Page 57 of The Pucking Player

I prop myself up on one elbow, drinking in the sight of Sophie sleeping peacefully beside me. It’s surreal, having her here in my bed. But as I watch her, I feel uncomfortable. It’s a confusing mix of contentment and fear.

Flopping back onto the sheets, I close my eyes. Slow and steady breaths. In for four, hold for four, out for four.

As my mind races, I scan my body, pinpointing the source of my discomfort. There’s a swirling knot in my stomach and a tightness in my chest.

It hits me.Coach Novak.

The web of lies we’ve been spinning. The thought of coming clean twists my gut. Motionless, I continue to breathe deeply.

I let the grim scenarios, each one worse than the last, wash over me. Coach could bench me, effectively ending our playoff chances, affecting the Defenders as a whole. He could trade me to some backwater team in the middle of nowhere. Hell, he’s got enough pull in the league that he could probably get me blacklisted entirely.

And it’s not just my career on the line. I’d be far from my family, unable to take care of my parents. Both Erin and Kieran still need money to graduate from college. How would they cope if I lost everything?

I spiral through worst case scenarios for a while longer, but gradually, the fog lifts, and a sense of clarity washes over me. The fear is still there, but it’s no longer overwhelming.

Opening my eyes, I turn to look at Sophie again. In the moment of stillness, I realize she’s worth it, no matter the consequences.

The next step becomes crystal clear. It’s time to stop hiding and face Coach head-on.

We need to tell the truth.

I gently squeeze Sophie’s hand, my resolve solidifying. It’s time to come clean.

And if that means taking on the wrath of Coach Novak? Well, bring it on. I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge on the ice, and I’m sure as hell not starting now.

Sophie stirs and mumbles something incoherent, her hand reaching out in her sleep until it finds mine. Her fingers intertwine with my own, and just like that, I’m myself again.

But the peace I’m feeling is interrupted when Sophie suddenly bolts upright, her eyes wide with panic.

“Oh my God, what time is it?” she yelps as she scans the room in confusion, fumbling for her phone on the nightstand. “Shit, shit, shit!”

I can’t help but chuckle at her bedhead and wild eyes. “Good morning to you too, sunshine.”

She shoots me a glare that could freeze hell over. “This isn’t funny, Liam! I’m late for my advanced biochemistry lab. We’re doing enzyme kinetics today, and if I miss it, I’ll fall behind!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down now. You’ll catch up later. It’s just one class.” I try to keep my tone light.

Sophie scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Of course, you wouldn’t understand. This isn’t like missing hockey practice.”

A flicker of irritation sparks in my chest. I’m left speechless as she continues to rush around the room, gathering her things.

I stand up and reach for her, aiming for a good morning kiss. If only she would slow down, I’m sure I could persuade her to come back to bed. “Come on, angel. Stay with me a bit longer?”

Sophie jerks away like I’m on fire. “This is exactly what I was afraid of!”

“Whoa, what?” Confusion and annoyance jolt through me. What the hell?

She’s hopping around, trying to pull on her jeans. It’d be comical if she didn’t look so pissed, and if I wasn’t feeling increasingly bewildered. “This! You! Distracting me! Holding me back!”

I hold up my hands up in surrender, irritation flaring again. “Hey now, calm down?—”

“It’s not only about biochem. I have a med school interviewwith NYU this afternoon,” she cuts me off, taking my jersey and throwing it on the bed, then yanking on her sweater. “I need to be on top of my game, not...” She gestures wildly between us.

“Freshly fucked?” I supplement helpfully, aiming for levity.

“Whatever.” She scoffs and adjusts her sweater.

My mind reels, the sting of rejection I’ve never felt before hitting me hard.

---