Page 47 of Inside the Penalty Box

“Yep, that was what he said,” Clay added.

“Last time was different. The wound was raw, and besides, he asked for it,” I said, getting my back up at the memory.

It happened right after I’d caught her with him. They were the second team we played that season. The wound was open and raw, and when we came face-to-face and he slurred those words at me, I saw nothing but red for the entire night.

“He may have, but that brief fight landed you in the sin bin for five minutes.”

“It landed him in it for seventeen,” I bit back.

“Look, why are we even rehashing this?” Clay asked, looking over at Knox and me.

“He’s right, guys. This isn’t the time,” Lucas agreed. “We need to make sure that doesn’t happen again. The playoffs are so close I can taste it. We can’t lose that. We have a good chance of winning this year.”

The way I was feeling, anything was possible at this point. I let out the breath I was holding and signalled for the bill.

* * *

I glanced down at my phone just as the limo pulled into the arena. I’d left a message for Aurora before leaving my apartment, and she was just now getting back to me.

Aurora: Hey sorry. Just got back from school, not sure I’ve caught you in time or not.

I smiled as I read her message. After the shitty day I’d had, I’d never been so happy to hear from her.

Dylan: Still here. Just getting to the arena, heading out in about thirty.

Aurora: How long are you gone this time?

Dylan: Just two games, tomorrow and the next night. We’ll be flying in after the game that evening.

Aurora: Good, can’t wait to see you.

That message could only have meant that she hadn’t seen the news. At least I’d hoped she hadn’t. I’m sure if she had, she’d have been inundating me with questions. This would give me the time I needed to tell her in my time without her jumping to conclusions. I planned to sit down with her the day I returned to let her know what was going on.

Dylan: See you then. I’ll message you after the game tomorrow.

Aurora: Why not tonight?

Dylan: We’ll be getting in late. I know you have to study.

Aurora: Yeah, but I can take a break.

Dylan: Okay, I’ll message you once we land.

Aurora: I’ll be looking forward to it.

I pocketed my phone and climbed out of the limo and made my way to the changing room to grab my stuff.

* * *

“Sorry, school ran late today. I wanted to get back over to Vancouver to say good-bye before you left.”

I closed my eyes. I’d wished we could see one another before we left as well, but because things had gone crazy at the arena after practice, it was probably better this way.

“Is everything okay?” she questioned. “You don’t sound like yourself.”

“Yeah, I guess I’m just tired. Practice was brutal,” I lied.

I was worried about how Aurora may react when and if she saw the news. Things had just seemed to sort themselves out after the night at the club. I didn’t want this rumour to cause things to go sideways again.

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