Page 77 of Forever Player

“He hasn’t hidden the fact he wants to try to be together, but you guys know me. After having a few meltdowns on him, I kind of told him I would try but I feel like I’m so out of my element here.”

“Relationships are hard. I hadn’t been in one for a long time when Evan and I hooked up. It’s a risk to put your heart on the line, but the payoff can be so much greater,” Patty shares.

“But no one knows how things will turn out,” I retort.

“True,” Skylar agrees. “But Patty is right. If you have real feelings for Brett, you owe it to yourself. I know what it’s like to be a single mom. I was lonely for a long time. Reuniting with Liam has made me happier than I’ve ever been, and Crew is over the moon happy too,” she says of her son. Liam isn’t Crew’s biological father but he adopted him.

“Gah, you guys make it look so easy,” I complain.

“Life isn’t easy but when you care about someone, and they care about you, it makes all the tough times worthwhile,” Ellie says.

I sigh. She may have a point.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

Brett

We are in Anaheim tonight, just getting ready in the locker room before the game. I’ve been in touch with Willow when I can, but it isn’t easy getting time on my own. By the time I got to the hotel last night and texted her, she was fast asleep. This morning she called but we were on the bus and the guys were being loud. She sounds good. She told me she watched last night’s game and that made me feel a whole new sense of pride. I told her to make sure to turn on the television for tonight’s game.

“Okay, gentlemen, let’s give it the best you got,” Coach says, giving us our usual pregame pep talk. After a huddle with some cheers, we make our way through the tunnel. I have always loved the rush I get before a game. The guys are all pumped and we are aiming to win. We are on a winning streak of three games right now, so we are hoping to make it a fourth. We all get on the ice for the anthem. Coach puts Wolfe on face off. I’m on the ice too. The Anaheim Thunder is a strong team, they also play rough. As a defenseman, I’m used to fighting and I’ve had my share of injuries. In the past I didn’t care so much, but now I am thinking of my girls back home. They need me in one piece.

Wolfe misses the shot and the other team gets an advantage with the puck at center ice. Evan sweeps in stealing the puck and shoots it across the ice and then we all skate our asses off. The guy I’m tailing is big and fast. I’m six foot three and he’s taller than me. I manage to pass him and block him as Matt sweeps in and takes hold of the puck. As a defenseman I don’t really score many goals, but Matt is surrounded and he shoots the puck to me. I have to think fast. If I shoot to one of the players it would be a shame because I am pretty sure I can get the puck into the bottom corner of the net with the way the goalie is blocking. I take the shot and it goes in. We don’t have too many fans here tonight, but my team goes wild. I lift my stick over my head. “That was for you, girls,” I scream out. “For my girls back home.” I repeat so there is no confusion as to who my girls are.

Evan laughs at my antics and so does Liam.

“You got it bad, bro,” Matt says. “I don’t even know who you are.”

“I’m fucking happy,” I shout. It’s true, it feels good to have Willow and Maylee waiting at home for me. I hope Willow is watching tonight. My blood is pumping hard as we set up for another face-off. The period goes whirring by. A player from the other team trips me. The ref considers it a two-minute minor penalty, even though I think the asshole did it on purpose. After the second period, the score is two to two.

Coach goes over some plays with us during intermission. He also warns us not to end up in the sin bin because this team is tough, and we can’t afford to be down a player. When we head back through the tunnel, we are all determined. The guys are in a good mood tonight, and I think we can win. Coach decides to play our third line at the beginning of the third period, so I am sitting on the bench watching.

“That was some goal,” Liam says, knocking my shoulder. “You and Willow are tight now?”

It’s a question from my good friend. “Not exactly, she’s scared of being with me because of my past. I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

“You’re a persistent guy when you want something,” he states.

“Fuck, Liam, stop trying to convince him to settle down,” Matt cuts in with a scoff, shaking his head with distaste. Looking at Matt feels like I am looking in a mirror at my old self and, fuck, did I have things wrong.

“Bro, he doesn’t need to convince me. I know what I want and it’s Willow.”

“Fuck, why are you still talking like that? I thought you hit your head last time you said shit like that,” Matt snickers.

Liam laughs and so does Evan.

“I was no better before I met Rebel. The right girl is a game changer,” Wolfe explains to our misguided teammate.

“True that,” I say, fist bumping him.

Coach calls me and Matt to the ice. Things move fast on the ice but neither team is able to score, and the game goes into overtime. Wolfe and Evan are already on the ice. We battle it out with the other team. The asshole who tripped me is one of the players, and he smirks at me. Some players use the tactic of playing mind games. He’s hoping to rile me up, but what he doesn’t understand is that I’m not new to this game. I know not to get flustered by an idiot like him.

The game moves fast as we zip up and down the ice. When Wolfe shoots the puck across the ice, I move to block the big fucker trying to get in his way and as I do Wolfe scores a goal. I pump my fist in the air as all the guys come to a stop.

“Take that, asshole.”

“Fuck you, you big drama queen,” he spits and now he’s pushed my limits.

Oh hell no. I rip off my gloves, about to go for the guy, when Wolfe moves in to stop me.

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