Page 101

“Sit your ass on the bench.”
Heat prickles at the back of my neck, spreading over my scalp. I bury my face in my hands, gasping for air and battling the acid rising in my throat. The trainer rushes over, dropping to a knee beside me and rifling through her medical supplies.
“Did you take a little blue pill, or five, last night?” Ethan asks as the trainer packs ice on the back of my neck.
I lift my head enough to shoot him a glare. “You wish. Interesting that you know the color. Something you wanna share, Coach?”
The trainer stifles a chuckle. Ethan huffs, shakes his head, and clenches his jaw.
I sip water as the ice cools my overheated skin.
Not wanting to worry Aurora, I resist peering over at her. She can read me like her favorite book. She’ll know something is wrong.
My gaze drifts toward the suites above. I can’t see him, but Kyle’s watching. He’ll be furious I’m not playing. His box is full of politicians and otherinfluentialfigures. It’s where he pretends to be a proud father while making shady deals.
Ricky and I discussed the prospect of him being at this game, which is why Aurora sits in the family section behind the bench instead of the suite. I highly doubt Kyle is foolish enough to try anything at the arena, given public appearance is his top priority, but I wasn’t taking the risk.
Shaky again, I signal for the trainer. “Can I get something for nausea?”
Her eyes dart to Ethan. “It’s against protocol, sorry.”
“Since when?”
With her hands on her knees, she leans in. “Since Coach fired the entire training staff. No meds unless you break a leg or crack your skull out there, his exact words.”
Fuck. I guess I’m sitting out.
Thankfully, we’re winning, because my focus is subpar. I couldn’t tell you a single stat to save my position. Not only is this queasiness kicking my ass, but I’m dreading what comes next.
Soon enough, Aurora will leave to visit her grandmother before flying to New York.
The thought has me giving in and scanning the rows of team jerseys, searching for one face. I’m terrified she’ll be gone, and I’ll be left empty, alone, and struggling to get out of bed.
Then, there she is, her vibrant smile easing the ache in my chest. She’s chatting away with Ricky, but as soon as she catches me watching, she stops and locks eyes with me.
“Love you,” she mouths across the sea of people, and everything disappears—my racing thoughts, the crowd, the game, all blissfully silent.
My breath stutters, and my heart skips a beat, and it has nothing to do with this meltdown I’m having.
She flashes me a sheepish smile, and I playfully narrow my eyes.
Really? She tells me she loves me during a game? Before she leaves?
She chuckles and blows a kiss my way. I make a heart with my fingers, placing them on my chest, and mouth the words back to her.
A powerful strike to my helmet shatters the moment. “I don’t pay you to flirt. Pay attention.”
I eagerly watch the minutes tick away on the jumbotron. I’m going to get fined for what I’m about to do. Ethan will have me shooting goals until I can’t see straight and skating laps until my ankles break. But I don’t give a fuck. He’ll understand one day, I guarantee it.
When the final whistle blows, the cheer of victory doesn’t even register. I throw off my helmet, the icy air rushing against my sweat-slicked hair, and toss my gloves.
I grab my stick—a player never leaves his twig—and bolt for the tunnel, my eyes on Aurora.
She stands to leave, and my world shakes.
My confidence wavers. I can’t do this. I can’t be without her.
Ricky pushes through the crowd, Aurora gripping his arm.