Page 26 of Released from the Sin Bin

“We have that party. You know I have to be home for it.” He stands over me and rubs my shoulders.

“There’s always a party.” I move his hands off me. “You guys have a party almost every day. You haven’t been to a game yet.”

Vic opens his mouth, but a knock on my door interrupts him.

“Come in,” I say once I have my shirt and shorts on.

“This came for you.” Jocelyn sticks her head in and passes me a brown paper bag and a paper cup of what smells like coffee. “I told Luca you were busy, but he left these on the porch for you.”

Inside the bag is a rainbow bagel with walnut raisin cream cheese, and there’s definitely coffee in the cup. It’s Luca’s way of apologizing, but I can’t deal with him right now.

“Vic.” Jocelyn nods to greet him. “I think this is the first time I’ve seen you sober in a while.”

“Good morning, Jocelyn.” He smirks. “I’m sad we haven’t seen more of each other.”

“Thanks for dropping this off.” I stand between them and guide Jocelyn out to finish our conversation. “She’s right. You barely come around and are always drunk for these parties you can’t miss.”

“It’s our senior year, Willa.” He shakes his head with a heavy scoff. “I don’t know what you want from me. I spent the night here.”

“Because you were too drunk to make it home.” I toss my bagel on my desk. I’m mad at Luca, but I’m going to need that bagel after this conversation.

“Don’t start a fight.” He lowers his chin to peer down at me. “We had fun last night. Let’s just have fun. What more do you want?”

“I want you to come to my game.” It’s the least he could do for me. I want so much more from him, but if he can do this, then there’s hope for more. “It’s a big game against our rivals that we need to win. I want you there.”

“Fine.” He pulls me in and kisses my forehead. “I’ll be there.”

“You will?” I look up at him, hopeful that he may actually realize how important this is to me.

“If that’s all you want.” His bottom lip sticks out as he pulls me in for a kiss. “I love you, Willa. I thought I proved that already.”

“You have.” I rub his thick arms. “This game is important to me, but so is figuring out where we’ll be after graduation.”

“Willa,” Vic groans and pulls away from me to get his shoes on.

“We don’t have to talk about it now, but can we after finals? Before winter break?” I sit next to him and beg.

“We’ll see.” He touches his finger to my nose. “I have… stuff to do today.” He slips his jacket on. “Last night was good.” The shrug he gives tells me otherwise. “I’ll text you later when I’m at your game.”

Vic isn’t anywhere in the stands as we warm up for our game.

He said he’d be here, but he’s broken his promise several times before.

“Where is he?” I mutter to myself.

Everything feels off. I haven’t been playing like myself lately and everyone sees it. This was supposed to be my best semester. I’d be lucky to get an offer from the Bobcats at this point.

“He’s not coming.” Jocelyn stretches down next to me. “Focus on the game.”

I nod to agree with her, but I’m the first one off the ice and immediately pull out my phone once we’re back in the locker room. I don’t have much time before we have to go back out again for the start of the first period.

Me: Vic, where are you?

Vic: Something came up. I’m not going to make it.

I quickly call him to figure out what’s going on.

“Vic, you promised you’d come,” I whisper into the phone as he answers and music blasts in the background.

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