Page 11

James

___________

T he words that Marie uttered to me before peeling out of the driveway circle through my mind.

I did think it was strange that Alex is suddenly allergic to latex and needed all these tests done, and when I went to the doctor’s office, they told me that an Alexandra Miller had not had an appointment at all that day.

But why would she lie? There’s no reason to.

She’s always been genuine and honest with me. I don’t see why that would stop now, especially since she has plenty of her own money.

I step up onto the bus and sit down next to Logan before we head off to the airport for a long week of away games. Once we get rolling I pull out my phone and send out the text messages to all of the girls.

Caroline replies immediately, letting me know that she’s at school and she’ll text me later, while Alyssa leaves me on ‘read’… shocker. That’s all she’s been doing since they left the house. She hasn’t said a word to me in person or over the phone. Not even one text message.

Alex probably won’t reply due to the time change while she’s out in LA with her mother for meetings… and then there’s Marie.

Fucking hell, she’s probably never going to speak to me again.

Why didn’t I just tell her about Alex? Probably because I never thought the relationship would ever amount to anything.

I still did my thing, puck bunnies, dates, and sleeping with whomever gave me a seductive look after a game or out at a bar.

That’s been my life since I stepped foot onto the college campus and busted my ass out on the ice.

Then when Alex showed back up and told me she’s interested in going out on that date I practically begged her for all those months ago, I just dove right in. Head… or cock first. Mostly my cock.

We slept together a handful of times last Christmas. Thinking back, I know we used condoms without any issues.

Damn it, Marie, now she’s making me overthink this shit. But I trust Alex, maybe it’s one of those late allergies that she didn’t know about until later. I still haven’t fucked her yet, she swears she went to the doctor and got some sort of implant… Is it too invasive to ask to see it?

I can hear Marie in the back of my mind, screaming ‘abort mission, abort mission’ at me, but obviously my dick isn’t listening. Nor is my addled brain. I turn thirty in a few years, I thought it was time to settle down.

I pull up my emails and smirk when I finally have the approval in hand…

As soon as we touch down on Friday morning back in Minnesota, I’m going in to get a vasectomy.

There, two birds, all the stones. I can sleep with Alex without any mistakes happening in a few months, and I can finally be free to not worry about children – ever. I should have done this years ago.

I glance over to Logan and show him the email and he holds out his fist for me to bump. “That’s awesome, man. Want me to drive you to the appointment and back home?”

I nod and pull out my water bottle, squirting it into my mouth before swallowing.

“Sure. Coach gave me the weekend off, so I’ll be alone, icing my balls.

” We both chuckle and I glance out the window.

We’re already almost to the private airport.

“Alex will be home next Monday… I just need to come up with a reason why we need to use latex-free condoms for a few months.”

He sends me a look and rolls his eyes. I told him about the shit storm I’m in and he hasn’t really given any advice yet. “Why not just tell her the truth? Bianca would kick my ass if I hid anything like that from her… Even before we were engaged.”

I shrug and fiddle with my phone, spinning it around my long fingers. “I don’t want anyone to know. I already have enough drama going on in my life, I don’t want another fight.”

He nods and claps his hand over my shoulder. “Still nothing from Marie?”

I shake my head and sigh as we park in the lot.

I stand up, grabbing my bags before heading to the stairs.

“Nothing. She finally talked to me yesterday when she stopped by for the girls to grab more of their shit. I guess they’re officially moving in with her and I have no idea where the place even is.

Is it big enough? Safe? Are they comfortable?

Do they need anything? It all just keeps circling around in my mind that I’m making so many mistakes, one after the other.

You and Bianca went through hell and back…

with the team, Daniel, her management company…

How did you get through all of that shit and still come out on top? ”

Nolan and Landon join us as we head over to the jet. Logan shrugs. “I just knew Bianca was the one. Marie will come around, man. We miss having her around. Maybe one of us can try to sweet talk her into getting her address?”

I grunt and find my favorite seat towards the back.

I toss my bags down at my feet and strap in.

