Page 84 of Hat Trick

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask.

“Nah. I don’t want to take any pain meds. I started to rely on them too much after my surgery, and I don’t want to go down that road again. I’ve also looked into things like mirror therapy, but I think I need to get a year of healing under my belt before I try anything new.”

“I know I’m not qualified for anything beyond athletic training and some physical therapy, but if there’s something I can do to make the pain less, I’m happy to try.”

“Weirdly enough, these exercises are helping. I’m feeling less of the phantom sensations than I was in September and October.”

“You’re strengthening the muscles and nerves in your right leg. That helps with the pain, according to my research.”

Riley gives me a long look, and I don’t know what he’s trying to convey. His eyebrows are pulled together, but there’s a softness in his gaze. Gratitude, almost, in the tilt of his head and his heavy exhale. “It means so much to me that you’ve spent your free time looking things up on my behalf.”

“I’ve never worked with an amputee before, and I want to make sure we’re doing this right and in a way that could get you back on the ice one day.”

“Do you… still think that’s possible?” Riley asks, and I nod.

“I do. You’re making a lot of improvements, and as we start to shift to the exercises your body remembers from years of playing hockey, we can talk about approaching the ice again.”

He swallows and glances at me. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’re doing, Lex. I wouldn’t be this far along in my recovery if it weren’t for you.”

“Yes, you would.” I hand over his water bottle, and when he takes it from me, his fingers brush against mine. An electric current runs through me with the contact, and I have to control my breathing. “You’d be just fine.”

There’s a pause, but it’s not as awkward as before. Riley sips the water and stares at the wall. I set the towel next to him and sit back on my stool.

“It was good, wasn’t it? Our night together,” he says.

“No.” I can’t help but smile, remembering his words. “It was goddamn incredible.”

“That’s a good answer. I won’t bring it up again.”

“Moment of honesty?”

“Please,” he says.

“I’m glad you did. It was one time. I had a lot of fun. We’ve acknowledged it happened, and now we can go on with our lives.”

“Friends?” Riley holds out his hand, and I wrap my fingers around his.

“Friends,” I repeat. “Now get on your back, Mitchell, so I can torture you some more.”

“There she is.” He laughs, light and loud. “Glad to see you again, Armstrong.”

This friend thing is going to be so goddamn easy.

TWENTY-FIVE

RILEY

Puck Kings

Easy E

What do you think, baby? Do you like it?

*Attachment: 1 image*

Sully

Why the fuck are you sending us pictures of you shirtless in a motorcycle helmet?

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