Page 188 of Lose You Twice

“Well, you know we’ve been having some issues with Ryder, and it turns out last night was the breaking point for Coach Stevens. Ryder is suspended, pending further review.”

I’m glad I’m not holding my mug, because Colton Ryder plays center, just like I do. And with him out, there’s a very good chance that a spot will open up for me on the roster. Earlier than planned. A lot earlier.

“It’s not a done deal yet. I still need to talk to Coach and see where his mind is at, but I just wanted to give you a heads up. I know you guys are heading into postseason, and I know you wanted a run at the Frozen Four, but this is a huge opportunity, Kai. Start thinking about it, and I’ll call you as soon as I know something more concrete.”

We talk for a few more seconds before ending the call, leaving me staring at my kitchen cabinet.

Grayson walks into the kitchen then, coming to a stop next to me before waving a hand in front of my face. He squints. “You good?”

I nod my head, still not able to form words.

“You sure?” he asks, taking in my expression. “You don’t look great.”

“Dane just called,” I finally muster. “Ryder’s suspended.”

Grayson’s eyebrows jump, knowing what that possibly means for me. “Oh shit.”

I look at my best friend. “Oh shit is right.”

We win two road games, tying off the regular season and putting us in a great place going into the tournament.

If we keep playing the way we have been, we should have our conference in the bag. But if I leave, I don’t know what will happen.

I haven’t heard more from Dane over the last three days, and normally, that would be a good thing. But right now, it’s allowing more and more unknowns to spin on a loop in my mind, which is anything but good.

Will my team hate me if I leave?

Will Wren be okay if I leave early?

Am I ready to play at the next level?

So many questions, so few answers.

For now, I choose to focus on what I can control, and for tonight, that means hitting Oakley’s with the guys and my girl.

Wren is sitting on my lap, an arm wrapped around my shoulders, laughing at Weston’s dramatic retelling of this morning’s events at the hockey house.

“No, you don’t understand, she literally wouldn’t leave. I didn’t even know her name!” he says, waving around as if that’s going to make any of this make any more sense. “I don’t know who brought her home, but someone needs to lay down the rules. You bring a girl home, she stays in your room. She doesn’t just go wandering into someone else’s bed!”

Asher smiles slightly. “Wasn’t me.”

“We all know that.” Weston rolls his eyes. “But really, walking into my own room with nothing but a towel on and finding a woman waiting was not on my bingo card at seven in the fucking morning.”

“Figured you wouldn’t mind that, though,” Grayson says from his seat next to Harlow. “You know, being the ladies’ man you are and all that.”

Harlow coughs, trying to hide her laugh, and I can feel Wren shaking with her own laughter.

“Ha, ha, ha.” Weston pouts, throwing a peanut at Grayson. “Very funny. Ladies love me, but I do not love surprises. At all.”

Halfway through our drinks, a girl with glossy dark hair and a backpack over one shoulder appears near the table. She’s wearing a fitted jacket and sneakers, her cheeks flushed.

“Hey, Asher,” she says.

Asher looks up, and the stoic expression he wears most often lifts. He gives the girl a small grin.

Interesting.

“Ava,” he says.