Page 29 of Staying Selfless

“If you tell anyone that I’m a good guy, I’m going to have to beat the shit out of you. I have a rep to protect after all.”

“What team are you hoping for?” I ask when my eyes land on the section filled with NHL scouts watching the game.

“I’m open to anyone, but obviously, it’s going to have to be a playoff-bound team if I want to get called up this year. Chicago has been giving me the most attention, but they’ll be lucky if they make it past the first round. Clearly, I would rather get picked up by a team with a chance at the cup.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Zanders’ brows pinch with confusion. “That’s pretty self-explanatory, Maddison.”

“I wouldn’t mind playing for an underdog. I don’t want to end up on a team full of superstars where I’m playing on the fourth line my entire career. I would like to actually contribute something.”

“Yeah, but it’s the cup,” he explains again, saying it slowly as if that’ll change my opinion. “Regardless, this is crazy.” He looks around and through the crowd. “Who would’ve thought we would be here. When we were kids playing travel hockey back in Indiana, did you ever think we would end up here?”

“Nope. I thought I would’ve been drafted years ago,” I tell him honestly, though I know that wasn’t the point he was trying to make. “I never thought I would still be waiting for the call during my senior season and having this weekend as my last hope at making an impression on scouts.”

An awkward silence falls between us before Zanders pipes up again. “You know, I never meant for that hit to fuck you up the way it did.”

“Sure.”

“I’m serious.” He keeps his eyes locked on the ice ahead of us. “I think about it a lot, but I was an angry guy then. I mean, I still have my moments, but I didn’t go out there trying to end your career when I threw you into the boards that game. I just wanted to rattle you a bit.” He pauses, looking over to me. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry about it.”

“What the fuck is going on?” I ask with a startled laugh. “I never thought I’d be having this conversation with you. Or any conversation with you for that matter.”

“I don’t know. But when we go back to college hockey, can we pretend like we still hate each other? It’s more fun that way.”

The final buzzer goes off for game one, indicating it’s our turn on the ice.

“Deal. But for now, I’m gonna need your help making everyone else out here look bad.”

And with that, Zanders and I hop the boards for warmups, and as soon as my skates hit the ice, I feel settled.

Chapter 11

Eli

This weekend, I may have played the best hockey I’ve ever played. I don’t know what it was, but everything connected for me. I got at least one point every game, whether through a goal or an assist, and Zanders and I, shockingly, made quite the pair. The two of us went undefeated both days of play.

I didn’t get to see my family or Logan much, but that’s not the reason they came. Once five-on-five play started, it was a grind all weekend of nonstop hockey. Marc kept an eye on Logan for me, which made me feel better. Even though I couldn’t spend much time with her, knowing my family was with her took away some of my worries.

Marc says he can tell when she’s getting overwhelmed. He told me she went up to the room alone on multiple occasions to compose herself before coming back and rejoining the group. I have a feeling it’s going to be like that for a while, which makes me hurt for her. But as long as she doesn’t run away on me again, we will be okay. I just need to figure out how to make her okay.

“Good luck, man.” Marc smacks my shoulder on Sunday morning as my whole family gathers in the lobby, saying our goodbyes.

Marc, Logan, and Ali need to get back to campus because their second semester of grad school starts tomorrow. My final semester of senior year begins tomorrow too, but hockey has always been my priority over academics.

“Thanks, man.” I give my brother a hug.

“See you later, Bertoli.” I hold my fist out to Ali as she connects her hand with mine.

Watching Mary and Ali say goodbye is definitely awkward. Mary hasn’t given into letting Ali be on her good side yet. Logan even tried to help by suggesting the girls do a shopping day yesterday, knowing that my stepmom couldn’t say no to her. But it doesn’t seem like much progress was made. I get that Mary is protective of Marc, especially after everything with Lauren, but she’s being a little too protective, in my opinion.

As Marc and Ali leave to pull the Jeep up out front, Logan says goodbye to my parents. Mary gives her the tightest hug possible before my dad wraps her up in one of his own. They both adore her. It’s obvious. But my dad truly thinks of Logan as his own, and he loves the person that she is. I know this because he’s told me on multiple occasions.

Did I ever think that my girlfriend would have a friendship with my dad? No. Am I happy that they do? Abso-fucking-lutely.

“You look so handsome,” Logan quietly says as she stands in front of me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

I wore my navy-blue suit for my potential meetings today, knowing that it’s her favorite.

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