Page 95 of Unlovable Player

A tall, good-looking guy in a polo shirt and pressed chinos stands up and shakes my hand. “Great game Austin, I can’t wait to see you play in the NHL.”

“Thanks man.”

Alyssa gives me a little smile, like she’s grateful I’m being nice to her boyfriend. But why wouldn’t I be? She’s nice to mine.

“Yes, I want tickets for all those junior games I had to freeze my ass off watching,” she says.

“Don’t worry, you’re top of the list right alongside family.”

We take up half the bar, but the bartender saw the game and is a hockey fan and doesn’t seem to mind. I spot Coach talking to Ma at the bar and her inviting him to join us and warn everyone to be on their best behavior.

Alyssa leans over and whispers, “Lisa looks smoking, Coach Wilson can’t take his eyes off her.”

What?

“You’re imagining things,” I tell her, but yeah, Coach does look like a lovesick puppy. Well fuck, what would I think about my ma dating… well anyone? My whole life she was just single, either that or she kept that shit to herself. I always worried about getting her money to buy her dream house, but I never considered the fact she’d probably want to share it with someone one day.

“What’s wrong babe?”

“Nothing,” I squeeze Seb’s hand and kiss him. “I’m just sad we won’t get to play together anymore.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

I groan. “I meant hockey.”

“We can still play for fun.”

I squeeze his hand, staring at the gold flecks in his eyes I think I’ve memorized the pattern of by now.

“I’m gonna miss you.”

“Don’t, you know I get teary when you’re a romantic sap.”

I squeeze his fingers and pick our hands up to kiss the back of his.

“I love you Hunty.”

He laughs. “You too Cap.”

SEBASTIAN

My phone rings and I step outside to answer it. It is way too loud in there. As much as I love Austin’s family, they’re impossible to have a quiet conversation around.

I have to plug one ear as I press the phone against the other.

“Dad?”

“So hockey’s finished now.” He says.

“You saw the game?”

“I saw.”

Silence.

“We won the championship.”

He clears his throat. “So, you’re still determined to pursue hockey as a career?”

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