Page 24 of Playoff
Not great for team unity. These guys had just started winning again.
“Maybe if you talk to him, he'll be him. A person. Not part of our messed-up history, but just a teammate. Because you have to play with him.”
He shook his head. “That's my problem. I’ll deal with it on my own, not talk to anyone.”
For Justin, talking things out was torture. Didn’t mean it might not be good for him. "Maybe he needs to work things out too. It won't kill you to speak to him. You'll have to on the ice, right?"
I grew up watching hockey, even though I’d pushed it aside when people started to use me as a way to get to Justin. I remembered though. Guys yelled instructions, warnings and insults all the time.
He dropped his head down and stared at the frozen image on the TV. A longer sigh. "Yeah. I'll let Cooper know. Maybe we can warm up before practice together."
Justin would handle it better if he was active and not just staring at Denny while trying to work through an awkward conversation.
"That sounds like a good idea. Anything I can do to help?" That’s what we did. Our parents had been flaky when we were growing up. Grandma had been great, but we weren’t always with her. We’d relied on each other, and we still did.
“There is one thing.”
“Absolutely. Just name it.”
“Can you come to the game tomorrow? Or at least come out with us after?”
I sat up. “If you want me to, sure I will. But why?”
“It’s his first game, so everyone will be going out.”
Right, welcoming the new guy. Everyone wouldn’t include some of the family guys with small kids, but there were a good number of single or dating guys on the team. They often went out after a game. Jus had stopped going when he got married, and now even though he often joined everyone after the games, he normally sat near Cooper and kept quiet.
Not going with everyone after Denny’s first game would be problematic. If I went, I could be a buffer for him. Keep people from asking questions, give him someone to hang out with. Cooper would have Callie with him, so Justin wanted extra protection.
I’d absolutely do it. Anything for my twin.
“Do you need me there for the game? It’s book club night.”
“Don’t miss your club—I know how much you like it. But after?”
“I’ll be there. No problem.” I poked him with one foot. "You can pay for my drinks."
He trapped my foot, threatening to tickle it.
"No!" I squealed. "I’ll pay for my own drinks!"
He let my foot go, a little smile on his face. Warmth filled my chest. I'd done that.
“Do we have plans tonight?” he asked.
“Nope. Just us. Maybe we can find a movie to watch.”
Ten years ago, Justin had sacrificed everything for us, his family. I was doing my best to repay the debt. One smile at a time.
Chapter 11
What choice have I got?
Alek
* * *
Cooper had messaged me to get to the practice facility early and hit up the bike room with JJ. He didn’t offer a ride, and he didn’t suggest JJ pick me up. If JJ and I had to talk, doing it while we were on the bikes was probably as good a place as any. We didn’t have to look at each other and he could vent whatever his problem was into working out instead of using fists. Not that I had anything against the guy, but I’d bet another shave that he was among my parents’ victims. Why else was he that pissed with me?
