Page 38 of Chase
There’s a knock on the door and a doctor and trainer come inside to look me over. They ask about my daily routine, stress, and if anything is bothering me. I laugh in their fucking faces.
When I try to play down the running and working out, my annoying ass brother tells them what’s been going on. At one point he just holds up his middle finger in my face and goes on and on about me getting up every morning to run and then sneaking back out at night when I think no one notices.
Coach walks out after the doctor and trainer who tell us I’m okay to go home and sleep it off. When he comes back in he’s got Jake, Monroe, and Max with him. Great, another fucking intervention.Today sucks so goddamn much.
“I want you boys to hear this and I want your help holding him accountable. I trust you to help me with this since you came to me in the first place,” They all nod their heads in agreement and I want nothing more than to disappear. I should’ve paid more attention when B took up learning magic in middle school.
“Therapy is mandatory, you report tomorrow after volunteering. You’re not getting on the ice tonight, I want you home and resting. No more running. That starts now. Your feetare a fucking mess, Chase. Do you hear me? Don’t fucking think about it. You’re one of my own, and god dammit, you’re getting the help you need and you’re getting it now.”
He takes a breath before continuing, “My brother has had rough bouts with depression his whole life, I know what it’s like to care about someone who’s hurting, let us help you. We’re not just your hockey team, we’re your family and we stick together. Tomorrow Chase, are we clear? Are you good with this?” I give him a short nod because I don’t know what other choice I really have. He palms my shoulder and gives me a reassuring squeeze.
“Who can we call to get him home safely? You boys are suited up and we’ve got a game to play in twenty minutes. Is Evie around? Or that footballer you’re always with?” Coach asks and every single one of these fucks starts smiling.
“She’s at group tonight, and Drew’s got class, but I do know someone else we could call,” Max says with a smug look on his face.Don’t you fucking dare.
My eyes track his movements as he wakes up his phone.Don’t even think about it. He swipes to find what he’s looking for and grins like a fucking fool.Oh my fucking God, do not press call.My eyes go wide the second he starts talking,
“Hey Red, I need a favor.” The devil on my shoulder starts clapping and chanting, “We get to see our girl, we get to see our girl.”Great, I’m about to have another fucking panic attack.
Chapter Fifteen
IT’Sour last dress rehearsal before the showcase and I’m more than ready. When the Director asked me if I had picked the song I was singing, I held my head up high and told her yes with more gumpton than I think I’ve ever mustered up before. I know I’m cutting it as close as possible, but she knows I’ll have no trouble pulling it off, especially with Jake playing the guitar. Hopefully it will all pay off and get Chase to change his tune.
I breeze through my part in the Hamilton skit and the rest of the first half goes off with outta hitch. Everyone is hitting their notes and showing production just how ready we are.
I step on stage for my solo and sing the lyrics I’m hoping stir him into action. The Director and I make some adjustments but I’m otherwise golden. This is gonna work, I feel it in my bones.
I’m backstage gathering my things when my phone rings and my heart stops. Now, Max and I are friends and I love that boy like another brother but seeing his name on my phone has my stomach dropping straight to the floor.
The only time he’s ever called and not texted was when our girl was in the hospital last November.I swear to God above, if anything has happened to my best friend, I will raise hell like Persephone herself.
“Max, everything okay, sugar?” I ask and grip my feather necklace in anticipation of what this phone call is about.
“Hey Red, I need a favor,” he says calmly as if he just didn’t give me a heart attack.
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph I thought something happened to Evie. You scared me, Max. You never properly call unless something’s wrong, but you sound cool as a lemonade on a hot summer day so she must be fine.” I scold him.
“Evie’s good, Red, I promise. She’s in group. But I need your help, you around?” I swear I can hear him smile through the phone when he says her name and I love it.
“You okay? You still haven’t given me an answer,” I ask again.
“All good, think you can swing by the arena?”
“I just finished up with rehearsal, I’ll be there in a jiff.” I don’t hesitate, if he needs my help, I’m there.
“Text me when you get here, park by the player’s entrance, tell security that Coach cleared you. I’ll sort it out from here.” We hang up and I swear I hear him smiling again. I’m cautiouslycurious about what’s going on and grab my things to drive over to the arena.
I’m starting to get more and more anxious while standing outside of the players entrance waiting for whatever this is. The security guard nodded his head in greeting as if he was expecting me and just said that Coach would be right out. Something isn’t lining up as I go over it all in my head. The boys have a home game and Evie’s in group. Drew and Davis are in the weight room last I checked.Why am I here?
A second later, a man I’m assuming is the men’s hockey coach, walks out with a worse for wear Chase Wilton behind him. I’m so surprised that my eyebrows hit the headband holding my hair back.
This is definitely not what I was expecting when Max rang before. The surprise must be written all over my face as Coach offers up all the details that Max left out. Something about Chase not playing and needing to go home. That the boys are already warming up and that Evie is busy. Max called me to get Chase home safely. I’m not really listening to him if I’m being honest. I mean I hear the words coming out of his mouth but I’m fixated on the man behind him.
Chase isn’t bleeding and he’s not bruised more than he usually is from playing hockey. My eyes sweep him over and even though he doesn’t look physically hurt, I see his pain clear as day. He looks sad and defeated again.
All I wanna do is put this man in my pocket and take him home. Fix him up. Make whatever is wrong go away, and make it alright for him. But since he’s staring at his holey sneakers instead of me, I’m guessing he doesn’t want that right now. This man doesn’t know how different things can be and I’m ready to show him.Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.
His hockey coach gives him a hug and a smack on the back before gently grabbing the back of his head. It’s clear he caresabout him and watches until Chase folds his body into my front seat.
