Page 70 of Defensive Zone

Ten minutes later, we’re heading down the tunnel and stepping out onto the ice. I immediately wince as the glare off the ice burns my retinas and the sound of the loud music hits my ears. A wave of nausea comes over me, but I push through a few laps of our end of the ice.

Movement catches my eye in one of the corners on one of my laps. I look up and come to a stop when I see Jackson’s kids, Isabela and Ryan, standing up against the boards with wide, excited smiles on their faces. They’re both wearing Thunder jerseys with “Daddy” on the back and Jackson’s number. Isabela jumps up and down, slapping her little hands against the plexi as she tries to get our attention.

“Well, if it isn’t the coolest Wildes!” Elliot grins, knocking his blocker against the glass.

“I would take offense to that if it wasn’t true.” Jackson chuckles, appearing next to me to greet his kids.

Picking up two pucks from the ice, I take off my glove and pass them to the kids through the small opening photographers use before heading back to the bench and having a drink. As I squirt some water into my mouth, I look up toward where Carter normally sits a few rows behind home bench with Alex. He’s watching me with a slight frown on his gorgeous face.

Sometimes I hate that he knows me so well, because he can read me like the back of his hand, and he knows something’s up.

But before I can react, Elliot knocks his shoulder against mine and asks, “You okay, big guy?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I’m not going to confess my pain.

The doctor said that it could be months until it eases up—if ever—but it’s not good enough, and the more headaches I have, the more I wonder if the decision on when my career comes to an end is going to be taken away from me.

“Have you spoken to the big bro yet?” he asks.

I glance over to where Toronto are warming up on the other side of the ice, and a lump thickens in my throat when I spot Brody waiting at the blue line, watching me with a scrutinizing glare. That’s nothing new. Brody always seemed to have an issue with everything I did, even about the way I tied my laces or the way I taped my stick. I would always do something wrong in his eyes, and clearly, there’s something he’s unhappy about now.

“No, but I better go as it looks like I’m being summoned.”

Elliot snorts, tapping my ass with his stick before skating off toward the net.

With a sigh, I skate over to the blue line where he’s shifting from skate to skate. His brows pinch as I get closer, and I’m about to make a snide remark when he asks, “Are you okay?”

I let out a choked noise in surprise. Holy shit. This is new, and I’m not quite sure how to take it.

“I’m fine,” I say, trying to hide my shock at his genuine concern.

His frown deepens, but I’m glad when he doesn’t push me on it.

“Shall we get this over with?” I ask, motioning to the waiting reporter.

We smile for the mandatory brotherly love photo we always have to take for the media whenever we play against each other, then he motions for me to follow him to center ice.

“So, how are you liking Toronto?” I ask. Hopefully I can distract him from the fact that he knows something’s up, and he’ll leave me alone.

“It’s good. I like it. Nice city, nice people.”

“It’s Canada, what do you expect? Everyone’s nice in Canada.” I chuckle, and that earns me a small laugh.

Holyshiiiit.What is going on right now?

“True, but… I dunno, I feel better now that I’m out of New Jersey. I didn’t realize how much I needed to get out until I got out, if that makes sense.”

I nod. “Yeah, it makes sense.”

He eyes me for a beat, his gaze bouncing over my face like he’s trying to figure me out. My shoulders stiffen on instinct beneath my pads, preparing myself for whatever verbal jab he’ll throw my way, but it doesn’t come.

“How’s your head? Mom mentioned you’ve been getting migraines.”

“It’s fine,” I quickly dismiss. “I’m fine.”

The muscle in Brody’s jaw ticks as he seems to bite back his response.

“I better go warm up.” I motion behind me with my stick. “It was good to see you.”

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