Page 56 of Trick Play

It was for him, and for the freshmen that were struggling.

I finished my warm-up routine, then waved as I headed into the locker room. It was starting to fill up as guys arrived to skate. I spotted the younger guys, clumped together in the corner, and made my way over.

“Hey.”

They turned and froze when they saw me.

“Hi,” one of them said, evidently the speaker of the group.

“You know we’re playing VU tonight?”

They all nodded like it was synchronized.

“Well, one of my high school buddies is on the team. Our first year playing each other was really weird. We were friends and had grown up being teammates for over ten years. We’d never played against each other, then suddenly we were opponents. It really got in my head, and I struggled through that game even though we were only on the ice at the same time for less than three minutes. It felt so different. I was so used to having him next to me on the bench and rooting for each other. The change was so abrupt, and I sort of panicked. I messed up every play and was nearly benched because I was so in my head.”

Two of them shared a look, probably wondering how I lost my mind and why I was rambling to them.

“Anyway, I know this is late and I should have talked to you guys sooner, but I want each of you to know that I get it. We all do. This is a huge change. The arenas are bigger. The crowds are louder. All the comforts you’re used to are gone. Playing with us is new, and I haven’t done a good job of making you feel welcome. For that, I’m truly sorry. I’ve got stuff going on, and I haven’t been living up to my role as an alternate captain.” I met each of their gazes. “I want you to know we’ve all been where you guys are. If you have any questions or want to talk, we’re here for you. Between us seniors and the juniors, one of us is bound to have gone through anything you’re facing and we’re here to help.”

I paused, waiting for one of them to say something. Anything. But I was met with silence, so I nodded once and backed away.

That was it. That was the best I could do for now. I opened the door, and it was up to them to step inside.

Now, I needed to take my own advice and trust the people around me for help.

Chapter 19

Kennedy

I stared up at my building, not wanting to go back and face real life. It was nice spending time with my brother, and after the first ten minutes, he didn’t bring up Ethan again.

“Are you going home for Thanksgiving?” I asked as a way to delay saying goodbye.

He shook his head. “The firm is only closing for the day. I’ve got to be back in the office on Friday, so it doesn’t make sense to fly to and from Minneapolis in a day.”

We had Wednesday through Sunday off, but I didn't want to go home if he wasn’t. “Do you think Mom and Dad will let me use the same excuse?”

He gasped and put his hand over his heart. “And miss dinner at the country club?”

I rolled my eyes. “Exactly.”

My parents didn’t even bother with a home-cooked meal for the family. It was another excuse to get together with their friends. The men grouped together to discuss business or how to make more money while the women planned their outfits for upcoming charity events or discussed who had plastic surgery done most recently.

“I’m sure they’ll miss you, but they probably won’t mind.”

“Or notice.”

He chuckled. “They aren’t that bad.”

After what Ethan told me about his parents, I had to agree.

“You’re right.” They weren’t the type to bake cookies or go out and throw a ball with you, but they also made sure to be there for all the important things. They raised us to be independent which allowed them to also have their own lives. Neither of them wore the title of mother and father as their identity. It wasn’t bad or wrong, just different from what other kids were used to.

“If you stay here, what are you going to do?” he asked.

“If I can convince Lo to stay, maybe we can treat ourselves to something in the city or make our own little dinner and spend the weekend shopping.”

“Sounds fun.” He checked his watch, and I stopped procrastinating.