Page 46 of Rule 5: Never Crush on the Captain
I’m the reason the other player got the puck.
“You going gay, DeLuca?” Finn jokes, swooshing past me.
My fingers tense, and I tighten my grip on my stick.
I’m relieved when our line is called off the ice, but I then realize that cameras might be on me. I wonder if the sports announcers are discussing the rumors about Evan and me. I wonder if they’re laughing.
I don’t look at Evan.
I can’t look at Evan.
My heart beats more from our time on the stands than our time on the ice.
This is for the best, I remind myself.
But guilt still swirls through me.
We don’t win, and for the first time, I wonder whether I should retire. I could tell my agent that I want to be traded. He’ll think I’m crazy, but he won’t like a string of losses from me either.
The mood is still in the locker room. We’re not used to losing. Well, not against this team at least.
Coach makes a speech, and I pretend I don’t feel his gaze on me. I’m sure it’s on Evan too. He’s not the only person looking at me.
I’m still, as if I can disappear into the furniture, but of course, the notion is ridiculous.
We shower and dress in our suits, then head for the bus. We play in Hartford tomorrow, and we’re going straight there.
“Daddy!” Stella’s high-pitched squeal interrupts my thoughts.
Pounding sounds, the light, seven-year-old version kind, then Evan swoops Stella into his arms.
She gives him kisses, and I turn away.
“It’s Vinnie,” she says.
I wonder if I can get away with pretending not to hear her, but I’m not that much of an asshole. Well, not all the time, at least. Not to little girls.
I turn to her, pasting a smile on my face.
“Hi Stella,” I say.
But Stella is not smiling. Stella, who is sunniness itself, is frowning. “You left without saying goodbye.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Her eyes remain narrowed. “That was rude.”
“I know.”
I glance at Evan, and he raises his eyebrows in an I’m-not-going-to-defend-you manner. Then he gives Stella a soft I’m-proud-of-you smile.
I stifle a snort.
“Daddy was sad,” Stella says.
Evan’s face drains. “That’s enough, Stella. Otherwise, I’ll really torture you when you get to junior high.”
“What do you mean?”
