Page 43 of Replay (Toronto Blaze #3)

A Place for You in Hockey

Katie

I’d messaged Josh all day long, keeping him posted on what happened while he told me what was going on at his end. I was going to the hospital to see him, but first there was something I needed to do.

He’d stood up to his mother, and now I needed to let my parents know what was happening.

I let out a breath and called.

“Katie! How was your exam? We’re looking forward to seeing you next week.”

“Is Dad there?”

Her voice was wary. “I can get him.”

“Please do.”

Once Dad was on the phone, I started with the good stuff. “My exams went well. I didn’t tell you I’d been having a problem with my advisor. I just spoke to the chair of the department today, and I’ll have someone new next semester.”

“Oh Katie, that’s terrible. Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I didn’t want you to worry.”

“We worry anyway. We want to know what’s going on with you. Not just the good stuff.”

“I know, I should have told you. There was a lot at stake. When I finally reached out to the chair, I was afraid I might be shooting my academic future in the foot. And that would upset you.”

Two gasps. “Are you sure you should have done that? What if he found out?”

“There’s a process for dealing with this. I didn’t think I’d get through the program with my old advisor anyway, so I reached out to the chair with my concerns, and it paid off.”

They didn’t respond to that right away. My parents weren’t big on risks.

“There’s something else. I’m dating Josh.”

I heard the indrawn breaths again. Then a long pause. “That doesn’t seem like a good idea. What with everything you have going on with school?—”

“I need to stop you right there. What I decide to do now, with my life, is my choice.”

“We just?—”

I broke in. “Josh is my choice. And despite what you’re afraid of, when I considered dropping out of school, Josh urged me not to give up on my dreams. He supported me, said it was my decision, but encouraged me to keep going.”

“Oh. Um, well, that’s good.” Dad’s tone suggested it was also surprising, but there was more to drop on them.

“You may have heard he was injured. His mother flew out and found me in his room. She banned me, so Josh told her I was going to be part of his life, and she needed to deal with that.”

Mom snorted. “She’s too tied up with her son’s life. She needs to let him live for himself.”

Did they hear the irony there? Probably not. “We’re not sure if she’ll come around or not. I’m willing to try with her, but I’m not sure she’ll do the same. Which means I’m staying in Toronto over the holidays to help Josh when they send him home from the hospital.”

“What? We’ve been planning on this. You have your tickets.”

“I know, and I didn’t decide this lightly. But Josh is important to me, and he needs me. Right now, when we’ve just got everything worked out between us, we need that time together.”

“Do you think he’s going to forget you over the holidays? What does that tell you?” Mom was reaching for any argument.

They really didn’t think Josh was like that, did they? The only time he’d hurt me was at their instigation. “That’s not what I said. I didn’t call to discuss this with you, but to inform you. I’m not changing my mind.”

“So, that’s it? We don’t get to see you?”

I held back a sigh. “I’ll come during reading week in February instead, when Josh will be able to get around on his own better. I really am sorry to miss Christmas, but even if Josh wasn’t in the picture, I don’t think I’ll be settling in Halifax. We’ll have to come up with new traditions.”

That didn’t go over well. I didn’t waver. I wasn’t leaving Josh alone or letting his mother poison his mind. My parents had to learn to respect my choices, just like Mrs. Middleton had to do with her son’s.

Things were still tense when I ended the call, but I felt good. I wasn’t staying in school for my parents, or because it was easy. It was my dream, and I was pursuing it.

Now I had to get to my boyfriend, to support him while his dream was in jeopardy.

* * *

Josh

I met someone from physio in the morning. There were exercises I could start right away, but everyone was cautioning me to take it slowly. They could tell how much I wanted to get back. I needed to know if I could play again, and having to wait was frustrating.

I believed them when they said I’d walk again. But no one knew if I’d be able to skate. And if I could, if I could skate the same. I had months of rehab ahead, and not till then would I know if I still had my dream, my job.

If it wasn’t for Katie, I’d be going out of my mind. And it was difficult enough with her. We’d been messaging since she’d left yesterday. She was in an exam now, so I had nothing to do but flip through my phone and try to find a distraction.

I heard footsteps again, and expected someone was coming by to check that I was alive and had blood pressure. But it was Coach.

I shoved myself a little straighter against the back of the bed, wincing as I disturbed my knee. “Hey, Coach.”

He paused in the doorway, examining the room.

Fortunately, the scary duck was now hidden among flowers and fruit baskets and other shit people had sent. It was touching, that people I didn’t even know cared, but would they even remember me in another year if I wasn’t playing again?

“Bet you can’t wait to get out of here.”

“Absolutely. They’ll soon let me go if I have someone around to help me.”

His eyebrows lowered. “You room with Fitch, right? He has to travel with the team.”

“Yeah, but my girlfriend will stay with me for a couple of weeks.”

“She reliable?”

“Absolutely. She’s writing her last exam today, so she’s free till the next semester starts.” Her parents were going to be pissed, but I needed her. And I’d prefer her assistance to Mom’s, if Mom was even willing to help now.

“She’s a student?”

“U of T. Master’s in math.” My voice was proud, because I was proud of her. Proud that she was mine.

His mouth quirked up. “A smart one.”

“Yep.”

He crossed to the foot of the bed, staring down at where they kept the chart. Was he going to read it? Was he allowed to? Did he know what that stuff meant?

“We’re going to miss you, Middleton.”

I swallowed. I hated to leave my team in the lurch. “Sorry, sir. I got a little carried away that last game.”

He snorted. “That’s hockey. Sometimes people get hurt.” He wandered to the chair and finally sat. “You’re going to be out a while.”

