figure out how to trust each other on it.” Coach stands there, waiting. Finally I glance up and meet his hard stare. “Am I clear?”
“Yes,” I grumble, and his stare becomes a glare. “Yes, sir.”
“Good.” He turns and walks toward his office. “And Bennett, take a shower then head up for your physical.”
I drop my head in my hands the second Coach leaves.
Laughter and conversations echo outside the locker room as the rest of the team starts to make its way in to get their workouts in.
Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths before pushing myself off the bench. Declan is still at his locker, but thankfully he’s busy putting his padding on.
I grab two towels and make my way over to the shower room.
“Skipping practice already, Bennett?” Elias calls out, laughter following.
“Getting ready to see Doc,” I answer, without turning around.
“Oh, he ain’t going to be happy that you’re already warm.”
Raising a hand and nodding, I yell back. “I’ve been warned. Thanks,” before mumbling, “Just add it to the list of things I’m messing up.”
The sky is a smorgasbord of oranges, pinks, and purples when I get out of my car and walk to my apartment. On the way, I pass Duncan’s Donuts for Dogs. Through the window I can see Scarlett helping what will probably be her last customer tonight.
A smile stretches across her face as she comes from behind the counter, giving the pup next to its owner a treat. When the pup swallows it whole, she bursts out laughing, and I feel my gut tighten.
She glances up, and her gaze catches mine. A shy smile lights her face as she lifts her hand before moving back behind the counter to tally up the current order.
Glancing out the window one last time, I wave before jogging up the stairs to my apartment. My steps slow when I see a brown baker's bag hanging from my doorknob. The Duncan’s Donuts for Dogs logo faces out.
A slow smile spreads as I unlock my door. Dropping my duffel next to the door, I plop on the couch and lie down. My heartbeat picks up as I toy with the edge of the bag, hesitant to see what Scarlett made for me this time.
“I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming up front,” I tease. But when the light dims from her eyes a bit, I quickly ask. “Everything okay?”
“Of course.” She waves her hand, smiling overly bright, and I know she’s lying. “It’s just…”
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and my breath catches. Stop looking at her mouth. I’m struggling to drag my eyes away, and I watch as color tinges her cheeks.
I freeze as she lifts up a cookie in the shape of a Florida Panthers jersey with my name and number on it. My eyes lock on the words, and everything else disappears.
To my best friend, break all the records. Love you, Scarlett
My gaze lingers on the ‘love you’ and I look up to see her watching me. Her eyes are soft and searching. Words I’ve been holding back for years hover on the tip of my tongue.
The bell on the door rings, alerting us we aren’t alone anymore. Scarlett walks from behind the counter, a shy smile on her face as she brings me the cookie.
“I’ll be with you in one second,” she says to the woman and her dog.
“Do you like it?” she asks softly, and my mouth lifts into a grin, the corner of my eyes crinkling.
“I love it” comes out of my mouth instead of the ‘you’ that begs to be spoken.
She beams at me, and her eyes sparkle as she hands over the baked item. She then throws her arms around my neck, pressing her body flush against mine. Her breath tickling my neck as she whispers, “I’m so glad.”
My one arm wraps around her waist, pulling her closer, and I silently curse the cookie that keeps my other arm away. “I’m gonna miss you.”
“We’re gonna talk so much you won’t have time to miss me,” she giggles, but I hear a tightness in her voice.
“Scarlett…” I want to say so much. Words and thoughts paired with questions that have been running around my head since the night of my dad’s funeral. But I know this is the worst possible moment to bring it up, because we don’t have time.
I’m leaving.
Now.
Sticking my hand in the bag, I pull out the treat.
This time it’s not a jersey with my name on it or a ‘Love You, Scarlett’. No. But it is a dog wearing a jersey with my new number on the Wolverines.
It’s close enough.
Dragging myself off the couch, I scoop up my keys and run down the stairs.