Page 131 of Between the Blue
He’s been acting out of it. Like he’s out there physically, but he’s mentally somewhere else entirely. He’s been slow to react, making sloppy mistakes, and always seeming to be two steps behind. And it’s become abundantly clear how much of an effectthe captain’s performance– or lack thereof– has on the rest of the team. It’s been like watching dominos, seeing everyone else slowly falling apart around him. And it hasn’t been easy.
The last two games were enough for Ben to be the only thing the press and social media comments were talking about, and I can only anticipate the storm that’s headed his way after tonight.
In an attempt to get ahead of it all, I decide to skip the press interviews after the game and head straight to my workspace to start filtering through social media notifications. I’m just about to round the corner when I hear hushed voices.
“James, please. I think it would be in the team’s best interest–”
“Not tonight. I’m not doing it.”
“But you’ll be fined–”
“I’m aware. I’ll take the fine.”
I poke my head around the corner, seeing Coach Barrett and one of the team’s public relations managers huddled around Ben.
“But, Bennett, it wouldn’t be the best look–”
“My answer is no. Just go tell them I won’t be coming. Please.”
The PR manager lets out a sigh, but nods, and he and Bear continue on their way, leaving Ben where he is.
He’s still half dressed in hockey gear, a light sheen of perspiration still present across his forehead. His gaze falls down to the floor, and his sweat soaked hair falls out of place and into his face. He pushes it back, raising his chin as he does so, and, of course, his eyes immediately lock on me.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hi,” he surprisingly says back.
I take a step around the corner, there being no use in hiding from him now. “Do you really think that was the best move?” I ask.
“What do you mean?”
“I just wouldn’t think of you as someone to run from your problems.”
His eyes narrow on me, so I continue, trying to clarify what I mean.
“It’s just…I know you’ve had a rough couple of games. But that's all it is, right? Wouldn’t it just be better to own up to that? Rather than ignore it? To promise you’ll work out whatever it is you have going on? Just so the comments don’t continue to spiral out of control.”
Ben’s jaw shifts to the side, his tongue pressing into his cheek as he appears to hide what looks like a grin. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Um…what do you–”
“A rough couple of games?” He repeats, taking a step closer to me. “Work out whatever it is I have going on?”
“Yes?” I say, incredulous.
“One,” Ben grits, holding up a finger, “you have no idea what you’re talking about. Andtwo,” he pauses, adding another finger, “I highly doubt you’d like for me to tell all of those vultures in there what I havegoing on.”
My brows raise.
“Besides, I’m completely, irritatingly, fucking clueless on a way to workitout at the moment,” he says. “So, yeah, I’d like to choose to continue ignoring it.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know.”
I tilt my head, thinking there’s no way he could mean what I think he means. “Are you implying that it’s my fault you’re playing bad?”
He scoffs out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. “Just leave me alone, Cherry.” He starts to turn away from me, but I storm around the side of him, blocking his path.
