Page 88 of Stick Play

“Oh yeah,” I blurt out in a fake happy voice that probably isn’t fooling my very astute dad. “I just wanted to make sure you all knew she had to leave.”

“Yeah, it’s all good, son. Now remember, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, so get out there and win.”

I laugh at that and how he says it to me before every game. He even did it when I played in my younger years. “Okay, Dad. Say hi to everyone for me.”

“Will do.”

With that, we end the call and I stare at my phone for a second, itching to call Gina. Since she doesn’t want me to, I shoot off a text. Hey, she didn’t say anything about texting. “Hope your flight was good. I look forward to seeing you when I’m back.” Okay, yes, that was fishing, but I’m in love with a woman who just found out I kept something pretty important from her, something that could be viewed as me being manipulative. Then she jumped on a plane back to where she used to live.

As my brain spins, I throw everything into my locker, tug on my helmet, and make my way out to the tunnel. Brady is already on the ice warming up and when he sees me, he comes over, taps my helmet and orders, “Head in the game, Mountain.”

“You can count on it.”

I stretch out, go through my warm-up drills, and prepare to play. If anything, I plan to channel my worry and my anger at Theo into winning this fucking game.

Soon enough the puck is dropped and as a professional, I manage to tune everything out but what is expected of me, and honest to fucking God, I’m pretty sure I’m playing better than I ever have before.

By the time the third period comes around, and we’re up two to one, I catch Theo smirking at me. Motherfucker. Is he trying to break us up because he wants Gina for himself? He does seem to like the women I’m with, judging by the way he went after Liza. I really am going to pound him when we get off the ice.

Right now, however, I’m going to channel the anger into the two forwards determined to take me down. I glance to my right and spot Tuck, and he goes after the guy with the puck, forcing him to shoot it and when he does, I intercept and take it behind the net. The next thing I know, I’m hit from behind, and a fight for the puck ensues. I come out victorious and get it to Tuck who sends it to Elias, and they take the play to the other end.

Breathing heavily, I reposition, and glance at the clock. As the play comes back our way, they pull the goalie, and we all prepare. Chaffin, fast motherfucker that he is, works the puck around me, and I chase him. He takes a shot on net, and Brady stops it with his glove. “Yeah, man,” I yell, and a second later, the clock runs out.

We all hug, and after we celebrate, we head off the ice. I go through my normal after-game routine, and after speaking to the media—thank God they were more interested in the game than my personal life—we’re bussed back to our hotel.

“Grab a beer?” Noah asks and throws one arm around me.

“I think I’m just going to call it a night. I’m tired and if I have a drink and I’m around Theo, I might just fuck him up.”

“Tuck already did that for you.”

I grin, loving my hockey family. “Yeah, but I’m going to call it a night.” Desperate to be alone, to check my phone, I stab the elevator button as the guys all head to the hotel bar. I hurry to my room, and tug my phone from my pocket. I exhale a big, relieved breath, when I see a message from Gina, telling me I had a great game. I want to ask if I can call, but she made it clear she didn’t want that, so I shoot back a message.

* * *

Me: Everything going okay with your grandparents’ stuff?

* * *

Gina: So far so good. I’m just falling asleep with Zoe, so talk soon.

* * *

Me: Wait, when are you back?

* * *

Gina: Monday, same as you. Bye, Ash.

* * *

Me: Bye.

* * *

With that, I set my phone down. Jesus, that’s the second time I said goodbye to Gina on the phone, and the second time it felt far too final. But maybe it’s not. She did say talk soon. But what the hell does she want to talk about and why couldn’t we do it before she left, or even now? I don’t know, but what I do know is by the time the sun comes up, my thoughts are back on Gina and what’s really going on.

The next few days and games go by in a blur. I’m not sure how we won, considering I was in a daze for most of it. I finally arrive home Monday evening, and my heart is in my throat, wanting to talk to Gina. As I ease into the driveway, disappointment settles in the pit of my stomach. Her car isn’t here. In fact, there are no cars in the driveway. Where the heck is everyone? I head inside and call out, but no one is here. It’s after school and the boys should be home by now. I grab my phone and message Dad.

---