Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Thanks, Dr. D. I’ll let you deal with management over your decision.”
“Wow, Voyjik. You’re so generous,” he deadpans.
“Aren’t I? Everyone is lucky to have me in their life.”
“Everyone or just Lane?”
My amusement dies. “I’m guessing word has gotten out, then.”
“Oh yeah. Big-time. Everyone has heard about how Lane has been asked not to come back to work. Permanently.”
But … “Lane quit.”
“Officially, but everyone knows he’s already gone. What, he didn’t have to give notice?”
I try not to get angry. Management is doing what it can to save face. Still, when I head for the locker room to let the guys know I haven’t been cleared and tell them to kick ass, it’s obvious how far the chatter has spread.
All talk dies as I walk into the locker room.
My neck burns, and I pull at the collar of my San Jose T-shirt. I’m used to being the topic of discussion. I used to welcome it and crave it because I’ve always had that need for attention—good or bad. But this … I’ve finally found my boundaries.
And Lane is it. He means too much to me to play us down, and if I get into it here and now, I’m going to say some shit that will definitely get me fired.
Instead of addressing the elephant in the room, I make my way over to Aleks because out of everyone, he might be the only one who understands.
But when his first words out of his mouth are “You couldn’t help yourself, could you?” I can’t tell if he’s pissed or resigned to the fact I’m that much of a screwup.
The normal defenses of “It wasn’t my fault” or a half-hearted “Oops” don’t pass my lips.
“Yeah, we both know we fucked up, but it also wasn’t supposed to get as far as it did.” I glance around the locker room, and the others are doing that thing where they’re pretending they’re not listening but probably are.
“Now we’re stuck with Keerson, who doesn’t know hockey from his ass. It’s like he gets joy from sending the worst player of the game to the press conferences when they’re at their lowest. Like he feels we need to explain ourselves for why we individually did so terribly to the media. At least Lane cared about us and the team equally.”
I screw up my nose. “Yeah, I saw that interview of yours. Brutal, man.”
“Please tell me you’re coming back today?”
Okay then. If he is angry about the Lane situation, at least he’s not too angry.
I shake my head. “Nah. Doc says it’s too risky.”
“Fuck,” he snaps. “This team needs new talent. One guy being put on the IR list shouldn’t affect the scores this much.”
“Aww. It’s cute you think it’s all me, but even I’m not that conceited. It’s not my absence that is making the team suck. It’s a losing streak. All teams have them. Look at Vegas this season.”
Aleks winces.
“Exactly. They’re not even in with a shot of the playoffs. But we still are. The team only needs to win the next game, and our season isn’t done.”
“Sure. I’ll get right on that. As well as the game after that, and the one after that …”
I grip his shoulder. “I should get out of here before all the questions start. Have a good practice.”
“Really?” Aleks asks. “That’s all you’re going to give me? I have been so restrained here. I need details. Preferably all the dirty ones. But, like, big-picture stuff too.”
I laugh.
“Let’s just say Lane and I are in a relationship that neither of us saw coming, and not everyone is happy about it.” I lower my voice. “Mick told him to end it or lose his job. So Lane quit.”
Aleks looks shocked. “Well, shit. That’s …”
I wait for him to say something like that’s the stupidest thing Lane’s ever done, and I’d have to agree with him because the idea of a future with me still seems so out of the realm of possibilities. I’m not convinced I won’t fuck things up between us. But we chose each other, and I want to see it through to the end. Whatever that end may be.
In a dumpster fire of broken hearts? Possibly.
With matching rings and tuxes and spouting I love yous in front of everyone we know? Not likely.
Happiness? This is the one I’m rooting for. The one I want to strive for.
Even if I’m scared as all hell of screwing it all up.
“That’s what?” I ask Aleks. “Dumb? I know.”
“I was going to say it’s romantic, so no wonder I’m divorced.”
“Those things kind of contradict themselves.”
“Nah, I was thinking about Rebecca and how she hated that I was away so much. Giving it all up didn’t even occur to me to be an option.”
“The right person wouldn’t want you to give up your job for them.”