Page 54 of Taming Tyler Hayes

Hayes, doped up on a fresh prescription of oxys from his bruised ribs, slumped over onto the passenger side window, his gray wool hat pulled down over his eyes. “Think they’ll suspend me?” he mumbled.

“I don’t know,” a weary Ryan replied flatly. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

“You mad at me, Rook?”

Ryan sighed, not answering.

“You haven’t even talked to me about it,” Hayes continued.

“What’s there to talk about? You got in a car accident, you survived with minor injuries, and thankfully, you didn’t kill anyone’s father. End of story.”

“How’d I know you’d make this about you?”

The statement effectively set Ryan off, as he slammed on the brakes, all four tires screeching wildly. He jerked the truck over to the side of the highway, slammed it into park, and unbuckled his seatbelt. He turned to face Hayes in the passenger seat, who was now sitting upright with rapt attention.

“Make this about me? How fucking dare you, Tyler?” Ryan shouted. “It’s been nothing but the Tyler fucking Hayes shitshow for over four months now, and I’ve had to sit back and keep my mouth shut while I watch you and that fucking piece of shit scumbag slowly kill yourselves…”

“He’s my friend. Don’t talk about him like that…”

“Fuck him!” Ryan interrupted. “I’ll talk about him however I goddamn want. I have done nothing but…”

Ryan paused, fighting like hell to suppress his tears of anger before finally giving in and allowing them to slip down his face.

“I’ve done nothing but sacrifice my own success, trying like hell to keep you outta trouble. I’ve watched you become someone I don’t even recognize anymore. I’ve watched you flush your rookie season, everything you’ve ever wanted, right down the shitter. I’ve missed flights, I’ve missed practices, and now I’m missing NHL games. I’m supposed to be in the show right now. This is what I’ve worked toward my entire life, and I’m missing it. My team’s in Columbus getting ready for a game, and that’s where I should be. But no, I’m here with you.”

“So why are you?” Hayes asked coldly.

“Because I fucking love you, Tyler!” Ryan screamed, pounding the steering wheel repeatedly with both hands, startling Hayes. He crossed his arms on top of it and leaned his head against them, sobbing.

Hayes placed a hand gently on his back and Ryan lifted his head, turning to look at him. “I have absolutely no idea what I even believe in. Not a clue if there’s a God or any of that shit. But do you know that I pray for you every fucking night before I go to sleep? I get on my knees and pray, Tyler. I pray that I don’t get a phone call telling me you’re dead. You…you told me you had it under control. You…lied to me.”

“I thought I did,” he said sadly. “The trade fucked me up, Rook. I know we didn’t see each other all that much, but like, just knowing you were there so close was a comfort to me. When you left…”

Ryan scoffed. “So, it’s my fault then?”

“Rook, I didn’t say that…”

“It’s my turn, Hayes. Don’t I get to have my shot, too? Or were you hoping I’d rot in the AHL forever just so you could have me around?”

“Of course not! I’m thrilled that you’re gettin’ your shot. And there’s no one who’s prouder of you than I am, OK? You know that. You know that, Rook. I just…I have a fuckin’ drug problem.”

“Well, I’m glad you can at least admit it now.” Ryan wiped his eyes with both hands and buckled his seatbelt.

“Rook? I never thanked you for comin’. Thank you, baby. I love you.”

Ryan nodded, putting the truck in drive. “We should go.”

And they rode the rest of the 15-minute drive to UBS Arena in deafening silence.

???

“Oh, this is fuckin’ bullshit!” TK yelled, as he, Ryan, and Hayes entered the Islanders meeting room. They’d met up near the locker room, TK having Ubered to the arena for the meeting, and walked together, with Ryan discreetly texting Hughesy to let him know they were coming.

As soon as TK opened the door and caught sight of his brother and his father, he lost his shit. “Nah. Hell nah. We’re not doing this shit...”

“Just please come sit, Trav,” Trevor said calmly, approaching him and attempting to put his arm around his brother, who immediately shoved it away.

April made her way over to Hayes. “Mom?” he cried, as she wrapped him in her arms. “What are you…doin’ here?”

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