Page 96 of Blindside Me
“New number?” My voice spikes. “He got a new number just to reach you? What’d he say?”
“Nothing important.”
“Jade.”
She sighs. “The usual Roman bullshit. That we have unfinished business. I think he knows about us.” Her gaze finds mine. “I told him to fuck off and blocked him.”
Heat crawls up my neck. Roman knows about us. Which means it’s only a matter of time before the entire locker room knows. Before Coach knows.
“How would he know?”
“I’m not sure. Roman always had some sixth sense about him.”
“He’s not having you tracked, is he?”
Her eyes dull before she shakes her head. “No. I don’t think he’s that obsessive.”
I curl my hands into fists to keep from touching her. I don’t like this.“If he tries to hurt you again, I’ll flatten him.”
“I’m serious, Drew. It’s nothing.” Her voice softens, and she squeezes my arm. “Don’t let him get to you.”
“If he tries anything at the game, if he gets in my face, I’ll?—”
“Drew.”
Jade steps in front of me. Her voice is soft but firm. “Don’t do anything stupid. We have to tell Coach about us first. That’s why we’re here, remember?”
I nod, but the tension in my shoulders refuses to ease. I know she’s right. I know I’m about to make the biggest gamble of my career. And I know, deep down, that Jade is worth it.
“You still should’ve told me.”
“So you could do what? Fight him again? Get kicked off the team?” She folds her arms. “I handled it.”
I want to argue, but we’re in front of the coach’s door now. This conversation will have to wait. The anger simmers in my stomach like acid, mixing with the nerves already twisting my insides.
This could end not only hockey but everything. My future, my shot, the last thread tying me to Jake. My chest tightens, breath shallow. I can’t lose it all. But I can’t walk away from her either.
I knock two sharp raps.
There’s movement. The door swings open.
Coach Howell stands there in Cessna sweatpants and a worn-out T-shirt. Garlic and red sauce hit me in the face. He made his famous spaghetti.
His eyes hit me first, confusion flickering, and shift to Jade. His expression softens, but when he looks back at me, it’s different. Eyes narrowed and veins pulsing only mean one thing. He’s pissed.
He steps back, barely. “Andrew. What are you doing here?”
The question isn’t friendly.
“Coach, I wanted to talk to you about something.” My voice is miraculously steady. “Something important.”
He doesn’t move. “If it’s about practice?—”
“It’s not about practice.”
Coach’s gaze drifts to where Jade’s shoulder nearly touches mine. He grumbles low in his throat.
“Please, Uncle Rick,” Jade says. “Just hear him out.”
