Page 38 of Westward

“How long are you staying?”

“A week. Then I have to get back to the trainer and the team. His assistant, Noah, will be there as well, getting everything prepped. But if I don’t get there on time, it won’t be Noah who kicks my ass. You know Samuel. He gets wrinkled when you don’t follow his instructions.”

My lips twitched at the thought of the fifty-something-year-old hard-ass who was in charge of our conditioning and strength. “He’s been at it longer than either one of us has been alive.”

“I didn’t realize he was that ancient if he was working there longer than you’ve been alive.”

“Oh, shut up.”

“I can’t help it. I get to sit on the bench and watch you in all your glory, so I need to throw something at you if it’s not going to be a puck.”

“And here I am, training my competition.”

We both sit to lift, keeping up our counts. “As if I’m any competition to you.”

“You are, and we both know it. But I’m not going to just give you my spot.”

“Damn straight. The only way I could take it is if you retire or get traded.”

“Don’t say the T word.” I shuddered, being a little overdramatic because I didn’t want Jacob to dwell on the retirement thing. Yes, I was still young enough to play, but I wanted a future. I wanted something beyond this. I wanted Lizzie.

And while Lizzie had never once asked me to retire, or to stop playing, she hadn’t ever asked me to choose her either. I wanted a future that consisted of a different life. One where I wasn’t beating up my body for hours on end and forgetting the people around me. I loved traveling, but I was exhausted from it. I wanted a family. And while most of my friends on the team and in the league could do both, I wasn’t sure I could. I was an all-or-nothing kind of guy, and that was worrisome.

“Hey, I don’t mean to bring this down or anything, but you heard anything from the police?”

I winced. “No. Not recently.” They still think it was a rival fan, but they don’t think there’s any danger beyond that. Crime of opportunity and all that shit.

“Coach is furious, you know.”

“Oh, I know. That’s another group chat that I have to deal with,” I said dryly.

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” He gestured towards my knee. “You are okay?”

“Of course I am. I’m going to kick your ass.”

“Here you are, threatening your teammates. Is this how Portland handles things?” Rune said as he walked happily into the gym, Callum and Will on his tail.

“Are you asses just here to admire my beauty as I lift? Callum, I thought you were taken with my sister. How could you?”

“Fuck off,” Callum said before he looked over at Jacob. “Nice to see you again, Jacob.”

“You too. I thought I might head to the brewery tonight, since I know you dropped a new ale.”

“We’ll get you settled, don’t worry about that. I didn’t know you would be here.”

“I sort of just dropped in unannounced,” Jacob said as he blushed.

“And scared me to death,” I said with a laugh. “But seriously, what are you guys doing here?”

“I was working and was dragged here forcefully,” Will said with a grin.

“Oh, so you lament me on how I treat Jacob, and you’re kidnapping Will?” I said to Rune, who flipped me off.

“I didn’t realize you were working out now, because I wanted to kidnap you. Figured it’s time for a hike.”

“It’s summer. It’s hot,” I said, the complaining in my voice evident.

“Get over yourself. We’re going on a hike. That’ll be your workout.”