Page 40 of Ricochet

And that’s just the short list of penalties that were called on me.

If it wasn’t for Callum’s natural speed on the ice, he might’ve been caught in one of those legal checks they kept pulling. If he had walked away with bruises, someone would’ve been cleaning blood off the ice tonight.

A lot of it.

I’m more than happy to take all the bruises for him.

He did get hooked once but didn’t get hurt. The winger who did that was fortunate to feel the wrath of my stick instead of my fist.

Coach benched me early in the third period, replacing me with Brooks. I’m probably lucky I didn’t get suspended.

I can’t even fully blame our loss on Callum. We might have done at least a little better had I not been in a fucking mood. Neither one of us could connect a pass with the other if our lives depended on it.

The team played better once Brooks was out there with Callum and Nate. And I hate admitting that.

Still, I had fucked up so thoroughly that the entire team’s dynamic was thrown off.

Even Fitz was pissed with me after the game. He may not be the best goalie, but he wasn’t the one who played their worst game tonight. He blocked more shots than he let in. He’s improved a hell of a lot, and he deserves teammates who don’t let the puck past them too many fucking times. Had we not given them so many opportunities at the crease, they wouldn’t have scored as many times as they did.

Callum and I both received silent glares in the locker room and on the bus on the way back to the hotel.

I want to fix this. Even if it’s just for Callum’s sake.

But I don’t fucking know how.

Everyone has gone inside with the plan to take food up to their rooms from the hotel restaurant. There will definitely be no celebrating tonight.

As for me, I’ll be brooding alone.

Well, not totally alone. I’ll have company soon.

I’m leaning against the outside wall of the hotel with a bag slung over my shoulder, one I kept with my hockey gear. I dial my sister’s number and place the phone to my ear.

“You guys really sucked tonight.”

I roll my eyes. “Hello to you too, Lacey.”

“Oh, like you called to chitchat.”

“Fair,” I say with a grin that tugs at unused muscles. “So do you have what I need?”

She scoffs. “I’m offended you even have to ask. I’ll do you one better. I got you a date. How does a night at the beach sound?”

My grin widens. “Sounds lovely.”

“Sending it to you now. Be careful.”

“I always am.”

As soon as I hang up, I pull my other phone out of my bag. Mydateis set for an hour from now at a beach not too far away. It’ll take just over half an hour to walk there.

It’s a good night for a stroll.

Lacey and I end our calls the same way every time. The truth is I’m always careful. But a walk beforehand will do me some good.

I need to clear my head so I don’t make any mistakes.

I’ve already made far too many.

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