Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
As I skate around the rink for our warm-up, I know I should be in full game mode, but I can’t help when my thoughts drift to Danica. She’s not here at the game because it’s a school night.
But she did tell me something that has me feeling like a strutting peacock. “All of my cheers tonight are for you.”
Those were her last words before she gave me a goodbye kiss and left my apartment yesterday. I know when that puck drops in fifteen minutes, she’ll be glued to her TV along with Travis. Knowing that I’ve got a personal cheerleader, someone who is going to be proud of my successes and supportive of my failures makes all the difference in the world out here on the ice. I know without a doubt I’m going to have a great game tonight.
♦
The crowd at Mario’s is shoulder to shoulder. We defeated the Cold Fury 4–2 and yours truly had a goal and an assist. After the game, Coach West clapped me on the shoulder and said, “I don’t know what the fuck has changed in your life, but whatever it is, it’s working.”
It’s Danica, Coach. That’s what’s changed.
But I can’t tell him that. I can’t tell any of these people celebrating with me here tonight. I’m going to assume that if this thing continues with Danica, we’ll have to come out to others. We’re not there yet, and that’s only because all of this is so new. Danica, I’m sure, will have no problems but I’m still feeling a certain amount of guilt because of who Danica is.
A member of the Titans’ family before the crash.
Wife to a player.
Wife to my teammate, linemate and friend.
I’m confident there’s going to be judgment. I don’t know how much or who it will come from. And I don’t want to cause waves on this team. We’re going into the latter half of the season rolling like a locomotive, plowing down our opponents. We have momentum and a spirit within us that can make us contenders for the Cup this year. And if my team thinks it’s wrong of me to be with Danica and it hurts the team mentality because I dented the morality, I’ll never forgive myself for crushing everyone else’s dream.
Someone gives me a light punch to my biceps and I turn from the bar where I just ordered a beer.
It’s Bain, his hand held out. “What’s up, star of the game?” I grasp it sideways and he pulls me into a half hug. “You were on fire tonight.”
“It sure as shit felt good.” I grab my beer and follow Bain through the crowd.
It’s always been a blast to celebrate with my team and the fans after a win. Mario’s is our main hangout, although sometimes we go to Stevie’s bar.
We reach a sectioned-off area the owners created for us filled with high-top tables where we can share beers and not be swarmed by fans. It’s sort of worked out that we’re mostly left alone when we’re in this group space, but we all take turns stepping into the throng and hanging with the fans. After I drink this beer, I’ll go do some pictures and autographs, which I actually enjoy.
Most of the team is here but noticeably absent are the coaches. They don’t typically hang with us, although sometimes Gage will, and that’s only because last season he was a teammate and captain of our team. I imagine he’s not here mainly because he put a ring on Jenna’s finger yesterday and they’re celebrating alone. Drake is also absent, and that’s not unusual for a home game. He’s a single dad to three boys and prefers to get home to them and Brienne.
We join Hendrix, Stevie, Stone and Coen at a high top. There are more congrats and backslaps, and I offer one up to Coen who scored two goals tonight.
“Where are Harlow and Tillie?” I ask.
“Harlow’s in the middle of a trial and working,” Stone says, looking glum.
“Tillie’s back in Coudersport, packing up for the movers,” Coen adds and then looks at me pointedly. “You got the invitation for our housewarming, right?”
“Yeah, man.” I think I did. I vaguely recall an email about it.
“Well, you haven’t RSVP’d yet, asshole. We have to know how many are coming so we can prepare.”
“All right, dude. Chill out. This is my confirmation… I’m coming. When is it?”
“Next Saturday.” Coen turns his fierce look on Bain. “And you’re coming?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Bain says, but I can tell by the look on his face he’s not quite sure if he saw the email either.
But neither one of us would miss it because it’s a big step for Coen. He and Tillie bought a house together, and it’s a sign of how committed they are.