Page 39

CHAPTER 39

Charlie

We won four to one, which was a nice way to end the night after everything that happened. Thankfully, Troy and I didn’t have any other contact, and it felt like a weight lifted when the game was over. It’ll likely come back the next time we play them, but I’m glad it’s over for now.

I head back to the locker room and take a quick shower. As the guys pile in after me and undress, doing the same thing, I take note of the fact that I don’t feel as pent up about this situation as I normally would. Typically, I would constantly be watching my back and looking over my shoulder. I used to skip showers after games or use a washcloth to clean up just a little bit before going home and showering there. It was disgusting, but I was terrified.

I know I have Cami and Sophie and their endless encouragement to get closer to my teammates to thank for that. I take a deep breath, relishing in the way the air feels filling my lungs, and finish up before getting dressed. I put on a pair of navy blue track pants, a gray T-shirt, and a Rangers branded athletic jacket. Normally I would throw on a pair of plain sweats and go straight home, but they asked me to do a post game interview tonight. I used to hate press, but I’ve been trying to embrace it more recently. Tonight though, I just want to go check on Cami and make sure she’s okay. Not to mention, I know they’re going to ask about the situation with Troy.

I head out to the press box and stand in front of the blue backdrop, then wait for Lydia—our PR manager—to start allowing reporters to ask questions. A few minutes later, Adams takes his place at my side and I settle a little knowing he’s out here with me.

“Cade, can you tell me what happened out there tonight with Price? He seemed to really have it out for you.” I’m thankful this guy doesn’t seem to immediately be painting me in a bad light, I can use that to my advantage, but right before I am about to answer Lydia interjects.

“Let’s keep the questions to game play, everyone.”

“Actually, I don’t mind answering.” She looks over at me with wide eyes, probably hoping I would just shut my mouth. I don’t want to cause her any trouble, but I do want to stand up for my girl. But she isn’t yours, not really, my brain supplies. I decide to ignore that and proceed anyway. “Price and I have some history, old history, and usually it doesn’t get in the way of the game. Tonight, he decided to bring someone I care about into it and, well, you saw how that turned out.”

“But you didn’t do most of the fighting, Soren Wright did. How is he involved?”

“Soren is a good guy,” Adams says from my left. “And any of us would’ve stepped in had we been close enough to hear. No one messes with one of us, and Cami is one of us.”

I don’t bristle at him saying her name, everyone knows who she is because of social media. I do feel somewhat shocked by his claiming of her, though. I never really felt like I was claimed myself, so for them to welcome me as a part of their family and extend that to my girlfriend, well it’s not a feeling I’m familiar with. I thought I had that once with my teammates, but I was wholly and completely wrong. I fight the voice that tells me this is the same situation, I know it isn’t, and instead I smile at my teammate and reach over giving him a squeeze on his shoulder.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”

“Any time.”

After that, the questions move away from relationships and focus back on the game and our strategy. Adams takes those on for a little while and I chime in, trying to be every bit of the old version of me as possible. It’s getting easier and easier.

* * *

“Charlie!”

I hear her voice and immediately turn in her direction, like a moth to a flame. She’s waiting by the doors we usually come out of and has started walking towards me, while Alex and Alana hang back a bit. I didn’t expect her to wait, especially because I had to do post game stuff, but I’m happy she’s here.

As soon as I turn toward her, she takes off in the cutest little jog towards me. On instinct, I drop my bag and wrap my arms around her middle as she jumps into them. Her arms come up around me, and she buries her face in my neck. I life her up, squeezing her to me, and then set her feet gently back onto the group without letting go of her.

“I was so worried,” she whispers into my neck.

“I’m good, baby.”

“I know, but it didn’t look good. It looked really bad Charlie. What happened?”

“I’ll tell you, but not here, okay?”

She pulls back to look into my eyes, and she must be satisfied for now with whatever she finds there. She nods and leans in to press a chaste kiss to my lips. I deepen it just slightly before letting her go and turning towards my sister. She pulls me into a desperate hug and squeezes me three times.

“You scared me out there, you big jerk,” she says before she pulls away and shoves my shoulder hard.

“Hey, it wasn’t my fault. Everythings good, I promise.”

She just rolls her eyes. Alex steps up and clasps my hand in his before pulling me to him and slapping me on the back.

“Good game, man.”

“Thanks. You all didn’t have to stay.”

“Well, Cami wouldn’t leave and we weren’t going to leave her out here alone.”

I swear I see her cheeks flush before she looks down at the ground, but it’s dark so I could be imagining things. Soren and Mia come out behind us, he had to stay back a little longer because Coach wanted to talk with him about the fight. I told him I would go in with him, but he declined. He slaps me on the back as he walks up, and Mia goes to hug Cami.

“How’d it go?”

“Fine. I explained the situation. He understood.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that. Thanks.”

“Any time,” he looks me in the eye and I know he means it. “You doin’ okay, Cam?”

“I’m good. Thank you, Soren, for everything. I don’t know what was said out on the ice tonight but I know you were stepping in to defend someone and I’m grateful for that.”

“Like I said to Cade, any time. You both are family.”

Our eyes meet and she smiles at me as if to say, see how nice it is when you have people to look after you?

“Don’t think we’re planning on going out tonight, pretty exhausted,” Soren says.

“Yeah us either, I’m wiped. Are you ready?” I ask, looking over to Cami.

“Yep, let’s go home.”