Page 21 of Playing the Neutral Zone

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.What did he think went on in my world, what with a nearly seven-year-old sleeping in the bedroom next to mine?I was lucky if I had enough time to watch some porn and get myself off without Mia bursting into my room on me.It most definitely wasn’t his apartment.The guy always had women coming and going.

“Well, when that happens, I use your place,” I said, chuckling as his eyes widened.“Usually when you’re still out of a town after a game.”

“Fuck you.”He chuckled, punching me in the arm as I skated past him.

I stretchedbefore I walked out of the treatment room.Physio the day after game night always felt amazing, until today.

“Feeling better?”Lorelai questioned as she made some notes in my file, like she always did after my appointments.

“Much, at least until everything stiffens up again.”I chuckled.

I’d been hit hard against the boards one-night last week, during the second period, and while I’d not hurt myself, I’d been struggling with some lower back pain.I’d been told to check in with Aurora since she was the one on staff at the game that night, but I’d refused, claiming things were fine.

“I’m sure.It’s not a wonder your back is killing you.Your glutes, hams, and quads were super tight, even your calves.You’ve been stretching after practices and games, haven’t you?”she questioned, looking at me.

“Of course.”I lied, avoiding her eyes.

“Levi….”

“Fine, I have been but probably not as much as I should be.”I shrugged.“However, that hit I took last night didn’t help either.”

“You think?”She giggled.“You should have been in here last week.”

She was right and I knew it.Truth was, I hadn’t been stretching at all, and I was now paying for it.She and I had talked about this, and I knew it was important, but I’d been racing to get off the ice and, on my way, back home most of this past week, especially with Mia not feeling well.I hated burdening Mrs.Fletcher with a sick and crying child, even when she assured me many times that it was alright.

“Levi, make sure you take the extra time, even if you do it at home.I know you take off quickly because of Mia, so I understand.Let’s get you scheduled for next week, before the away games, okay?We need to get those muscles loosened to prevent an injury that could take you out for part, if not for the rest, of the season.”

“Okay,” I answered.

“We’ll do it during your practices.That way Mia is still here in the building with the daycare team.Heck she can even come down here while you are in treatment if it makes you feel better.Now you travel what, Tuesday through Friday?”she asked, looking over her schedule.

“Wednesday to Friday,” I answered, checking my schedule on my phone.

“Yep, I had the wrong week.Okay, how about Monday and Tuesday, after practice.”

“See you then,” I said, adding the appointments to my calendar.

I finally gotMia down for the night, showered, and had just sat down to relax and watch some TV when my phone started pinging with messages.Yawning, I leaned forward and grabbed my phone to see a string of messages from the guys.Frowning, I opened it up, wondering which one of us was going through a crisis and needed help.

Colton: Breaking News: Anderson has a date with some hot chick!

Dylan: Congrats Levi, who’s the lucky lady?

Knox: Shouldn’t we be saying unlucky?I mean, look at him?

Dylan: No, lucky…don’t be a dick.

Clay: Well, he has that way about him.He comes by it honestly.I mean, at least that is what his sister says.

Knox: Not this again…

Clay: You started it.Besides, you should want the best outcome for your teammates, me included.

Lucas: Exactly Clay, I agree, I don’t see that here.

Knox: Kill it Lucas, and Clay, I’ve always wanted the best for my teammates, until one of them went behind my back and did my little sister.

Clay: Seriously??Are we still on this???

---