Page 58 of Any Second Now
This is all some lovely interlude while I reflect on what’s happened for the past decade.
CHAPTER 12
New Teammate, New Friend?
ATTICUS
“How’d you feel today?” Coach Jackson crosses his arms across his purple and yellow Blizzard hoodie and examines me with too much kindness in his eyes. We’ve stepped off the ice onto the rubber mats—safe for the blades of our skates—that lead to the locker room.
I grind my teeth together. I don’t want to be treated like I’m breakable.
“Great,” I say, my voice too loud. “One hundred percent.” I pull off my helmet and push my curls off my forehead.
“You don’t have to shout, mate. We believe you.” Lachlan snorts next to me.
“Shut your face, dude,” I growl at him and turn back to Coach Jackson. “Seriously. I’m fine. I just gotta get out of my head.”
That kind of weakness is not something I would admit in front of almost anybody, but Lachlan is well aware of my challenges and I know Coach Jackson is always on my side.
“Glad to hear it. And I agree. I’m seeing you hesitate for a split second when you should be going for it. That’ll cost you the puck in a game.” Coach Jackson reaches over to rest his hand on one ofmy shoulders. “But in terms of fitness, you’re in better shape than you were last summer.”
It’s true. Last summer I spent half the time at a bougie lake resort with a couple of the guys, during which time most of us did zero working out. I paid for it when I got back to Fort Collins in August, a month before preseason.
Coach’s words release some of the tension in my body. I sneak a glance at where Raleigh is sitting in the arena. She’s got her feet propped up on the seat in front of her, a cross-stitch hoop resting on her thighs, and is watching me intently. She turns away with a smile when she realizes I’m looking back.
I look down and press my lips together. Last thing I need is Lachlan noticing and having more ammo to make fun of me with.
But he’s already got a smirk on his face. Damn perceptive bastard. Or maybe me inviting her to practice was the more obvious clue.
“One last thing before I let you both get on with your day.” Coach Jackson removes his hand from my shoulder and looks between me and Lachlan. “I’ve got a favor to ask.”
“What do you need, Coach?” Lachlan says.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard that we acquired Barrett Steele.”
I cannot stop a groan. Coach looks at me with raised eyebrows.
“Problem, Atticus?”
“No, of course not, sorry, had something in my throat.”
Lachlan chuckles.
“Anyway, he arrived in town this week. Normally I’d have Kellen reach out to make sure he’s settling in and meeting everyone, but as Kellen’s out of town, I was hoping you two would do it. I know it’s often your group that is the welcoming committee for new players.”
Wait, what?
Surely Coach isn’t asking us to hang out with Barrett Steele.
“You want us to be his… friend?” I spit out the last word.
“Yes, basically. Call him, text him, get him to meet up. Makehim feel welcome in Fort Collins and with the Blizzard. That kid is good—he’ll be a great addition to the team.”
“I dunno, I’ve got a lot going on.” My attempt to push off the request is met by laughter from Lachlan.
“What, your dating lessons with Raleigh taking up all of your time? Your workouts too much? All that time sitting around your apartment by yourself?”
“Shut up, lover boy. Do you think your little girlfriend will let you hang out with Barrett? That kid has a worse reputation than I do.”
