Page 19

Chapter 19

JAMIE

I watch from the lobby windows as Louis gives Rylan a fierce, protective hug. It makes my chest ache.

Our awkward bro-hug was all Rylan could handle. That was all he was able to risk in public. I understand it, but that doesn't stop me from wanting more.

The Uber pulls away, and when he turns to walk back inside, hisusuallyplayful expression is deadly serious.

"So,"he says, coming to stand beside me."You and Rylan."

It's not a question. I keep my eyes on the street outside."Is that... obvious?"

"To me? Yeah."His broad shoulders are tense as he pins me with his dark-eyed glare."Look, Pirelli–"

"Jamie."

"Jamie."His voice softens a bit."I've known Rylan Collings since we were kids. He's been through more shit than you or I can even imagine. And because of it, I've watched him build walls so high he can't see over them anymore."

I swallow hard."I know."

"Do you? Because if this is just a hookup for you--"

"It's not."The words come out sharper than intended. I lower my voice."It's not just anything."

Louis studies me for a long moment. "Okay," he says finally. "Good."

We stand in silence, watching morning traffic crawl past.

"At the meeting this morning,"Louis sayseventually."Austin's gonna be suspicious as hell about why you helped him last night when he wouldusuallycall me."

Right. There will be questions."What should I say?"

"Tell them you were awake when Rylan got the call from home, and like any good roommate, you pitched in to help in an emergency."He pauses."And Jamie?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful with him."His voice is gentle but firm."He's... not good at letting people in."

"I noticed."

"But he's letting you."Louis gives me a look that holds more than twenty years of friendship with Rylan."Do not make him regret it."

The weight of what he's not saying, what heclearlyknows about Rylan but isn't putting into words, sits heavy between us.

"I won't," I promise.

Louis nods once, and then his usual mischievous grin returns."Come on, lover boy. Let's go face the inquisition."

"Fuck off,"I mutter, but there's no heat in it.

My phone buzzes. Rylan: Made it to theairport. Thanks for... everything.

Three dots appear, disappear, and appear again. Then: I'll call tonight

Something warm unfurls in my chest."Yeah,"I whisper, too soft for Louis to hear."You've got this, Ry."

The pre-game meeting feels wrong without Rylan's precise routine setting the tone. Noperfectlyarranged notebook. Nometiculouslysharpened pencils. No...

Stop. Focus.

Austin's watching me from across the conference table as Coach Shaw reviews game footage."Where's Collings?"

Coach Shaw had opened the meeting by announcing Rylan had to leave due to an unexpected family emergency and that he'd be back in a few days, but he didn't provide any details.

"It's his dad,"Louis answers before I can, his voice pitched low so I'm the only one who can hear him besides Austin."He'll be back in a few days. Ended up taking a fall and spent the night in hospital."

"Shit," Austin murmurs. "Was Roger...?"

"Yeah. He was."Lou answers Austin's unspoken question.

Lou and Austin are Rylan's closest friends, and they both know Ry's dad's situation but I'm not sure if anyone else on the team does. I'm not going to be the one to tell people.

Charlie leans forward, concern clear on his face."Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's okay, Ry had to go take care of a few things for his dad up north. Just like Coach said."Lou smiles to take the edge off his words, but Charlie gets the message not to pry.

But nothing about this whole shit-tastic situation is okay. Rylan's dad being in the hospital and the responsibility for all of his care falling on Rylan's shoulders alone isn't fair or okay at all.

"He's handling it,"I say, proud of how steady my voice sounds.

Austin's still staring."You were with him earlier this morning."

It's notexactlyan accusation, but there's something dangerous in his tone.

Louis"accidentally"knocks over his water bottle. The loud clatter makes everyone jump and draws Coach's attention."Sorry, sorry,"he says with his usual grin. Then, quieter:"They're roommates, Cote. Cool it on the attack-dog shit, alright?"

I meet Austin's gaze."He got the call from back home late last night. I was just trying to help where I could."

It's the truth, but the weight of what I really want to say sits heavy in my chest.

My phone buzzes. Rylan Boarding soon. Try not to let Cote murder my newest linemate while I'm gone.

Something warm blooms in my chest.

"Okay."Coach's voice cuts through my thoughts. "With Collings out for the next few days, we're moving Pirelli to Center, Reesie will be taking right wing and Cote will stay on left. We're keeping d-pairings the same: Santucci and Darbyshire will start.

Louis catches my eye across the table and mouths"Breathe."It's like he can sense how much I'm struggling under the weight of all this.

I've got you , I'd told Rylan last night. Now I have to prove it by holding everything together here while he handles things with his dad.

I can do this. For him.

Coach drones on about neutral zone coverage, but all I can focus on is the empty chair beside me. Rylan's chair. Where he should be making those tiny precise notes in the margins, directing subtle looks at Louis whenever Coach says somethingparticularly–

My phone vibrates. It's the airline confirming Rylan's check-in.

"Expecting something important?" Austin growls.

I lock my screen."Family stuff."

"Pirelli."Coach's voice cuts through my thoughts."You seeing something interesting in that power play footage?"

Shit. What were we supposed to be watching?

Louis jumps insmoothly,"I have a question about their power play cycling..."

I owe him. Again.

My phone buzzes. Rylan: Made it through security. Thanks for packing my ID in an easy-to-find spot. I might have forgotten it.

A smile tugs at my mouth. Because there's no way in hell Rylan Collings would have forgotten his ID. Not a chance.

"Focus up, boys."Coach clicks to the next slide.

Another text. Rylan: Try not to let Austin overthink the C stuff tonight.

Even while in crisis mode, he's still the team captain, working to lead us from afar.

"This morning's skate is optional,"Coach continues."But I want everyone's head in the game tonight. Minneapolis isn't going to go down easy just because we're missing our captain. Any questions?"He asks as finishes.

Several guys glance at the empty chair beside me, but no one asks for more details. They trust their captain, and they know if Rylan left on a game day, it must be important.

Trust I still need to earn.

"Alright, boys.Have somefood, and get some rest. Check your schedules for bus times and meals. I'll see you all later."

As everyone files out, Louis catches my arm."Coffee?"

"Can't."My phone buzzes again."I need to—"

"Yeah."His smile is knowing."Tell him we've got this covered."

I nod, my throat tight.

Austin pauses in the doorway, looking between Lou and me with narrowed eyes. But whatever he sees in my face must satisfy him, because he nods once before leaving.

My phone lights up. Rylan: Boarding now.

Three dots appear, disappear, and appear again.

Thanks for having my back.

"Yeah,"I whisper, too soft for anyone to hear."Always."