Page 27 of In My Hockey Era (Must Love Hockey #1)
BENCH PRESSING MY FEELINGS
Bennett
T he weight bar hovers just above my chest, muscles burning as I push through the last rep. The clang of metal fills the gym as I rack it, exhaling hard.
“Damn, dude.” Chase shakes his head from the bench next to mine, wiping the sweat off his forehead. “You trying to bench press your feelings or what?”
Hunter snorts from the squat rack. “Nah, he’s trying to impress his girl.”
I sit up, rolling my shoulders. “She’s not my girl.”
Chase gives me a look, one eyebrow raised as he takes a long sip from his water bottle. “You sure about that?”
I grab my own bottle and take a slow drink, letting the question settle.
Am I sure?
Lucy and I haven’t exactly defined anything, but after Nashville, after the way she kissed me outside that bar, after the way I can’t not text her every damn day?
Yeah. I’m not so sure at all.
“She’s different,” I admit finally, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “I don’t know… I just like her. And I don’t mean just the way she looks, though that’s—” I exhale sharply. “I mean, damn.”
Hunter chuckles as he adjusts the plates on his bar. “We get it. She’s hot. But you’re actually talking about her like you care.”
I don’t answer right away, just glance down at the floor, flexing my hands.
Because I do care.
Maybe more than I should.
Chase nudges my foot with his. “Never seen you like this before, man.”
Hunter nods. “Yeah. We’ve seen you chase before—no offense.”
Chase flips him off.
Hunter grins. “But this feels different. You’re not just messing around.”
I lean back against the bench, drumming my fingers against my knee. “Yeah,” I say, almost to myself. “It is different.”
Hunter studies me for a beat before dropping his towel over his shoulder. “Then try not to mess it up, Wilder.”
Chase smirks. “Yeah, because if you do? Lucy’s best friend is terrifying . She’ll hunt you down.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Noted.”
But inside, I know the truth.
If I screw this up, it won’t be Mia I have to answer to.
It’ll be me.
Chase moves beside me, adjusting his stance for a deadlift when my phone buzzes on the bench.
I glance at the screen. Natalie.
“Hold up,” I tell Chase, setting the weights down. He grunts in response, already mid-lift.
I swipe to answer. “Hey, Nat.”
“Finally,” she sighs. “Took you long enough.”
I wipe the sweat off my forehead with my shirt. “Some of us have to work for a living.”
“You play hockey for a living.”
“Exactly. Hard work.”
She snorts, but there’s something tense in the way she exhales. I recognize it instantly.
“What’s up?” I ask, sitting on the bench, resting my elbows on my knees.
“Divorce stuff,” she says, and yeah, that tracks. “I met with my lawyer again, and they’re pushing for me to take the settlement, but I feel like I’m getting screwed.”
I rub my jaw. “Then don’t settle.”
“It’s not that simple, Ben.”
“Sure, it is,” I say, leaning back. “You know what you deserve. You put in just as much—hell, more—into that marriage. You shouldn’t walk away with less than what’s fair.”
She’s quiet for a second. “You really think I should fight it?”
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I do. And whatever you need, I got you. Lawyer fees, moral support, someone to talk shit about Kyle with—I’m your guy.”
That finally gets a small laugh out of her. “Thanks, Benny.”
“Anytime.”
There’s a pause, and then her voice shifts, lighter but a little smug. “So… what’s new with you? Are you dating anyone?”
I roll my eyes. “You really don’t follow my social media, do you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly. “Never mind. Yes, I’m seeing someone. Her name’s Lucy.”
Chase, still lifting beside me, smirks at the mention of her name. I ignore him.
Natalie, on the other hand, makes a surprised noise. “Wait, really ? Bennett Wilder dating dating someone? Not just a ‘hanging out’ situation?”
I shake my head, grinning. “Yeah, really .”
She hums, then goes quiet for a second before saying, “Have you told her about Holly yet?”
My stomach tightens.
“Not yet.”
“Ben,” she says, sharper now. “You need to be honest. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”
I exhale slowly. “I know. I will. I swear.”
“You better,” she warns, but there’s warmth under it. “She seems like a good one.”
“She is,” I say quietly, eyes on the floor.
And I know I can’t keep putting this off.