Page 81 of Stand Your Ground

Maven reached for me wordlessly, wrapping her arms around me like she could shield me from the sharp pieces of myself my mother always managed to shatter.

But she couldn’t protect me.

The only ones who evercouldchose not to.

And so, even in the arms of my best friend, I only heard my mother’s words ringing true.

I was alone.

Extra Credit

Carter

Nothing felt better than walking out of the locker room after a win at home.

Nothing… except the fact that Livia would be waiting for me in the friends and family room.

I usually skipped that room when I left the stadium. It was where I’d wave goodbye to Vince or Will or whoever else as they veered left to greet their loved ones, and I headed right to the parking lot.

But tonight, Livia had been in the suite with Maven. And now, she was in that friends and family room.

And okay, so she wasn’t really waitingfor me. Technically, she was just there with her best friend. But it didn’t change the fact that I’d played my ass off in an attempt to impress her, or that I’d looked up in the seats for her after every goal, or that I was practically skipping down the hallway on my way to find her now.

I’d been playing it cool all week. I’d text her, but not too much. I’d reply to her texts, but not too quickly. I checked in on how her days were going without hovering or acting like a boyfriend.

Because I was not her boyfriend — and she would be quick to remind me that if I ever forgot.

But it’d been torture, being away from her after what we’d shared on Friday night. And now, I’d just wrapped up our last game before we had a long break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. It was the league’s new stand-in for what used to be the All-Star games, and though I hoped to play in the tournament one day for Team Canada, I was happy I wasn’t invited this year.

Because I could think of many better ways to spend the next two weeks, and every single one of them involved Livia Young.

“Fabri.”

The call of my name came from behind just as I was about to swing into the room, and I found Coach still dressed in his game suit with a grin on his face.

“Hell of a game tonight,” he said, clapping his hand hard on my shoulder. “I saw something in you I’ve never seen before. You had grit. Stamina. Determination. You played like it was a playoff game. You left everything on the ice.” He paused, assessing me. “I knew you had it in you, and I’m glad I got to witness me being right about that.”

My throat was tight when I answered, “Thanks, Coach.”

He nodded, squeezing my shoulder before he released it. “Enjoy your break, but don’t lose this fire you’ve found. Yeah?”

I returned his nod, stomach flipping a bit at just how I’d keep that fire alive. Because I knew it had nothing to do with therapy or practice.

It was Liv who’d lit that flame.

“Hey,” I said when Coach turned toward the parking lot. “What are you doing for break? Going to see family?”

The corner of his lips twitched, but the smile didn’t spread. “Nah, just hanging around the Bay, I imagine. Rest a little. Probably still work most days.”

“You need a break, too, Coach.”

He shrugged. “Hockey is my life, Fabio.”

“Might be time to try dating.”

He full-on laughed at that, saluting me with two fingers before he left me without much of an acknowledgement to my statement.

I frowned, watching him go for a moment, and then Vince was sliding into me.