Page 12 of Aftersome
“Didn’t think you’d actually show up!” James rounded the table where a few of our teammates sat and slapped a hand on my shoulder.
Almost immediately I felt like I had been put under a spotlight as all the guys turned my way and nodded in hello. Inoticed the surprise on a few faces, while other looked less than thrilled to see me.
“Didn’t have much of a choice,” I tried to joke, but instead it came out harsher than intended.
“Well, we’re glad you decided to show up, aren’t we, guys?” James beamed, then shot some hard glances at the rest of the team who eventually raised their glasses and nodded in agreement.
Yeah. I’m sure you’re all real happy I’m here.
“See.” He draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me over to an empty stool at the table. With Vince, our captain, on the right of me, and Trevor, the team’s physical therapist, on the other side, I was half tempted to turn right the fuck around and leave. Out of everyone on the team I could sit by, I found myself stuck between a guy who couldn’t stand me and one who tried talking to me every chance he got.
Without much of a choice, I awkwardly fit my large body onto the stool and inwardly groaned when I noticed Trevor turning in his chair to face me.
“Malachi, good to see you, man!” His overly enthused voice instantly caused my blood temperature to rise. Small talk wasn’t my forte. Never had been, never would be, but that didn’t stop dipshits like Trevor from opening their mouths.
Briefly making eye contact, I gave him a curt nod.
“How’s your shoulder doin’?”
On instinct, I found myself rotating the muscle in my shoulder, causing a dull ache to spread throughout the area and down my arm. He must have noticed my discomfort and quickly leaned in close.
“It’s fine,” I gritted through the pain. The last the thing I wanted was for him to cause a big fucking scene, especially with Vince sitting right next to me. I was already high on his radar and I could feel his attention slowly shift over to me.
“You sure? I can take a quick look at it if you need me to?”
Irritation swept through me as my jaw set.
“No,” I ground out. “Like I said, it feels fine.”
It wasn’t, but I’d rather sit here in pain than rehash an injury from a month ago that Coach and everyone else believed to be healed. After a lengthy three-week recovery, I couldn’t take sitting on the sidelines any longer. I looked as useless as I felt, watching my teammates every game and practice from the bench. Without my presence out there, I anticipated for at least a one- or two-game struggle, but what I didn’t expect was for them to fucking dominate without me. Win after win, my one and only purpose in life was slowly being stripped away from me and I knew I had to do something about it.
I needed back out there.
I needed my distraction back.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” Trevor responded on a swallow as our eyes met. His mouth was turned upward in a half smile but it was clear to see the apprehension in his weakened stare. “If it starts to give you trouble again, just let me know and I can check it out.”
I inwardly scoffed.
Nice guy shit.
That was Trevor. Always smiling and offering a helping hand to all the players, even if they didn’t want it. It was nauseating. Granted, it was his job to “help” us, but even off the ice, away from the confines of the stadium, he would go out of his way to make sure everyone was straight.
The man rubbed me the wrong way from the very beginning. From our first encounter. It was obvious I wasn’t like the rest of the guys. I wasn’t open to shooting the shit or getting to know anyone on a personal level, but this guy… He made it his mission to try and peel back my layers.
Too bad there was nothing for him to see. I was hollow as this table here.
“Will do,” I mumbled to myself, when seconds later a large glass of beer was being placed in front me.
“Here you go, big guy. Didn’t know what you would want, so I got you my go-to drink.”
“Thanks.” I shot James a glance over my shoulder and brought the cool glass to my mouth. I wasn’t much of a drinker these days, but to get through the next hour, I was going to need this fuckin’ drink.
“Surprised to see you made the effort to come today,” Vince rumbled over the brim of his drink, causing my heart rate to spike. Granted, I was already prepared for his commentary, I didn’t expect it to be so early on.
“Oh, come on, Cap.” James filled the space between us and laid an arm around both of our shoulders. “Give the man a break. He’s here, that’s all that matters.”
My jaw set.
