Page 69 of Just My Puck
I shake my head, relaying the cascade of unfortunate events that led to my injury. It’s insane, recounting this story again. Who am I kidding? There’s no way they’re going to believe me. It sounds so fake. No one can be that unlucky.
“This is—wow,” Alice says, eyes widening. “Talk about bad luck.”
“But then, you came into the coffee shop and won the hockey tickets,” Marissa chimes in with a smile.
“And she ended up in the hospital,” Emma counters. “Not sure what your point is.”
A small chuckle ripples through the group.
“Actually,” I say, glancing at Caleb before turning to our friends again. “I think it was a lucky ticket. Because if it weren’t for that accident, I wouldn’t be here today.”
A collective “aww” follows, and before I know it, I’m being wrapped in a group hug, warm and comforting. I laugh, soaking in the love until we all break apart.
“So, yeah.” I tuck my hands in my coat pockets, and Caleb draws me in for a side hug. “I’m not mad that it happened, because this is my life now. Well, if you still want me to stay.”
Laughter fills the space.
Beth scoffs, flashing me a warm smile. “Come on! Of course we do.”
James narrows his eyes in mock seriousness. “Wait . . . you never rooted for the Sharks, did you?”
I giggle. “Nope. Dawn was never a hockey fan.”
He arches an eyebrow. “But Ariais?”
I chuckle, bumping his arm. “Of course I am.”
The guys cheer, offering me fist bumps.
“As if that was a vetting process,” Beth teases, looking up at James. “Irooted for the Sharks, remember?”
He places his hand over Beth’s mouth, then kisses her. “Please don’t bring that up. Ever.”
Everybody laughs again, and Caleb squeezes my shoulders, throwing me a warm look. One that says he knew from the beginning that everything would be fine.
“Where is Wally?” Marissa asks, checking her watch. “We’re leaving in five minutes.”
“No idea,” Aaron says, glancing at his phone.
Our friends all check their phones, but no one has any messages from him. They break away to ask the other players while Caleb checks with Coach Martin and the rest of the staff, but no one has heard from him.
We’re all still scrambling when a black SUV pulls into the parking lot.
“There he is,” James says. “Cutting it close.”
“All right, gentlemen,” Coach calls, his deep voice booming. “Let’s get on the bus. We’re leaving in a few minutes.”
While everyone files into the bus, we wait behind to say hi to Wally. He gets out of his car, his face fixed in its usual grumpy setting. But instead of stalking straight toward us, he opens the passenger door, and a woman steps out.
My mouth parts as I blink fast. And I thought my news was big! Everyone practically has their jaws on the floor as Wally and the girl walk toward us.
“Could be his sis—” Marissa begins, but Wally takes the woman’s hand.
“Definitely not his sister,” Aaron whispers. “What is happening?”
“Looks like Grumpy Wally has a girlfriend,” James mutters with a surprised smirk.
Wally stops next to us, and no one dares to speak.
