Page 17 of The Forever Play

I tense, ready to defend our head coach to the end. That guy saved my life.

“But I’ve gotten used to his style now, and I really respect him,” Wily finishes, and I relax my elbows back onto the table. “What’s the fuckwit’s name?”

Liam shakes his head, and Ethan tuts like he doesn’t want to say, but Casey pipes up from his end of the table. “That’d be Russell Fisher. Fish Sticks. McDaddy Doo-doo.”

What did he just say?

My ears start burning, my back pinging straight.

“Repulsive Russell.” Casey lifts his fork in the air.

“Lame!” someone shouts from the hockey table while a few more snort and laugh at their teammate’s name-calling rant.

“Fish Fucker.” A loud laugh pops out of Casey’s mouth, and Ethan raises his hand to shut his teammate up.

“Case, we get it, man.”

“Oh, come on, bro. I want to think of at least three more.” He clicks his fingers, then grins. “Sheriff Scrotum… Head… Or just Scrotum? Which sounds better? Or should it be Sheriff Ballsack?”

“Casey, shut the fuck up.” Asher Bensen throws a grape at his head, and Liam grins when Casey does a dramatic dodge.

Shaking his head with a laugh, Ethan slaps Wily on the arm as if he’s about to say goodbye, but I can’t let him leave.

My heart is beating so hard my ribs are gonna be permanently bruised.

Russell Fisher.

I know that name!

Snapping to my feet, I spin and face them properly, my expression no doubt doing something crazy because Ethan and Liam both stare at me like I’ve lost my fucking mind.

I think just have.

“Are you okay?” Wily asks, nudging me with his elbow.

“Did he just say Russell Fisher?” I point between the two hockey players.

“Uh… yeah.” Liam nods. “Do you know him or something?”

“I recognize the name.” I can barely manage my next sentence. “Is he at the arena?”

“Probably.” They nod. “We have practice this afternoon, so…” Ethan’s sentence dribbles off as I grab my stuff and bolt away from the table.

“Zan-Man, where the hell are you going?” Wily shouts after me, but like I can stop and answer him.

Russell Fisher.

Well, fuck me.

Sienna used to talk about old family friends they lived next door to in Sacramento. She went and visited them a few times during our year together.

Russell was like an older brother to her, and he used to play hockey. I’m sure she said he played hockey!

Is that the reason Sienna’s here?

Because of him?

My flying run slows to a jog as the thought hits me.

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