Page 26 of The Power Play

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes? Why wouldn’t it be?”

I breathe out a sigh of relief, “Because I’m getting ready to play a game.”

“Oh, oops, I’m sorry I could’ve sworn you had today off.”

“It’s okay, anything important going on?” Collee, our captain looks at me with a concerned look that I wave off. He’s no stranger to family drama so I understand him being concerned right away when it comes to people having phone calls from family.

“Not really I was calling to tell you that I ran into Tabitha, and she asked about you. She’s such a sweet girl Charlie, I just don’t understand what happened.”

My blood runs cold at the mention of my ex. I never told my mom the full story, just that things didn’t work out with us so of course she thinks Tabitha is a “sweet girl.”

“It doesn’t matter now, it’s over. I’ll call you after our game, okay?”

“Okay sweetie, love you.”

“Love you too.”

We hang up and I notice my hands shaking thinking about Tabitha trying to worm her way back into my life through my mom. She would pull something like that since being sneaky to try and get what she wants is her MO. I used to think she was genuine, but now I know there’s nothing genuine about that woman and I’m glad I saw the truth before there was no turning back.

“Mann, tell the team who’s starting tonight,” Coach yells out. It’s a ritual that someone on the team lists the starters, but my brain is suddenly somewhere else, and I try to shake it off.

I list the five guys, one of which is myself, who will be starting, plus the sixth being our goalie. I don’t do it with as much enthusiasm that’s expected, but no one says anything to me about it.

We file out; Dumont nudges my shoulder with his as we walk through the tunnel out to the ice.

“You good?” he asks.

“Yeah, just tired.”

He sends a knowing smirk my way, “Audrey keeping you up?”

I shake my head, “Nope, we avoid each other, it’s like she’s not even staying with me.”

“Is that because of you or her?”

I shrug, “Both.”

He regards me, and I can feel him wanting to ask more. Dumont is friendly and overly curious. I’m sure Audrey talks to Chandler about how we aren’t on the best terms. She may have even told her about the kiss, both of them, and maybe Dumont knows. I’m not going to stand around gossiping with him about it. Anything that’s going on or not going on between Audrey and me is our business.

As soon as my blades touch the ice my single focus is the game we are about to start. Unfortunately, the short conversation with my mom lingers in the back of my mind along with the annoyance that comes with anything to do with my ex.

I’m on the ice with the rest of my line during the national anthem. It’s over before I know it and we are getting in positionfor puck drop. Our center, Collee, wins the face off and then we are all skating across the ice toward the other goal. Collee passes the puck to me, and I miss so the other team is able to snag it, rushing toward our goalie, Colver. He deflects their shot, but I’m internally beating myself up for missing the pass.

As the game continues, I fuck up more and more. Each shift there’s something. Either I miss a pass or get hit too hard into the boards because I’m not paying attention. I’m a mess. As much as I want my head in the game there is too much distracting me. The conversation with my mom and honestly, the shit with Audrey has me more fucked up than I realize.

After the first period we all go into the locker room with the game at zero-zero. Everyone is buzzing with energy, just itching to get the first goal of the game. I can feel it and normally I would be the same, but today I’m just not.

“Mann,” Coach snaps at me. “I don’t know where your head is but get it out of there and back with us or I’m going to pull you from your line.”

“Yes Coach,” I reply.

He moves on and continues to talk strategy for the next period, the eighteen-minute intermission goes by quickly. Right before we go back out on the ice, I decide to check my phone because I must be a glutton for punishment. Not only is there the notification letting me know that Lacey is online, but it’s the text that makes my heart stop for just a moment.

Audrey: You might want to get your shit together, so you guys actually have a shot at winning.

I smile knowing that she’s watching and not only that, she’s noticed me and how I’m playing. Even though it’s shitty. My mind instantly thinks about the fact that she’s watchingandon cam, so she’s doing her hockey show. If that’s not some motivation to play a bit better than I don’t know what is. Though, I wish she was performing forme.

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