Page 30 of Sidelined Love

Jade shakes her head. “No, but I'm not upset because I just got to witness THAT.”

“Okay, okay. We have work to do so get your mind off Levi and this chess thing.”

“Fine. But I want an update as soon as he sends you a text. And I'll refrain from saying all of the things I actually want to say about what I just saw… for now.”

“Great,” is all I can say because I don’t want to egg Jade on any further. I can already see the wheels in her head turning as she’s conjuring up silly scenarios about how Levi and I are going to be together.

She couldn't be more wrong.

12

LEVI

The locker room is about as chaotic as you'd think it would be on game day. Nerves are running rampant as we suit up in our hockey gear.

Much like every game, today is about getting out there and doing the best we can. It also means having to see my father for the first time since I got back to school. It's the last thing I want to deal with. A loud shout draws me out of my thoughts, and I turn to see what is going on.

“Hey, watch it!” Knox snaps as Wilder playfully shoves him, nearly causing a crash into Blaise, who's taping his stick, lost in his own world.

“Relax, it's just pregame jitters,” I say, trying to cut the tension because there's a chance this could escalate. Knox shoots me a look but doesn't say a word.

“Or it's Wilder being an ass,” Asher chimes in from across the room.

“Someone's gotta keep you on your toes,” Wilder replies, bumping fists with Asher before eyeing me. “Right, Cap?”

I can't help but chuckle at the antics. “Yeah, someone's gotta do it,” I reply, pulling on the last of my equipment. “But keep inmind that someone better not rack up penalties before the game even begins.”

I catch Asher's eye and nod—our silent signal that it's time to come together. The whole hockey team moves into place in the center of the locker room.

Coach Johnson walks up to us and starts his pregame speech. “Alright, each of you has prepared for this moment. You’ve bled, sweat, and pushed past your limits to be right here, right now.”

He pauses for a moment, letting his words sink in as he looks at each and every one of us. “We are going to go out there and play smart and tough.”

Coach runs through some last-minute strategies and guidance before going through tactical strategies for each position before he wraps up his talk.

“When you step out on the ice today,” Coach Johnson's voice softens slightly, “remember why you play this game. Remember who you play for—your family watching you proudly from those stands, your coaches who've seen something great in each of you, and most importantly,” he places a firm hand over his heart then extends it toward us all, “play for yourselves and each other.”

Coach's words hang in the air, and he looks over at me and gives me a single nod. It is my turn to speak.

I step forward, feeling the weight of the captain's “C” on my chest. “Alright, listen up.” My voice isn't as stern as Coach’s, but I think I'm doing a pretty good job. “You heard Coach Johnson's words. Today's is about showing everyone what we're made of out there.”

I look around at the faces of my team and I can't help but feel as if we're going out there to battle on the ice. Each one of these men is a brother-in-arms, and I will do everything I can to help them.

“We grinded hard for this moment. This opportunity. Remember those drills that had us ready to collapse? I'm pretty sure I heard Blaise sobbing uncontrollably,” I continue with a wry smile. My joke draws a few chuckles from the group because that has never happened. “The sprints that had us ready to throw the towel in? They were done to prepare us for now.”

I pause, willing to bet everyone in the room can feel the physical and mental anguish that flew through our bodies during those grueling practices. “When we hit the ice in just a few short minutes, we leave everything out there.”

“And yes,” I acknowledge with a glance toward Wilder from his earlier antics, “we keep each other on our toes. We challenge each other because we know that’s how we improve and get better. But more than anything else, we have faith and trust in one another.”

The room nods in unison, and I wait a few seconds before I continue.

“We’re more than just a team, we’re family.” I let the word roll off my tongue. Family is a concept that means different things to each one of us because of our different experiences in life yet somehow unites us all. “So, let’s go show them what this family can do! On three, Red Wolves! One. Two. Three.”

“Red Wolves!”

Our shout is followed by an uproar from my teammates. The energy is bursting at the seams. Everyone is amped up and ready to go. The pregame jitters are still there, but I prefer them to be.

If they aren't, then I don't love this sport anymore and I'll need to find something else to enjoy.

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