Page 51 of The Ex Puck Bunny
Me: Thanks for being in my corner.
Grady: Always
A long sigh escapes from the deepest depths of my chest. There are people in this world who will tell you what youneedto hear and people who will tell you what youwantto hear.
Then there’s Grady. He just did both.
My family loves me and apparently, Derek would nearly kill for me, but in the aftermath of everything with Trey, I definitely have felt alone. Girls I thought were friends opted to side with the hot hockey player. I was suddenly radioactive. Then again, Grady isn’t a stranger to scandal even though I don’t really know the story.
Grady: Hey, if I were there right now, I’d give you a hug.
I’d give him one back. But I leave the rest of the message unopened, turn over, and don’t fall asleep as my mind whirs in a way that it hasn’t in over twenty-three months.
CHAPTER TEN
I countthe passage of time in workouts, training, practices, and games—there are three of those, two of which are away before I see Heidi again.
Derek would break my knees if he knew how much I’ve been thinking about her. I tell myself that she’s his sister, which means she’s off limits when someone comments about our “Take a Chance on Me” duet in person or online.
She’s much more pleasing to listen to and look at than me, so she gets full credit for the popularity of the video.
Badaszek hasn’t said much more to me than hockey stuff during practice—reminding me not to crowd—to create space and to use the ice during different plays so I’m always in an advantageous position. To work on having more powerful transitions, especially when changing direction. He said to adjust the blade side of my stick a millimeter for shot-blocking. Seems like a small thing, literally, but it made a big difference.
Enforcers sometimes come with a reputation for making up for what they lack in skill with brute strength. Badaszek mustknow that’s not true in my case, otherwise he wouldn’t have picked me.
Truth be told, the Knights don’t really need a goon. All the guys hold their own.
Then again, our captain has alluded to Badaszek having an intuition for the game that’s unparalleled, borderline prophetic.
He anticipates plays in games before they happen and changes strategies because he senses what’s coming. The guy is too honest to cheat or swap insider info.
When asked by the press about his uncanny knack for calling things before they happen, his answer is,“There’s nothing new under the sun—or on the ice.”
The coach’s daughter, Cara, commented when I finally figured out how to upload the video to my account. I saw her after practice the other day, and she told me it was a good start, and then gave some suggestions for creating more content for my “Comeback Campaign.”
Social media isn’t exactly helping me battle my way back into position on the ice, which is just about all the matters.
Plus, I tried doing a video diary a few times but felt dumb.
What do I have to talk about? Sure, I could bang an audience’s ear off about Howe, Gretzky, Roy, or any of the other hockey greats all day. Or analyze plays from a recent game, cite my opinion on ref management of players and potential favoritism, or any number of controversial topics. That’ll make viral content but for the wrong reasons.
After watching the posts Heidi sent during her days with the Lions, I don’t think I could come up with such creative and substantial material. But I take a few photos of what I eat, record myself lacing up my skates, and other mundane things I dub, “A Day in the Life of an NHL player.”
But I’m hardly one. Badaszek hasn’t yet played me during agame and my study of Ted Powell feels more stalkerish than being his shadow.
However, I’ve already learned from him, including how to tighten some of my D-zone moves in certain formation strategies. He also is a king when it comes to the corners.
There’s room for me to up my game and I’ve been killing on-land training, crushing our practices, and taking advantage of optional skates since I haven’t had ice time yet.
Vohn Brandt, the assistant coach, saluted me when I came in from drills. He even said,Keep it up and you’ll be an opener. Meaning, I’ll start playing.
Not going to lie, I am an opener. Or was for the Generals, so it’s disappointing and humbling to experience what very much feels like a setback, joining the Knights. I’d already proved myself and was vital in winning games. Now, I’m back climbing the ladder. Ever try that in hockey skates? It’s not an easy feat.
I consider swinging by the Fish Bowl for lunch, but the team nutritionist is strict and I wouldn’t be able to say no to the Stuffed Potato Skin Pucks. They’re definitely not on the diet plan.
I might also have a hard time saying no to Heidi. Not that she’s asked me anything. More like what I said in the message the other night about wanting to make her smile.
It lights up her whole face. From our kiss in the rain to when she flashes it at Bunny, to when we were singing, “Take a Chance on Me,” it’s like each one helps heal her wounded heart a little more. Brings her back to herself, to a flourishing life even without Bunny’s father in it . . . maybe to a life with me.
