Page 88 of Wicked Truths

That motherfucker.

The attacker kicks the side of my knee while I am still laying facedown on the ice. The crowd boos.

At least they haven’t completely given up on our team.

I roll over onto my back to get up, but the motherfucker pretends to fall down and kneel on my arm, preventing me from getting up.

He leans closer and says, “Don’t think the league doesn’t see what’s happening with the Sharks. We aren’t blind. Once they get proof that the Sharks are involved with the illegal mafia business, your team will be sold, you’ll go to jail, and the innocent players will be traded.”

He stands and skates away, like he didn’t just threaten me, my teammates, Chessie, and her entire family.

Referees blow their whistles as the team’s trainers hurry over to look me over and help me off the ice.

My favorite trainer, William, glances me over before asking, “Where does it hurt? Do you think anything is broken?”

Their hands lift my arm and leg, trying to gauge my pain level.

“I don’t think anything is broken, but my knee hurts like a bitch.”

They help me up and help me through the tunnel back into the locker room.

William points to the chair in the corner as the other trainer, Chad, heads back out to the team’s bench. “Sit and I’ll get some necessities.”

I take off my skates, pants, and pads. My knee is bright red and throbbing, but it isn’t too swollen.

There’s a chance I can still get back on the ice tonight.

William comes back carrying a tray full of medical supplies. He squats in front of me and checks out my knee.

I wince when he touches the spot that was kicked.

“I’m going to give you a shot in the knee to easethe swelling and the pain, but you need to be out for the rest of the game.”

“No. Hell no. It’s the first game of the season. I can’t be out after thirty fucking seconds.”

He sighs his normal exasperated sigh. “There will be more games to play if you rest and let your body heal. If you continue to skate on it, you may do irreparable damage. Think about your future.”

“So that’s it? I’m done playing tonight, and there’s nothing I can do?”

“You can go home, see your woman, and let her distract you all night from missing the rest of the game. I hear women love taking care of hurt men that take care of them. If you know what I mean.”

“I can’t skate, but I can go home and take care of my woman?”

“Hey, I don’t make the rules.” He says as he pushes the needle deep into my knee.

I groan at the pain. “You’re lucky I like you, William, and you’re also lucky I made a promise to my woman that I intend to keep.”

“As long as you don’t overexert yourself and fuck up your knee worse, or if you do, you better lie through your ass because I’m not taking the blame for you.”

I let out a laugh as the locker room doors open and Francesca runs inside, looking pale and scared.

“Hey, Chessie. What are you doing here?”

She walks over to me, looking me over to make sure I’m alright before whispering, “It looked really bad from up in the suite.”

Tears fall from her eyes, and I swipe them away with my thumb. “It hurts like hell, but I’ll be back to playing in no time. Tell her, Doc.”

William rolls his eyes and chuckles. “I’m no doctor, but Montgomery’s knee isn’t broken, so he might only miss one to two games.”

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