Page 15 of Just My Puck
When I reach the arena, a cluster of fans are waiting out front. A good number of them are kids, which is pretty routine for the weekend. I stop to sign their jerseys, then ask them to sign my cap. I have a whole stack of caps at home signed by kids—my most prized possessions.
“Hey, Cap,” some of the guys call when I saunter into the canteen.
“How are you feeling?” Miles asks when I grab my plate and join them.
I sit down across from Miles and Adler. “All good. A bit tired, that’s all. How are you guys?”
“We’re good,” Beaumont says from my right. “Adler, on the other hand, is on cloud nine.”
I glance at him, and indeed, his smile is brighter than ever. “What’s up?” I ask.
“I got engaged last night.”
“No way!” I high-five him. “Congrats, dude. I’m happy for you.”
He ruffles his hair. “Thanks, Cap. Yeah, it’s pretty crazy.”
“That she said yes?” Beaumont teases. “For sure.”
We all laugh, and I just shake my head. I knew Adler would be getting engaged soon.
Even if I know better, it seems like it’s been so easy for them. Finding a girl, proposing, and getting married. How do they even manage the work-life balance? Because no matter how much I’d like to have someone by my side, the idea of leaving her behind half the year is unthinkable.
“Speaking of crazy things,” Miles chimes in, forking a piece of bacon. “How’s the girl from last night? Still in the hospital?”
I take a sip of my water. “Actually, she’s at my place.”
“Quoi?” Beaumont practically shouts.
“Dude,” Adler says. “Why?”
I now officially have the attention of everyone in the canteen, teammates and staff alike. “Well, when I slammed into her yesterday, her head hit one of the steps pretty hard, and that caused damage to her brain. She’s all right physically—aside from a minor eye injury and a nasty bump—but she has no recollection of who she is.”
“No way,” Miles whispers, leaning back into his chair. “Wow.”
“I couldn’t just leave her atthe hospital. Not when all this is my fault. So yeah, she’s staying with me until she figures out who she is.”
“And I thought my news was big,” Adler says, massaging his forehead. “So, let me get this straight. This girl is at your place right now? Alone?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
“Dude, you should have called the girls,” Beaumont chides me. “I’m sure they’d have been happy to hang out with her.”
“I offered, but she wanted to be alone. Who can blame her? She’s in a tough spot.”
Wally’s snort booms from the end of the table, and we all turn to face him. Wally, AKA the resident grumpy goalie of the team, doesn’t participate in our conversations much—let alone snort in response. His sharp eyes land on me. “Watch for that girl fleecing you while you’re here.”
The guys laugh, and a bead of sweat forms on my temple. Would she really do that? I didn’t even consider the possibility. It’s just my trusting nature. But I guess, hypothetically, Jane could wipe out my entire place. Would she, though? I’m pretty good at reading people, and I didn’t get that vibe from her.
“I guess she could,” I say. “But I don’t think she will. She literally has nowhere to go, and she doesn’t know anyone. Stealing the contents of my place wouldn’t help with that dilemma. She has bigger fish to fry.”
“Just saying, lad,” Wally grunts in a low voice before returning to his breakfast.
“That’s insane, though.” Adler plays with his fork. “I can’t imagine waking up not knowing who I am.”
“Yeah, especially since you’re so full of yourself,” Beaumont teases him.
“As if.” He scoffs. “Max ‘The Hair’ Beaumont, you’re probably the most vain player on the team.”
