Page 26 of Last Boy

Every time I see a black truck drive by the coffee shop or I see a group of guys with duffel bags coming from the gym…I wonder if it’s him. But then, before I risk seeing him again, I look down.

Some things just aren’t meant to be. I’ve made choices; he’s made choices. All for our own needs. But those choices have been the demise between us.

There was a time when I thought he’d always be in my life. Now, we’re on the same campus, yet we’re both too stubborn to just let the past stay in the past.

He’ll be going pro soon, and then he’ll have women throwing themselves at him daily. It’s probably best that we don’t try to rekindle anything. Then again, I guess we never got the chance to light that fuse to begin with.

“Hey, now that the rush is over, I’m going to restock everything we’re down on,” I call to Jasmin. “You good out here?”

Looking up from her phone, she nods. “Yep. It’ll be a ghost town till the game ends anyway.” She walks around the counter. “Which reminds me, you know the boss’s rules. We need to put the game on for anyone who might come in.”

Throwing my head back dramatically, I groan. “Can we at least mute it for now?” That way, I don’t have to listen to the broadcasters say Walker’s name five hundred times.

Chuckling, she nods. “Good plan.”

Walker

After our halftime pep talk, we all head out of the locker room.

“You’re not fucking around tonight.” Watson grins, glancing back at me. “Nice work out there tonight, James.”

“Thanks, Gent. You too.” I nod.

“Must be nice to finally have a game when the name Cam Hardy isn’t being shoved down your throat five thousand times, huh?” He chuckles. “Don’t feel bad. I felt the same way last year when I was the team’s new starting goalie. Soon, the team will be yours.”

I know what he means by that. Right now, Link is our captain. But next year, he’ll be gone. If I don’t get into the NHL next season, the torch will likely be passed to me since I’m the center and one of our best players. I’m not quite sure if I’m ready for it though.

I think this has been my best game yet. For the first time since being here, I feel like the guys are working with me and not like I’m an outsider.

It’s about time too. And I’m not going to make them regret it.

As we head back onto the ice, I make my way toward Huff.

Cade is acting out of character tonight. I mean, he’s always a little off. But tonight, he’s more like a zombie. And he’s on edge, and he wants absolutely no criticism. He’s on the ice, but he’s mentally not here. It’s becoming increasingly obvious that he’s in deep and he needs help. It’s been days since I saw him at Van’s. And even though I don’t want to get into his business, I’m scared for him. So, later tonight, I’ll talk to him. I can’t keep it in anymore.

“Huff, get it together,” I growl at him. “Everyone out here is doing their job besides you.”

“Fuck off, James,” he mutters, glowering at me. “I’m fucking here, aren’t I?”

“Barely,” I mumble, shaking my head.

As I skate away, I see Hunter approach Cade. Huff looks pissed, but I just hope whatever Thompson says works. This is only my first season with the team. But Hunter and Cade have been together for two and also live together. If anyone can reach him, it’d be Hunter or Watson.

I want this win more than anything. Maybe Link gets under my skin so badly because I know I’m a lot like him. Intense. Expecting greatness from everyone. I don’t want any half-assed players on my team. And today, that’s exactly what Cade is.

Poppy

I’m finishing filling sugar bottles, when my phone rings. My first instinct is to ignore it. It could be Ron calling from a different phone in prison, but because it could also be one of my brothers, I know I need to answer it.

“Hello?” I say, glancing up at the television, seeing none other than Walker James skating across the screen, getting ready for the puck drop.

“Poppy Wilson?” a deep voice says, and right away, I feel uneasy.

“This is she.”

“Ms. Wilson, this is Officer Herrick.” There’s a short pause, and my stomach feels like it’s balling up inside. “I have some unfortunate news to share with you. Are you, uh…are you sitting down?”

“Say it,” I whisper, my head feeling like a thousand prickly thorns are poking it as I wait for him to say something that I know is going to change my entire life. It’s a feeling in the pit of my being. Something I can’t shake.

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