Page 171 of Scarred

“Look who’s smiling before drills?” Foxx says, when I enter the locker room.

“He got laid this morning, obviously,” Hayes grins, putting on his shoulder pads.

“Jealous?” I smirk, heading toward my locker.

“Of morning sex? With someone who looks like Luna? Hell yes, I’m jealous,” he laughs. “Maybe not the whole dating part thing you’ve got going on, but definitely the sex in the morning part thing.”

“Never wanted to date either,” Stone chuckles. “Now I’m married with a child. Just wait, Hayes, you’ll get knocked off your ass one day by a woman, and it will be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” he snorts.

“Blade?” Coach Goldman comes out of his office looking surprised to see me.

“Yeah, Coach?”

He motions me over, and I walk his way.

“I didn’t expect to see you here today, but I’m really glad you decided to show up this year,” he smiles. “I’ll tell the goaltending coach you’re here for practice so he can get ready.”

“Why wouldn’t I be here?” I ask, completely confused about why he thinks that.

He stares at me for a heartbeat before adjusting his ballcap.

“It’s the seventeenth,” he says quietly before peering at me. “You sure you’re okay to stay today?”

The Seventeenth…

My stomach drops.

No…

No.

The seventeenth.

Two weeks after Scarlett’s birthday.

The date hits me like a ton of bricks as I grip the doorway for support. I barely hear Coach ask me again if I’m okay, but all I see and hear are images flashing through my head from the past two weeks.

Every laugh.

Every kiss.

Every morning waking up to Luna…

I’ve been so damn happy…

I didn’t remember.

I didn’t.

Fucking.

Remember.

My knuckles turn white before prying them off the doorframe and walking over to my locker. I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder, my jaw so tight it hurts.

“Blade…” Stone begins to say something, and I cut him off.