Chapter 16
MADARS & CONNOR
Madars
omfg my head is killing me
Connor
yeah? But you survived the after party?
I did. Never drank that much champagne in my life.
Got a headache now and my leg hurts like a motherfucker but no way was I missing that.
Of course you weren’t.
Does it feel real yet?
Kind of? Also kind of feels like I don’t deserve it.
What? Why not?
Of course you deserve it!
I didn’t play in the final game.
But you played your ass off in the other games.
Latvia wouldn’t have made it to the final at all without you.
Maybe
YOU EARNED IT.
And congrats – a silver medal behind Team Canada is no joke
You were cheering for Canada though, weren’t you?
I mean…
lol it’s okay.
And thanks. I’m happy. It’s a cool medal too!
Connor
How was your flight? How is your leg?
Madars
Flight was alright. Leg is bullshit.
Ouch. They didn’t make you fly coach, did they? The legroom— (skull emoji)
Thank God, no. Never been so happy to get on a charter jet.
I bet.
hope you feel better soon.
me too.
Would you think I was pathetic if I said I miss you?
If you’re pathetic then so am I.
this was a lot easier when we lived across the hall.
And when your leg wasn’t fucked up.
That too.
Who would’ve thought it would get tougher when we DIDN’T have to sneak around behind my parents’ backs?
I mean we didn’t think someone would put a big ocean between us.
True. Fuck those assholes.
Fuck them and their big ocean.
Connor
How did it go? How are you feeling?
Madars
Surgery went well. Drugs are good.
I kind of want to FaceTime just to see you on drugs.
(middle finger emoji)
(laughing emoji)
Seriously though, glad you’re okay. Do they think it’s fixed now?
Surgeon thinks so.
Fingers crossed.
Thanks. Should be able to play hockey by next season too.
That’s great! Just don’t overdo it.
That’s what she said.
Huh?
That’s what the doctor said. Don’t overdo it.
LOL Got it. Well, do what she says. We need you healthy.
We?
We, as in your hockey team and me.
Especially me.
I’ll do the best I can. (smiley face emoji)
Madars
Physical therapy is bullshit (crying emoji)
Connor
Oh that sucks.
(crying emoji)
How long do you have to go to PT?
IDK until the sun burns out probably
(grimacing emoji)
Madars
I’m so sick of watching hockey.
Connor
Playing right now might be a bad idea.
I think my doctor would kill me.
Your knee might kill you.
meh. worth a try
Don’t overdo it.
I won’t. Just sucks being out.
I know. How is rehab going?
It sucks.
That means it’s going good!
lol that’s what my physical therapist says.
She’s mean.
The good ones always are.
(scowling emoji)
lol
btw I’m sick of watching hockey, but it’s fun watching you on the ice (fire emoji)
Be careful. You’ll start getting hard every time you see a black and white striped jersey.
Only if you’re wearing it.
Or if it’s on my bedroom floor.
I’m not wearing it in bed. Just so we’re clear.
lol well fuck there goes that fantasy
OMG (eyeroll emoji)
Connor
How did the call go?
Madars
Meh. My agent thinks Genève will re-sign me, but he hasn’t heard shit from any NAL teams.
Damn, that sucks.
But re-signing in Genève will still be good!
It will. I love it here. I love playing hockey.
I just really wish I could play in the NAL again.
I know. But it’s not even the off season yet. Most of the clubs are in final-push-to-the-playoffs mode.
True. My agent said not to get my hopes up.
Oh what a ray of sunshine he is.
Eh, he’s just trying to be realistic.
When do you leave for Lena’s wedding?
Right after the Cup finals. (skull emoji)
lol No rest at all, eh?
Not for the bride’s brother apparently.
I told her she owes me and Michael for scheduling her wedding so close to the damn season.
she better give you both great Christmas presents.
I know, right?
she could be getting me back for wrecking Dad’s car right before her prom, though.
oh come on. She still got to go!
But she didn’t get to take the Bentley!
(tiny violin emoji)
lol right?
How long were you grounded after that anyway?
I think I still am, TBH.
Madars
Wow that was a crazy game!
Connor
You watched it? Wasn’t it like 2am your time?
I didn’t watch it live lol
Makes sense. And yeah it was wild. Playoff hockey is never boring.
How were any of you still standing after triple OT?
(skull emoji)
If they kill you, I’ll have your bones added to the church (thumbs-up emoji)
omg you’re an idiot
You don’t want to be part of a chandelier?
I’d probably be less sore.
See?
lol they’re still giving you the good drugs, aren’t they?
I only take them after PT.
That’s fair.
Madars
How is the family?
Connor
Good. Michael just had elbow surgery.
ow. How is he?
well my sister-in-law says he’s a worse patient than you are.
hey! I’m not a bad patient!
You wanted to skate five minutes after your surgery!
Because I’m a hockey player!
Uh-huh, and hockey players are bad patients.
Rude.
lol yeah yeah. Anyway they’re all good. Mom and Dad got in yesterday. My brother is coming tonight.
Wedding is tomorrow, right?
yep so I’ll probably be off my phone most of the day (sad face)
Connor, it’s your family.
You’re supposed to focus on them.
I know. But I like talking to you.
I’ll be here. We can FaceTime after you get fucked up!
(eyeroll emoji)
hey you’re the one who wanted to FT when I was on drugs
Don’t change the subject.
Just saying
Connor
omg mistakes were made
Madars
partied a bit too hard?
Tried to keep up with my brother. Bad idea. Always a bad idea.
lol don’t you know you’re a lightweight?
yes and he’s a hockey player, so bad idea
But you did it anyway?
It was a wedding.
And now you’re hungover.
bride and groom are probably in worse shape.
yeah?
lol I think my sister killed a whole bottle of prosecco before the ceremony even started. And my brother-in-law’s liver is probably (skull emoji)
lol oh god. What a way to start the honeymoon.
I know, right? They’re going on a cruise too. I’d be seasick if I had to get on a boat right now. (barf emoji)
lmao I’d get seasick anyway
Now who’s the lightweight?
(middle finger emoji)
We can have some drinks next time I see you. Then we’ll see who’s the lightweight.
You think you can keep up with me?
Do you remember what I do for a living?
Challenge accepted.
I’ve never seen you drunk. Now I’m curious.
Something to look forward to in Spain (wink emoji)
Oh, I’ve got plenty to look forward to (eggplant emoji) (sploosh emoji)
omg lol
(devil emoji)
Madars
Finally skated today!
Connor
That’s great! How was it?
Well now everything hurts
lol I mean yeah?
Bodies are bullshit.
True facts.
But you’re recovering? Do they think you’ll play next season?
Definitely. As long as I keep up my conditioning, I should be good.
(crossed fingers emoji)
Connor
Tests came back clear! (file attached)
Madars
Mine too. (file attached)
So… no condoms in Spain?
Not unless you’re worried about getting knocked up.
I mean, that could cause some issues with my job.
Okay, well, we can use condoms if you’re worried about it.
LOL Yeah no.
That’s what I thought. (wink emoji)
Madars
This villa is incredible. You’re going to love it.
Connor
Can’t wait!
Got us ice time at the rink. Don’t forget your skates.
Already packed. Might have to borrow a stick.
(wink emoji)
oh my god really?
Madars: (laughing emoji)
You’re such a dork.
I’m letting you use my stick (shrug emoji)
(facepalm emoji)
Connor
Boarding in a few minutes.
See you soon! (airplane emoji)
Madars
Fly safe!
Connor
Just landed.
Holy shit that was a long flight.
Madars
lol I bet.
I’m here outside baggage claim.
Be there soon.