Page 70 of In My Hockey Era
Becausemaybehe’s right.
AndmaybeI don’t mind.
27
BENCH PRESSING MY FEELINGS
Bennett
The weight bar hovers just above my chest, muscles burning as I push through the last rep.The clang of metal fills the gym as I rack it, exhaling hard.
“Damn, dude.”Chase shakes his head from the bench next to mine, wiping the sweat off his forehead.“You trying to bench press your feelings or what?”
Hunter snorts from the squat rack.“Nah, he’s trying to impress his girl.”
I sit up, rolling my shoulders.“She’s not my girl.”
Chase gives me a look, one eyebrow raised as he takes a long sip from his water bottle.“You sure about that?”
I grab my own bottle and take a slow drink, letting the question settle.
Am I sure?
Lucy and I haven’t exactlydefinedanything, but after Nashville, after the way she kissed me outside that bar, after the way I can’tnottext her every damn day?
Yeah.I’m not so sure at all.
“She’s different,” I admit finally, rubbing a hand over my jaw.“I don’t know… I justlikeher.And I don’t mean just the way she looks, though that’s—” I exhale sharply.“I mean, damn.”
Hunter chuckles as he adjusts the plates on his bar.“We get it.She’s hot.But you’re actually talking about her like you care.”
I don’t answer right away, just glance down at the floor, flexing my hands.
Because I do care.
Maybe more than I should.
Chase nudges my foot with his.“Never seen you like this before, man.”
Hunter nods.“Yeah.We’ve seen youchasebefore—no offense.”
Chase flips him off.
Hunter grins.“But this feels different.You’re not just messing around.”
I lean back against the bench, drumming my fingers against my knee.“Yeah,” I say, almost to myself.“Itisdifferent.”
Hunter studies me for a beat before dropping his towel over his shoulder.“Then try not to mess it up, Wilder.”
Chase smirks.“Yeah, because if you do?Lucy’s best friend isterrifying.She’ll hunt you down.”
I laugh, shaking my head.“Noted.”
But inside, I know the truth.
If I screw this up, it won’t be Mia I have to answer to.
It’ll beme.
