Page 89 of Falling for the Orc All-Star

“I’d like that. You haven’t had your sorry ass—”

“Excuse me, that’s ‘sorryknee,’” I correct, amazed that I can joke about it now, when it used to seem so...final.

“You haven’t been on the ice in two months, still haven’t officially been back for a game, and you’re still the favorite to go.”

“According to who?”

“The bookie at Jax Alley.”

“Don’t listen to that guy. What does he know?”

“I think he said his great uncle was a warlock or something. Or was it a locksmith? Anyway, he flunked out of MIT. He understands statistics.”

Two months ago, I had a ‘career-ending’ injury.

No, to me it was a life-ending injury.

Because I was just an All-Star, just a hockey player, but today, I’m...

“You okay?”

I skate back, nodding at Bryce. Coach needs us to focus and actually run plays.

I’m not running anything yet, just practicing being on the ice, hopefully preparing to play in a week or two.

So, I let my mind wander.

I’m not just a hockey player.

I’m Ingrid’s lover. Her future husband.

I’m Chip and Daisy’s dad, the one who comforts them the best during storms.

I’m Bryce and Kevin’s friend, and Ian and Farrah’s “nephew.”

That’s right, this little debacle pushed me closer to the Orcs that I’ve always stayed away from because I was “too different.” I wasn’t. I just didn’t realize I was waiting to learn how to value the same things, like a family and a mate.

The best picture book reader, according to Miss Bainbridge’s second-grade class.

The guy who Lester and Steve call to tell cute dog stories.

I’m a whole person again, after years of making sure I was just a shell. The outside of something is so much easier to keep “perfect” than dealing with the messy layers underneath...

“King! Do you think this play is funny?” Coach Torrey is glaring at me.

“No, sir.”

“You’re grinning like a lunatic.”

“I’m just so glad to be back, Coach.”

“That’s good, because you skate in with us tonight and every home game from now on. After the holiday break, you’re back to road games if your leg can take it.”

I just nod. Haven’t had a real game yet, not with people who’ll be actively trying to exploit my weakness.

Coach keeps talking, and I glaze over.

And I’m going to be Kevin’s daughter’s godfather.