Page 204 of Cross Check

There’s a ball of energy behind my ribs. It inflates, ballooning to the point of distraction and looping around my heart, tying tight.

It’s carefree.

It’s a crush.

It’s happiness.

It’s something so much more.

“Sounds like we have a fun summer ahead of us,” I say, and his eyes brighten.

“The chance at another Stanley Cup and doing it with you in the stands?” Grant grins. “How does it get better than that?”

SIXTY-TWO

GRANT

“This get together is tense.” Ethan pops a grape in his mouth. “I thought we were going to play video games and chill.”

“Coach is sleeping with my sister,” I say. “Video games can wait.”

“It’s been two weeks since you found out about their relationship, and you’ve barely said a word.” Hudson pats my shoulder. “Let’s talk about it so we can figure out a way for everyone to win.”

“Is it fair to be mad at someone for falling in love?” Riley leans against the kitchen counter and pushes his glasses up his nose. “When you stop playing hockey—or before that if you get traded—Saunders won’t be your coach. Would you be okay with Hannah dating him then?”

“Coach isn’t breaking any rules,” Maverick adds.

“You all are supposed to be on my side.” I groan. “What happened to bros over coaches?”

“Fuck Coach Saunders,” Ethan declares. “How is that, G?”

“Great,” I say. “Thanks for the support.”

“I already know I’m going to hate every boyfriend or girlfriend Murphy has,” Maverick says. “But at the end of the day, if they treat her right? If they make her happy and she’s smiling? What more could I want for a person I love?”

“Speaking as someone who has lost a loved one, you don’t want to hold on to that anger and resentment, Grant,” Hudson tells me. “You’ll regret it eventually, and what if it’s too late?”

They’re right.

I’m not going to play for the Stars forever, and when I leave the team, I’m not going to be able to live with myself if I cost Hannah her happiness.

The last two weeks have been hell. I feel shitty about the things I said, and I hate how it’s impacted my game play. We lost our first two games in the next round, and a lot of that might be my fault.

My mind is elsewhere. I’m wondering if I’ve damaged my relationship with Hannah for good. I’m afraid it might be too late to apologize, and I don’t know why I’m stubborn to reach out.

Whatever the reason, I’m tired.

I’m done with this rift, and I want to move on.

“Okay,” I say. “I’m going to make this right.”

“Can you believe Coach is going to be your brother-in-law?” Ethan grins. “If you start getting preferential treatment, I’m going to be pissed.”

“Say that again, and I’m throwing the pie Hudson brought in your face,” I warn.

“If you want me to kick Saunders’s ass for you, I will,” Liam says, and I scream.

“What the—when the hell did you get here?” I put a hand over my chest. “And when did you get so quiet? You’re a behemoth of a man, Sully. You’d think I’d know if you were around.”