Page 63 of Mr. Charming

She rolls her eyes, and I skate over by the girls.

Conor stick-handles the puck for a bit. “Count me down.”

Tweetie skates up next to him. “Three. Two. One!”

Conor starts skating, and I’m fearful for Decker, although he doesn’t appear to be afraid in the least, grinning the closer Conor gets to the net.

Conor circles behind the net, and Decker loses sight of him, allowing Conor to skate around and just tap the puck into the net. Conor raises his arms and does a celly I’ve never seen him do. I wish I had my phone out so I could get some footage of this. Conor laughs as Decker takes off his helmet and tosses it on top of the net, shaking his head, but still has a smile on his face.

“My turn!” A little boy is already skating toward Decker.

He tries to grab his helmet, but the kid is fast.

“No!” Rowan skates toward the kid to grab him, but he’s too late.

The kid swings his stick back, hitting the puck, and it all happens in slow motion. The puck in the air. All of us yelling no. Decker’s shocked expression right before the puck hits him square between the eyes.

Rowan swings his arm around the kid’s waist, swooping him up. Decker falls forward, his hands covering his face.

“Oh my god.” I skate over there, but Tweetie beats me to Decker.

He squats, and everyone circles around us.

“Let’s see,” Tweetie says.

Decker lifts his face, and everyone groans at the blood streaming down his face. He seeks me out, giving me a look to say, “I’m done.”

Thirty-One

Tedi

We’re in the emergency room, Decker and I behind a curtain, waiting for the doctor.

“It doesn’t look that bad,” I say even though it looks very bad. He has two black eyes forming, and I’m fearful his nose might be broken.

Decker just gives me a pissed-off expression, and I don’t blame him.

“You’re the one who accepted the challenge.”

“Well, I wasn’t prepared for a kid to go rogue.” He rocks his head back, closing his eyes.

“At least it was only a kid.” I try to offer a little positivity.

“Would you like to be sitting here? You are aware that the way I earn a living is based on how well I can see the ball, right?” He glares.

I sink down in the seat. “I said I was sorry, like, a million times.”

He picks up his head and sighs, not looking at me. “I get it, Tedi. I get that it’s hard for you with him.”

I stare at my lap.

“I see the way you look at each other.”

I shake my head, still not meeting his gaze.

“Yes. You know, it’s funny. I always had this crush on you when we were younger.”

“What?” I look up, and he’s nodding.

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