Page 45 of In The Game

“He’s good too—wait, what time is it? Aren’t you playing tonight?”

“Yeah, we’re in the second intermission.”

“And you’re calling me? Shouldn’t you be focusing on the game or looking at plays or something?”

“Probably. But I told you, I’m going to call every day. And I wanted to talk to you before you went to bed.”

She starts to say something but stops.

“Goodbye, Barrett.”

“Goodnight, Raleigh.”

The sound of her voice calms the storm raging inside me. A smile grows on my face, and I’m ready for the third period.

She answered my call.I hang up and turn around to see Sullivan standing there with flared nostrils and a clenched jaw—he's pissed

“Who shit in your protein shake?”

“Are you fucking serious? What is this obsession you have with that woman? You’ve spent years looking for her in every bar we go into, you’ve barely fucked anybody since her, and now this—calling her during intermission? This isn’t healthy, man. You’re turning into a monomaniac, you think she’s gonna be charmed by that shit?”

“She’s hesitant, but I’m winning her over.”

“See? You’re not even fucking listening to what I’m saying! You’re losing your mind. You should have been going over plays with me, we’re in the playoffs! This should be your top priority! This is it, Conway, it’s what we work all year for!”

I snap. “It’s not enough for me!” I take a deep breath. “Okay?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

My arm is twitchy. I roar and throw a punch into the dead air. “I need more in my life. I’m tired of missing out on shit like starting a family or meeting somebody. The last however many years have been planned around the NHL season, and it’s been a hell of an experience, but there’s a lot of shit we sacrifice for it. I’m sick of the constant traveling, the practices and games, the press boxes, the bars, and the fans—and I know you know what I’m talking about, you hate that shit too. Playing hockey was my dream growing up, and I’ll always love this sport, but will I love it as much as my child? My wife? I missed out on five years, Sul! Five! Not just with her, with my kid! I owe it to them to show up now.”

I can’t simply waltz back into their lives, I have to earn my spot. Prove I’m willing to put them first. Getting Raleigh to take me back might be the hardest but most important thing I’ll ever do. We still have futures after this career is over, life doesn’t end when we stop playing hockey. And they are my future.

“So, fuck off about telling me what my priority should be, you have no idea what I’m going through.”

Coach yells, “Tunnel!” and the guys start lining up for our last period. Sully stares at me in a daze, but follows me out.

Banksy leans in and whispers, “If you guys get a divorce, will we still be a family? Do I get two birthday parties?”

Fuck him too.

After our win today, I should be more excited than I am. I love this team, but there’s a heavy weight on my chest that won’t leave until I have them.

Silver lining?Whether she likes it or not, Raleigh and I will be connected to each other for the rest of our lives.

TWENTY

This is the worst fucking rabbit hole. Raleigh has spoken with me a couple more times over the phone and has asked about some messages on Instagram she received. I had no idea what she was talking about. I disliked social media, all this shit is over my head. I’ve been through my DMs twice today trying to find them, but there’s nothing.

After my morning workout, I knock on the social media office door and step inside.

“Hey, Peter, I need help with my Instagram. Gotta sec?”

He looks up from his laptop and gives me a smile. “Sure, what’s up?”

“There’s this woman I’m talking to—”

“Dude, if this is about some leaked nudes or something, we need to include—”

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