Page 15 of These Wicked Games
Struggling to my feet, the intrusive thought to kill him comes to mind. It’s not the first time. I’m not a killer, though, and honestly, despite what I do for a living I’m not that violent. I step closer to him, ready to fight, and freeze when he pulls a gun out of his pants.
I throw my hands up, backing away a bit. This isn’t the first time he’s threatened me with a weapon, but a gun? “You’re going to go upstairs. Go to bed. Then in the morning you’re going to come down here, go outside to the rink, and we’re going to run drills until you fucking drop. I’m tired of the shit show you keep putting on.”
I swallow, backing up watching him, afraid to turn my back on him. I’m shaking now as I enter my room. Taking my first real breath of air, I look around. My mind acts fast and I stuff clothing into a bag. I can’t carry much but at least money isn’t an issue. While he has access to my bank account, he can’t take anything out of it or freeze it without me. It’s more about control for him, about keeping an eye on me rather than stealing.
No, my issue is much deadlier.
One crisis at a time.
Stuffing my things into a bag, I can barely close it, and I grab my phone, calling Vanessa, feeling like shit. She’s probably just getting home but I can’t stay here. I have to get out and I have no one else. I have to leave. Tripp will be going to bed soon, and unless he’s changed the codes to the door I can slip out easily. I need to get away from him. “Andre?” Vanessa’s sleepy voice makes guilt chew at me.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Are you crying?” Her voice is clearer now.
Am I? “Can I crash at your house? Just for the night.” Just until I can talk to Coach tomorrow. I can’t do this anymore. I’m so fucking tired.
“What did he do?”
“Just . . . please? Just for tonight. I promise.”
“Do you need me to get you—”
“No! Uh, no.” I don’t need her car showing up on the cameras. God knows what Tripp would do to her. “I’m coming in a bit. I have to wait until he’s asleep.”
“Oh sweetie, no problem. I’ll be here.”
“Thanks.”
“Be safe. Be careful.”
For the first time in my life I’m not worried about any of it. I just need to get out. I need a change. I can’t be around him anymore. I need to run, and this is the only way I can do it.
I just hope Coach agrees to what I have planned.
five
Oli
“Oli, wait! Wait!” Andre squeals as I shove him into the lake. It’s nearing two a.m. now, and the only things out here at this hour are the frogs, crickets, and us. It’s humid in the off season, and times like now I wish I could stop time. For so many reasons actually.
Andre pops up. I jump in after him, our clothes long forgotten on the beach. The icy water shocks my system as I paddle to the surface. “Oh shit, that’s cold,” I laugh, breaking through the surface. Andre’s hair is spilling down his back now. I like how curly it is; my fingers itch to touch it.
Shit, I have to stop those thoughts. They’ve been happening more and more and I don’t know why. Ever since he came out to me it’s had me thinking. I’ve never really felt much one way or another. For so long hockey has been my focus, but now that I’m on track toaccomplish my goals I feel like I can breathe. Next stop NHL. I’ll do it too. I will. I already have scouts watching me.
My mother has a round of chemotherapy next weekend. I have to fly out on Monday to take care of her, so Andre wanted to pull me out of my thoughts and go for a drive, and we ended up at this lake near Saratoga. I’m almost certain we aren’t supposed to be out here at this hour, but Andre seems relaxed. Not much seems to worry him lately.
“Do you want me to go with you?” He swims to me, the cold water making his skin a touch paler as he pretends not to shiver. A big bruise decorates his eye, and when I asked about it he said he fell off his bike.
“Oh, no, I’ll be okay. This is her second round. She knows what to expect now.” He wades in the water, nodding. It’s so peaceful right now. Maybe it’s the night air, but something comes over me. “Can I ask something about, you know . . . what you told me?”
“That I’m gay?” He laughs a bit. “Shoot.”
“How did you know?”
He cocks his head. “Why, Oli?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Just curious, I guess.”