I nodded.

“Thanks to the holidays, we can’t do anything about a trade till later. The guys have been playing hard. I hope we can keep on till they can get us some help.”

Help meant trading for someone to play on the top line, since I couldn’t now.

“Hockey’s a business, so yeah, you’re going to be replaced. Doesn’t mean there won’t be a spot for you when you return.”

That was a nice thought, but… “If I return.”

“You’ll be back.”

How was he so sure?

“You’re young, you’re motivated, and you’re talented.”

I swallowed. “But what if my knee isn’t as good? What if I lose my speed?” The size I was, I needed that speed to play with the bigger guys.

“You might. You will at some point, for sure. Everyone slows down as they get older.”

Not much help. “But my game is based on being fast.”

“It is now.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Here.” He tossed it onto the bed.

“What’s that?”

“Those are players who relied on speed when they started. They learned to adapt their game as they lost some of that quickness. You’ve got a good eye for how the game flows on the ice. You watch these guys, how their games changed, and see what you can work into your own play.”

I blinked quickly. “Thanks.” I cleared my throat, since my voice was a little tight. “Thanks, I’ll do that. I’ve got lots of time.”

He nodded. “The scouts all talked about your hockey smarts when you were drafted. But with that idea you had for the Minnesota game, you’ve got smarts for the bigger picture too. There’s gonna be a place for you in hockey, even when you’re not on the ice.”

Something inside me lifted, like a weight was removed. “You sure about that?”

“You’ll have to work hard at it. Maybe that girl of yours can help you study.

If you want to retire and leave it all behind when you’re not playing anymore, then it doesn’t matter.

But I think you’ve got something. Don’t waste it.

” He pushed himself up out of the chair.

“Now I need to convince management that this team can go somewhere this season. Watch the games, and if you get any more bright ideas, I want to hear them.”

I stared after him as he left, pinching myself to see if this was real. I held on to that paper he gave me like it was gold.

The months till I could play again were no longer so empty. I’d watch the fuck out of the games and videos of the players he’d recommended. I could even start thinking about a future beyond playing.

Hockey and Katie. I was the luckiest guy—my knee twinged—well, a lucky guy anyway.

* * *

I woke up from a nap to find my mom sitting in the chair this time.

I rubbed a hand over my face. “Hey, Mom.”

“How are you feeling?”

I hit the control to bring the bed up. “Not bad.”

“Would you like a drink?”

I nodded and rearranged my pillows while she stood up and poured some water in a cup.

“You have a lot of fans.” She indicated all the offerings in the room as she waited for me to drink.

“It’s nice. I’ve sent some of the flowers to other patients, and the stuffed animals will go to the kids.” Except for that horrific duck. Didn’t want to give anyone nightmares.

She straightened. “Where’s Katie?” Her voice was level, like she was trying not to let her feelings out.

“Her last exam was this morning, and she had a meeting. Then she had to call her family, tell them she wasn’t coming home for the holidays.”

Mom blinked. “She’s not?”

“She’s staying to help me. I didn’t know what you were doing, and I need her right now.”

She started fussing with the sheets at the foot of the bed. “So, you don’t need me.”

She was trying not to sound hurt, even though she was. But she didn’t need to hate on Katie because she thought I’d forget about her. “Mom, I will always need you. But Katie is important to me as well. She’s promised she’ll try to get along with you, since, you know I love you both.”

She straightened. “I still have my opinion. I can’t just turn it off.”

This week had been a roller coaster, and here I was, heading down again. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but I’m not changing my mind about her.”

“I will give it a chance though. I’m sure she and I will disagree, but I can at least be polite. You’re all I’ve got, and I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t, Mom. Come here.” I held out my arms and she leaned into my hug.

She wasn’t perfect, but she was my mom. She’d done so much for me. I wished she liked Katie better, but if they could try to get along, maybe it would all work out.

“Hello?”

Mom pulled back, and I smiled big as I saw my girl in the doorway. “Hey!”

“Good afternoon, Katie.”

“Good to see you, Mrs. Middleton.” I shot her a glance, but she didn’t look like she was being sarcastic.

“Since you’re here now, I’ll step out for dinner. And it seems I have some additional Christmas shopping to do, if you’re spending it with us.”

Katie’s eyes went round. “Oh, fu—dge. I need to do that too.”

Mom picked up her coat and purse. “I can sit with him for a while tomorrow if you need time.”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

“I’ll be back after dinner, Josh.”

“See you then, Mom.”

I held open my arms again, needing to feel Katie close. She settled on the side of the bed, leaning into me, her hair under my chin. I let out a contented breath. Despite the hospital and the knee and all the other things I couldn’t control, I was happy. Incredibly happy.

“You seem pretty upbeat, all things considered,” she said.

“I think Mom’s coming around. You messaged everything went well with the advisor stuff. And Coach came by, said some things that gave me some good ideas for the future.”

She sat back, smiling at me. “I told you. You have a lot to offer.”

It was great to have someone who believed in me, for the times when I didn’t. “How was the call with your parents?”

She didn’t tense up, so that was good. “They’re disappointed I won’t be home, but I promised them reading week.”

“I’m going to miss you.”

“Then you’ll know how I’ll feel when you’re traveling to those away games.”

Yes. When I rehabbed my knee and got back on the ice. I believed it would happen now. “You’re going to call me lots. And I’ll call you. We can do this, if we talk to each other, right?”

“Okay. But that’s not our biggest worry right now.”

I frowned. Had I missed something? “What?”

She dropped against my shoulder again. “What the hell am I going to get your mother for Christmas?”