Page 28 of Hat Trick

“We’re pieces of work,” I offer.

“Amen to that. Let’s not talk about my abysmal personal life. Did Coach tell you about the first preseason game and what they’re going to do for you?”

I stiffen. I haven’t talked to Coach since our meeting last week, and I have no clue what’s going on. “No. Why?”

“The team wants to recognize you with a ceremonial puck drop.”

“Apuck drop?” I throw my towel at the wall and scowl. “Like I’m some kind of hero?”

“I told them I didn’t think you’d be onboard with it, but no one listened.” Lexi moves the foam roller we’ve been using out from under my hamstring. “I tried.”

“What happens if I don’t do it?”

“Coach said, and I quote, ‘I will drag him by his hair until he’s on the ice.’ Don’t think you have much of a choice.”

“Fine.” I sigh and stretch my arms above my head. My shoulders hurt. My neck does too. “I’ll do it, but I’m not going to be happy about it. I hate attention. And I hate people looking at me differently these days.”

“You play in front of twenty thousand fans every night.”

“Played.”

“Should be a good game,” she says, ignoring the correction. “We’re going against Emmy’s team.”

“Is there anything else we need to do today?” I ask. Hearing about the upcoming season isn’t bringing me the joy it usually does. I don’t want to sit here and talk about the team’s schedule. “Or can I go home and soak in the bath for two hours?”

“You can soak.” Lexi is careful when she grabs my prosthetic and brings it over to me. “You need to make sure you’re changing the position of your hips often. And no sitting in chairs for long periods of time. Prop up your residual limb. Got it?”

“Yes ma’am.”

She watches me put on my leg, and I’m aware of her attention. She lobs a handful of questions my way and furiously jots down notes on her clipboard. It makes it hard to focus, but I manage to get through the assembly quicker than I did earlier this morning.

“Are you taking an Uber home?” she asks.

“Yeah. I don’t feel comfortable driving.”

“Because of the accident?”

“Because I’ll have to use my left foot, and the backwardness of it all throws me off.”

“If you ever want some company when you try to tackle getting behind the wheel again, I’m happy to be a passenger.”

“Thanks, Lex.” I pull on my sweatpants and reach for my walker. “This wasn’t completely horrible.”

“I’m honored. That’s a nice compliment from the guy who didn’t want to see me when he walked in here.”

I huff out a chuckle. “Guess things change. See you tomorrow?”

“And the day after that, and the day after that. You’re going to be sick of me soon, Mitchy.” Lexi drops her elbow to the table and cradles her chin in her hand. A smirk curls on the edge of her mouth, and her eyes twinkle. “Think you can handle it?”

“Yeah,” I say, and for the first time in months, I might actually believe it.

TWELVE

RILEY

Coach

Don’t make me kick your ass for not showing up to the game tonight.

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