Page 147 of My Wife
Now, I’m a dad and husband. I scrub my hand down my face but do my best to leave all of these thoughts behind as I head into the arena.
But Jessica’s whisper,forgivestays with me as I change … doesn’t leave. I shouldn’t be thinking about how to do that right now. But she was right. It’s like a weight, a restraint.
Get your head on, Ellis.
We have a playoff game against the Titans and while I’d like to say may the best man win, I’m loyal to the Knights, so my brother along with Valjean, and the rest of the Toronto team are going to meet The Beast tonight.
I tape my stick, knocking each of my thoughts out of my head with every turn of the roll.
Ted sits down next to me in the locker room and says, “I’ve been trying to decide if I wish I were in your skates. But they wouldn’t fit.”
“Stuff ’em with socks. Put on my uniform and helmet, no one would know the difference.”
He chuckles. “I do miss you guys.”
“There’s been some drama lately.”
He says, “So I’ve heard. Someone was in hot water with the coach after the laughing incident. But I think there was more to the story.”
True. I was exhausted, in shock, and ready to boil over, just didn’t expect it to come out as laughter. “Did Badaszek give you the details?”
“No, but I watched the game. Three times. Looks like you got into it with Valjean.”
“What else is new? He talks trash about my brother.” And I don’t mean Franklin even though in hockey, whether in high school or the NHL, we think of each other as family, especially on the Knights, which is probably why Ted is in here talking to me.
“What on earth would Valjean have to say about Hendrix? They’re on the same team. I’ve seen your brother talk plenty of trash to you out there.”
“Different rules.”
Redd slaps me on the back with his gloves. “Ellis will always go to bat for his bros.”
“Wrong sport,” Grady and Hayden say at the same time.
Redd pumps his hands. “I’m just saying, let’s all keep our cool.”
“Yeah. Great idea,” I bluster.
Jack says, “He just means don’t be so hotheaded.”
“Okay, geniuses. How should I go about doing that? Any recommendations when someone is trashing your actual brother?”
Hayden says, “Delaney.”
Redd nods his head rhythmically. “Whit.”
Pierre waggles his eyebrows. “Cara.”
Beau comes the closest I’ve ever seen him come to a smile. “Margo.”
Jack says, “The Puck Princess.”
I hold up my hands. “You’ll have to translate.”
Then, all at once, they declare, almost at a cheer, “Jess.”
My face pinches. “All right. I’m the captain, it’s time to focus.”
Ted says, “What they mean is the women in their lives soften their rough spots.”
