Page 30 of Treacherous
***
Ifinished drawing the last diagram in my notebook, stretching my cramping hand.
Maybe deciding to handwrite my notes wasn’t the best idea. Furrowing my brows, I glance over my notes. I caught up on all my work in one study session. A rarity for me.
I tap my phone screen, blanching at the time. Fuck me. It’s nearly seven, the sun replaced by a bright full moon. I throw things into my bag, not caring about the mess.
I missed hockey training. And not a couple minutes, thewholesession. My heart races, chest growing heavier and heavier. I race down the stairs, running across campus to my car.
I’m going to be benched. Coach West is going to hate me. My teammates are going to hate me.
The intrusive thoughts rattle in my mind, their volume increasing until they drown out every sound. I drive to Lakewood Arena in record time, breaking speed limits with no care in the world.
The car park lights remain on, providing a rouge shot of optimism. I sprint inside, spying Coach West at the equipment shed.
“Coach, I’m so sorry I missed training. I was studying in the library and completely lost track of time,” Every word is quick and breathless as I try to justify myself.
Coach West turns, focusing on me. “You were at the library?” He asks.
I nod quickly.
“That’s fine then. I know how hard it is to balance everything, but this can be the only time it happens,” Coach warns.
A breath of relief tumbles from me and the pressure in my chest eases.
“But you will have to start off the bench this weekend,”
“I understand. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Coach smiles. “I know it won’t. Go on, get out of here.”
I thank him, leaving the rink to head back home. Thankfully, Coach West is understanding, otherwise my punishment couldhave been worse. I can’t believe I forgot training, that has never happened to me before.
I open the front door, going straight for my room. I can’t face my teammates right now, guilt and fear tangling inside me. I’ve let them down.
The beginning of the season is crucial, especially when we haven’t played together for long. I want my teammates to know I care about winning the Frozen Four.
“Where the hell have you been?” Jayden snaps.
Great. The one person I did not want to run into. I suck in a breath, turning on my heels.
“At the library. I’m not in the mood for your shit right now,” I grit.
I know an argument is coming. So much for all the progress we've made over the past few days.
“Not in the mood? I don’t care. Why the fuck did you miss training?”
Anger flares inside me, fists clenching at my side. “I didn’t do it on purpose. Some of us have to do well at their classes because we aren’t guaranteed a career in sport.”
Jayden’s gaze never wavers from me. “So, you can do that in your own time. Maybe try having a schedule and you won’t miss things,”
“Fuck off. This was a one-time thing, I just lost track of time.” I pause, forcing deep breaths. “And for the record, I do have a schedule, I’m just not acontrol freakwho needs to every detail of my life planned out,”
Am I resorting to name-calling like a four-year-old? Yes, but I honestly couldn't care less.
Jayden’s body goes rigid, fury blazing in his eyes. He closes in on me, leaving little space between us. I step back, trying to remove myself from his orbit.
I wince, slamming into my wooden door. Jayden lowers his head slightly, my eyes flicking between his clenched jaw, flaring nostrils, and eyebrows scrunched.
