Page 146 of Suck My Puck

“Hey, Doc. What’s up?” I ask. That’s when I noticed her concerned expression.

“I just heard from Lucas’s medical team,” she says.

My stomach drops. I can’t tell from her tone or expression if it’s good news or bad news.

“You’re a match, Braden,” Sophie says.

For a second, I just stand there while my brain processes the shock of this news.

Nerves and adrenaline pump hot in my body. “You’re serious? I’m a match?” I finally say.

Sophie nods. “Yes. You’re a preliminary match. There are a few more tests that they’ll have to do to determine if you have all the markers necessary to be a bone marrow donor. But this is a great sign. It’s very likely that you’ll be able to donate bone marrow to Lucas and help save him.”

My legs start to tremble. Tears fill my eyes as I letout a shaky breath. Relief washes over me. It’s such a strong, overwhelming feeling that I feel like I’m about to pass out.

“That’s amazing news,” I say. “Thank you, Sophie.”

I sniffle, realizing that I’m crying. Bella hugs me. I glance down at her, at the wobbly smile on her face and the tears in her eyes.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe it,” she says.

I let out a shaky breath. “Me either.”

Sophie sniffles and wipes away a tear from her cheek, smiling at us.

My brain catches up. “I should go talk to your dad,” I say to Sophie.

Coach Porter needs to know about this as soon as possible. I’m going to miss practices and games, which might upset him. Especially since I’m in the middle of a hot streak. This is going to affect the team. I’ll be out for the surgery, and recovery time is at least a week. Yeah, that’s not a ton of time to be away from the team, but we’re right in the middle of the season. We play multiple games a week. We practice all the time. The team as a whole has a great rhythm going right now, and if I’m gone, it could disrupt how well we play…which could cost us our record so far this season and whether or not we make it to the playoffs.

I brace myself for that familiar dread to settle in my gut, just like it did when I lost the playoffs for us last season and when I struggled through my slump at the beginning of this season.

But it never comes. I don’t feel guilty or upset. Because missing a couple weeks of hockey isn’t really a big deal at all. Even if we lose every game for the rest of the season, I’d be okay with it. If it means that I can help Lucas, then it’s all worth it.

Sophie nods. “Yeah, you should tell him sooner rather than later.”

She tells me that she’s going to forward me the information so I can schedule more testing before the surgery. I thank her for all of her help.

She walks off, leaving me and Bella standing there together, Maizie sitting between us.

I huff out a breath. “I don’t know how Coach will take this, me being unable to play.”

She reaches up and cups my face in her hands. “It’ll be okay,” she says, her voice soft and steady. I instantly feel calmer.

“You’re doing an amazing thing, Braden. Anyone with a heart will understand and support you. And no matter what, I’ll be here for you through it all.”

Comfort washes over me. I gaze at my girlfriend. My incredible girlfriend. As long as I have her, I can get through anything.

I press a light kiss to her mouth. “Thank you,” I whisper against her lips.

I head to the locker room and get cleaned up so I can talk to Coach Porter.

Coach Porter pins me with a hard stare across his desk in his office.

I just finished explaining the situation with Lucas. How I’ll have to go through medical tests, and if I’m approved, I’ll have to have surgery, then take time off to recover right in the middle of the season.

I’m tense as I wait for him to say something. Even though I’ve already decided that I’m going forward with thesurgery, I’m still nervous to see how Coach Porter will feel about it. I want him to know that I’m committed to being the best goalie I can be. I want him to see that I’m dedicated to this team and that I’m willing to work my ass off for as long as I’m able to play.

I don’t want him to doubt my commitment to the Bashers long-term just because I want to help Lucas.

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