“Maybe. Dr. Patterson is screening my calls, Patti just laughs at me before hanging up. I can’t get anyone to talk to me about her…

I don’t have Annika’s number, but maybe Coach Williams can do me a solid somehow. I just want to make sure they’re okay.”

Landon chuckles, sitting down across from me. “We always thought you and Marie would get together at some point… I guess I lost that bet. You get your first serious girlfriend and fuck up your relationship not only with her, but with your sisters, too. Good job, man.”

Nolan rolls his eyes and stays silent, fidgeting in his seat beside Landon. He’s always had a thing for Marie, but after ‘dating’ for a few months, they decided to just be friends. At least I think that’s what happened.

I didn’t know the guys thought we would end up together, they’ve never made that comment before. At least not in front of me.

I never thought too hard about it, especially not after moving across the country. If shit went south, where would she have gone? How would I have kept the girls? It was always in our best interest to keep shit platonic. Not that we ever talked about it.

I bite on my bottom lip and glance out the window. Fuck, I really have fucked everything up.

They’ll come around… the girls will see how amazing Alex is. Marie will get over it and we will be best friends again.

I miss her.

______________

The week goes by fast. We lost our game against the Sea Lions in California, but beat the Lions in Canada, 3-0. I’m coming home with some new scrapes and bruises, but that’s nothing I can’t handle…

We land and Nolan takes me straight to my vasectomy appointment. Logan decided to go see his woman instead of dragging my pansy ass to get snipped. We had plenty of talks over the last few days… there was a lot that the team didn’t know about him and Bianca.

I guess shit got so bad that even her family stopped talking to her once news broke about their ‘affair’.

Since she’s a sports agent, her firm basically manages the entire team…

There were a shit ton of rumors that they were using each other.

Sponsorships, endorsements, and even Daniel were against them being in a relationship, when she wasn’t even his agent.

Eventually shit calmed down. She still has her job, Logan is still on the team, and her family finally came around. And now they’re engaged and getting married in a few months. He told me if it’s meant to work out, it will.

Nolan leaves me to head back alone, while he waits in the waiting room and looks up some stuff we’re going to pick up at the store after I’m done. Thank fuck he came and I didn’t just take a taxi here on my own. I don’t even know what I need to do.

“Mr. Carter… I’m Dr. Xavier Marx. I have all of your medical files from Dr. Patterson’s office, finally. How are you feeling today?” He points to the exam table and begins taking my vitals once I get comfortable.

“Peachy… How long will I be out of the game for?”

He chuckles and pulls out his tablet to take some notes.

“Just three days of downtime, usually. You’ll be fine by Monday.

I just need you to sign these forms, and make sure you come back for your first appointment in two weeks.

We will be checking your sperm count until they hit zero, usually around the three to six month mark. ”

I nod and settle back as I read through all of the forms and waivers, initialing and signing as I go. Use protection, don’t have sex for a few weeks. What to do when you’re in pain and the signs and symptoms of infections.

“All right. I’ll be right back. Go ahead and undress from the waist down and place this blanket over you. I’ll numb you up and you’ll be out of here within twenty minutes.” He shakes my hand and takes the paperwork from my fist before he steps out.

Here we go. Three to six more months of no sex. Hopefully less. I’m not taking any chances.

My hands shake as I remove my slacks, shoes and socks, and lastly, my boxers.

My balls… fuck, I’m terrified. Will I still finish like normal? Will it still feel good? Maybe I should have done more research before booking this.

Sweat starts dripping from my temples and my hands are so clammy.

Twenty minutes later, I’m hobbling out of the room with an ice pack shoved into my boxer briefs. I lean against the counter as I make my next appointment with the receptionist before I whine and limp my way over to Nolan.

“Hey man, how’s it feel to be neutered?” He guffaws as he stands and moves to clap my back but holds himself back.

I snort as I limp out to his truck and groan as I sit down. “Feels like I’ve been kicked in the balls repeatedly. Just take me home… I have plenty of whiskey and ibuprofen, plus some ice packs in the freezer ready to go. He said I wouldn’t need much more than that.”

He shrugs as he backs out of the space and we head towards my house. “You sure you don’t want me to stay the weekend with you? I can be your little bitch boy for a few days.”