Page 43 of The Head Game

August dug through his emergency kit, found a spare warm toque and gloves, and pulled them on.

The slam of the trunk lid was loud in the quiet night and August followed the signs along the paved pathway to the falls.

The roar of the water was immense, growing louder as he approached. It was strange at night with no one around.

A little eerie.

August had come to the Canadian side of the falls as a child with his family but he’d never been on the American side.

August wandered for a while, following the paths that ran parallel to the river, then turned back, trying to burn off the anxious, restless energy inside him.

Eventually, August ended up close to where he started, leaning against the railing and staring at the rushing water.

The falls were illuminated with colored lights and although they’d go off at some point in the wee hours of the morning, they were brilliant now, bright shades that lit up the night sky, the glow of the city of Niagara, Canada, gleaming behind it.

When the colored lights eventually began to dim and the falls went dark, August returned to his car. Even with gloves on, his fingers were half-frozen and aching.

But August didn’t head toward the bridge to take him into Canada, just drove aimlessly through the city and when that wasn’t enough, he walked with no real purpose, the restless energy inside him forcing him to move.

Nico was a talented hockey player. Loved by so many people. What if this was his last game? What if he …

But August couldn’t even think that.

The sky began to lighten on the horizon and August rubbed his tired, gritty eyes.

He took a seat on a nearby bench, then pulled out his phone.

Breath held, August checked social media, searching for an update on Nico’s condition.

The Fisher Cats had released a statement about Nico’s injury. He was conscious and they were running tests. They would update when they had more information.

August sighed and stuffed his phone back in his pocket, letting out a strangled laugh when he caught sight of the buttons on the coat again.

He shook his head.

That night he’d spent with Nico felt surreal now. Like something August had merely dreamed or fantasized about.

But he remembered Nico’s mouth against his, hot and eager. His hands, sliding along August’s body.

The sound he’d made when August pushed inside him.

August suddenly wished they’d been face-to-face on that hotel bed and that he’d seen Nico’s lips part. Had he closed his eyes quickly or had they fluttered shut?

August dropped his head, resting his elbows on his thighs as he wondered what to do next.

He could text Nico but the odds of him checking his phone right now weren’t high. Besides, what if someone else had access to it? August had no idea how or even if Nico had saved his info in his phone.

No, August couldn’t do that.

But it didn’t feel right to drive home and wait to find out how Nico was doing via social media either.

With a sigh, August admitted he wouldn’t feel right until he saw that Nico was okay with his own two eyes.

Could he go to the hospital? Was that too risky?

He glanced at his watch. The sky was light now. Visiting hours would begin soon.

Groaning, August rose to his feet, sore and stiff after hurrying through his post-game routine then being out in the cold for hours.

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