Page 130 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
I battle with my conscience, my thumb hovering over the message button.
The need to reach out burns through me, and eventually, it becomes too much to ignore.
31
CASEY
I’m in the bathroom taking my makeup off when my cell pings with a notification.
Assuming it’s Parker, I ignore it and continue with what I’m doing.
The events of the night spin through my mind, and as usual, thoughts of Kodie aren’t far away.
I hated seeing him struggling on the ice. It was jarring. He’s usually so strong and together; watching him fumbling plays and shots really didn’t sit right with me.
He’s better than that.
I tugged my boots and Monroe’s jersey off as soon as I stepped into my apartment.
The second Kodie looked at it, I regretted the childish decision.
I don’t want to be the girl who plays games to get attention, although I fear it’s what I’m turning into. That’s how all this started after all.
I also don’t want to be the girl who breaks all the rules, but here we are.
Shedding the rest of my clothes, I pull on a tank and pair of sleep shorts and crawl into bed.
After getting comfortable and switching the TV on to watch highlights from tonight’s games, I grab my cell.
I tap on the Instagram notification without thought, but when the messages open, my heart jumps into my throat.
Kodie Rivers has sent me a message.
And it’s not from his public account, the one I’ve shamelessly scrolled through a million times over the years. It’s from the private account that is locked up so tight I’ve often doubted if he lets anyone in.
“Oh my god,” I whisper as I tap to open the message.
I don’t know what I’m expecting to find staring back at me.
Sure, I know what I want. But I have very little hope that this is an apology and a Kodie Rivers booty call.
A girl can dream, right?
Hesitantly, I open the message, and the second the words appear before me, all the air rushes from my lungs.
Kodie Rivers: I’m sorry.
I sit there with my mouth open, blinking in disbelief.
All thoughts leave my head, all possible replies vanish, and I lower my cell into my lap as I stare blindly at the TV.
The Vipers – Bandits highlights are playing, and I get the displeasure of watching Rett grind Kodie into the boards over and over again. It was bad enough seeing it firsthand, but watching it again makes it look even more brutal.
Rett really is going for it. And it only takes a few more highlights of the game to really appreciate just how much he had it out for Kodie. Rett plays rough, as he always has. But he was gunning for Kodie tonight.
Before I know what I’m doing, I’ve found his contact and I’ve hit call.
I’m not expecting him to answer—he’ll be out celebrating their win. But after only a couple of rings, the call connects.
