Page 12 of Redeeming Heart

“But you’ve given up.” He said standing up. His words surprised me and for a moment all I could do was stare at him.

“I am not saying you should. If you are passionate about ice hockey and feel like you can't live without it, then I suggest you go for it but don’t let anyone take it from you. Because if you do, you will never get it back.” I started to walk when I realized that Meredith must probably be waiting for us.

“Come on, your mom must be here already,” I said, gesturing for him to go and I will follow.

The ice hockey leagues were showing up for their practice and while everyone else stayed we had to leave as my shift was starting soon—not like I was looking forward to it.

Aunt Maggie is my mother’s younger sister and shares a hell of a lot of a resemblance to my mother. I haven’t seen her since the funeral and I was hoping it would stay like that for a while until I could face reality without having a meltdown.

I was avoiding getting stumbled into by the big, tough players of the Gladiator ice hockey team who made their way past us before making their way onto the ice but I missed one when I stumbled into his big, wide, and tones chest.

“Sorry.” I apologized trying to push past him but his voice caught my attention when he spoke.

“First time finding you here.”

I raised my head and took a step back to create some space.

His eyes were quite captivating and I wondered if the rumor about grey eyes were true. Experts say that they are rarer than green eyes and can change color from the clothes you are wearing and express what kind of mood you are in. I kind of wondered if the rumors were true.

“Yeah, I don’t have much of a choice,” I commented.

“Doesn’t sound like we are doing a good job at impressing you,” Brandon remarked with an amused glint in his eyes.

Jonah showed his excitement when he greeted Brandon and they started talking about practice. If he only can be this confident all the time out there on the ice, he will even become a better player than Brandon, and Brandon was the best. No doubt about it even if it was hard to admit.

I looked out the door when I noticed Meredith’s car and then heard the horn. “Hey, your mom is here. I still have to get to work.” I said to Jonah getting him to stop talking to Brandon so that we can leave.

“See you around, Brandon!” Jonah said before running out to get to his mom.

“Sasha.” I turned to look at Brandon.

“I saw what happened out there,” Brandon said making me frown.

He must have probably sensed my confusion. “Getting smashed into the glass.”

I nodded. “Yeah, he thinks it is part of becoming a better player.”

“He is going to keep getting smashed out there if he doesn’t fight back,” Brandon informed me and I felt like laughing.

“Why don’t you tell him that since you are his favorite player? He doesn’t listen to a has-been.” I turned and walked away.

I shoved Jonah’s bags into the back before sliding in on the backseat. “Hey, sorry about that.” I apologized, strapping in.

Meredith smiled at me and nodded.

“Who was that?” She then asked and I was hoping she wasn’t asking me but to my dismay I caught her looking at me through the rear-view mirror.

“Jonah’s hero,” I mumbled, dragging my eyes away from her and deciding to stare out the window when I found the outside world more interesting.

“Yeah, Sasha broke his girlfriend’s nose.” I just shook my head and rolled my eyes at Jonah’s comment.

“You two know each other?” She then asked.

“Not personally. He went to the same high school as me.” How he remembered my name is a mystery to me. I was an outcast while he was the prince. Everyone craved to be his friend and be part of his group.

Not that I was bothered by being a nobody in school. My sport used to mean everything to me and over the years my passion faded away when my mother became ill and all I started to care about was being with her especially when the doctors told us to start saying our goodbyes.

I know she was disappointed in me for quitting something that I truly desired and loved. She always pushed me to become a better person and was at every practice and game-no matter how ill she felt.

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