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TK nodded. “I know that, baby. Wouldn’t miss it. Everyone else is good to go, too? They can all make it?”
“Everyone.”
“That’s amazing, Ty Hayes. I…” He stopped and swallowed. “I can’t wait.”
“Me either. But I’m nervous as fuck. I mean, there’s always a possibility he won’t…you know?”
“Not a chance, baby. It’s all gonna be perfect. Just perfect. So, I’m gonna run. I gotta…I’ll see you tomorrow morning for practice, OK? Hey: have fun with pretty boy tonight.” TK tapped him in the shin with his stick before skating away.
“And you have fun with Sir Sucks a Lot, eh?” Hayes called to him, earning him a lookback and a wink.
His stomach in knots and his breathing beginning to quicken, TK made his way off the ice, through the locker room, and to Coach Hastings’s office, where he knocked and was told to come in. He shut the door behind him and sat down.
“What can I do for you, Travis?” Hastings asked, staring down at his phone.
“Um, yeah. It’s…so you obviously know about me and Ty being in recovery. It’s just that…” TK stopped to wipe his eyes. “I’m sorry. Coach, I’d like to put in a request to be traded from the Islanders organization please.”
He looked up from his phone. “Are you sure, Travis?”
He nodded. “I…yeah, I’m sure. It needs to happen.”
“I have a meeting with Sellars later today. I’ll bring it up, have him talk to Marody.”
“Thank you, Coach.”
As much as it killed him, TK understood that if either of them had a shot at a successful recovery, it’s what was best for them both.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone (33)
February 14
Valentine’s Day
Bridgeport managed to lay the smack down on the Wolf Pack, taking the W with a score of 5-2. Both TK and Hayes put up several points, Hayes scoring two goals, including the game winner, and TK netting 3 assists.
Hayes was named the second star of the game, and after he’d gone out to wave to the crowd and toss his stick to a lucky fan, one of the team reporters nabbed him in the tunnel for a quick interview.
“Tyler Hayes, awesome game out there today. We’re so glad to see you back. Can you tell me a little bit about what it’s like to be back in Bridgeport after being on injured reserve for the past few months?”
“Yeah, it’s, uh, great to be back on the ice, obviously. Being away for so long isn’t something I wanted for myself, but, uh, sometimes things happen and you gotta just roll with ‘em, you know?”
“What’s your goal in terms of the future? Are you hoping to get back to New York sooner than later, or are you OK with being here in the AHL?”
“Listen, you know, obviously the goal is to play at the NHL level. That’s not even a question. But I understand my limitations, and I trust my coaching staff. They say this is where I need to be? Then this is where I need to be.”
“There have been a lot of rumors surrounding you and Travis Kadin recently, and there’s been some speculation about the nature of your injuries and the events surrounding your leave of absence. Can you comment on that?”
“Right now, I can’t. But, both Travis and I will be givin’ a press conference in about 20 minutes, so if you wanna know, then we’ll see you there, eh?”
“We’ll be there. Thank you, Tyler.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Hayes turned and headed down the tunnel, his breath hitching and his pulse racing as he realized that he was about to go in front of the entire world and come clean about what had really happened with him and TK.
It’s not like the rumor mill hadn’t already pretty much solved the case. It’s just that he was no longer going to deny the truth.
As he entered the locker room, the team was busy celebrating Osi’s big win, which put a huge smile on Hayes’s face. He’d come so far from where he’d been last year when he and Hayes played together. Hayes snuck up behind the Russian goalie, who was standing shirtless with just his bottom gear still on, threw his arms around his chest, and squeezed him. “I’m so fuckin’ proud of you, Os.”
He turned around to face Hayes, wrapping him in his arms and resting his head on his shoulder. “Not as proud as I am of you.”
