Page 51 of Released from the Sin Bin

The new seats are meant for handicapped persons and are a lot more spacious and a lot more comfortable on my ankle.

“Are you good?” Carter asks through the glass, waiting for my nod before he skates out to warm up.

“That was scary.” I clutch onto Kandi.

“Don’t tell Luca, but that was hot.” She fans herself.

I laugh, but can see her point. That alpha male; beat up any guy to help a woman, attitude was sort of endearing. I see why Carter attracts the women he does.

He’s a good-looking guy. Dark and mysterious, but with a shitty attitude and sarcastic comments. Women go to him to feel protected and bad all at the same time.

Warm-ups are almost over when he comes to check on us again.

“Put your leg up.” He points to the chair folded on the side. “If anyone gives you a hard time, tell them to fuck off.”

“That may work for you,” I say while rolling my eyes. “But I’m not that tough.”

“I don’t think you give yourself enough credit.” He backs away and follows his team to the locker room.

“What’s going on with Carter?” Kandi asks with a sly grin once they’re out of sight.

“Nothing,” I shrug.

“Uh huh, sure.” She insinuates I’m lying.

“Really, we’re just friends. I think.” If I really think about it, I have no idea if we’re even friends. “I don’t even know if I’d say we’re actually friends. We had a class together and he, you know, saved my life.”

“Sure.”

“So I’d say we’re friends.” I nod, agreeing with my assessment.

“Ok,” Kandi shrugs and that’s the end of the conversation as I sit through her embarrassing chants and screams throughout the game.

I’m friends with lots of guys, but I never thought I’d be calling Carter one of them.

Chapter 13

Willa

Winter break came and went with me sitting on my ass with my ankle propped up.

I can’t wait to get this cast off. But most of all, I can’t wait to get back on the ice with my team. I need to get back out there.

The freshman that has been playing in my place is good. Too good. There’s a very high chance she’s staying on as a starter for the rest of the semester. I hate to admit it, but she’s been playing better than half the team.

I used to practice with her before I got injured. I trained with her for months and helped her with tips and advice. I saw her getting better and I never once thought she’d take my spot. I’m proud of how far she’s come during her first semester, but there’s still that part of me that hates knowing she can replace me. Or that she may actually be better than me.

My leg is bouncing, anticipating what the doctor will say. I just had an MRI done and they will determine if the cast is ready to come off. If not, I’ll have to wait another week.

“What’d they say?” Jocelyn pokes her head in the door.

The glass window opens out to the therapy room where I can see several players coming and going as they get checked out for the start of the new semester.

The injured players get this room that I’m in so they can close the blinds if needed.

“Nothing yet,” I tell her as she comes in and sits on the bench next to me. “They’re looking at the test results now.”

“Do you want me to wait?” She holds my hand from my lap where I was fidgeting.

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