Page 85 of Shutout
“Of course.” Coach Green rubs the top of his head. “When do you need him?”
“As soon as you can spare him.”
“Okay.” No! Not okay! But the Bolt’s coach obviously can’t hear my mental screaming. “He should finish off the semester first.”
“And when’s that?”
“There are two weeks left.”
I smack my hands against my mouth, otherwise I’ll start screaming. My eyes fix on the spotted granite floors until it blurs. I blink hard, but there’s no stopping the torrent of tears.
“That works,” the other man says. “It gives us plenty of time to do the paperwork.”
“Very well. I’ll talk with him and get it started,” Coach says with a sigh. I hear the smacking of hands shaking. “I’m angry that you’re taking my best guy, but thank you for putting our program in the map.”
“My pleasure. I’ll make sure the organization compensates you for your loss.”
Coach mumbles something I can’t hear but makes the stranger laugh. A second later, their voices disappear and I’m alone in the crowd.
My heart shatters into a million pieces and that’s how it’s going to remain, because there’s no way I’ll ask Brooklyn tostay for me. To give us a chance. Not when he’s about to achieve everything he’s been busting his ass for.
CHAPTER 29
BROOKLYN
“That’s what I’m talking about, baby!” I crash into Jamie, our goalie, and we wrap our arms awkwardly around each other. His stick bumps my helmet, but it doesn’t matter. We just won by freaking shutout.
Dane’s voice approaches from behind. “Aw yeah!”
I turn and we jump to bump our chests hard enough that I feel it under the pads. But a zamboni could drive over me and I wouldn’t feel it. My whole body is a cocktail of dopamine and serotonin, the best mix right before my date with Liv.
Okay so she doesn’t know it’s a date yet. I said we’re going to dinner, but then I’ll ask her on an official date over the best pasta in town.
My eyes scan the crowd, looking for a girl with light brown skin, short brown hair, and my jersey. She does me the favor of always buying tickets around the same area, right behind our bench, which helps me spot her quickly. Her back is to me and she’s climbing the stairs, following the trickle of people slowly starting to make their way out. I’m sure there’s going to be a massive party right after this but I won’t go. All I want is some alone time with Liv.
“Let’s go,” I tell the guys, still celebrating in huddles on the ice. I skate over to the tunnel at full speed and all but skip toward the locker room. I toss my gloves on the bench and open my locker, tearing through my bag until I find my phone.
Me
Can you sneak in to the players area?
I stare harder at the screen, probably making veins bulge in my face, until my text is shown as read and her three dots appear.
*Olive emoji*
I don’t think your coach would approve
Me
Okay fine, I’ll find you at the main entrance
I’ll be super quick
*Olive emoji*
Ew no, make sure to wash properly
I tilt my head, about to ask her just what she wants me so clean for, but I settle for a genericfine. I can’t come on too strong or she’ll balk. She’s the kind of person who naturally goes against the grain, which is why I have to give her a very soft introduction to dating me.
