Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“Tell Preston I’m sorry,” Bex says. “I shouldn’t have involved him in all of this. This is my fault, and now he’s paying for it.”
“Wait… what?” My eyebrows rise in confusion. “What are you talking about? Why is this your fault?”
“He didn’t tell you?” She sounds surprised.
I cross my arms over my chest, wondering what Preston is keeping from me. “Tell me what?”
“Oh.” She bites her bottom lip. “I assumed he told you since you two are like brothers. What did he tell his parents about the fight?”
“That he reacted without thinking. Lehane and Preston have never gotten along. They’ve always gone after each other on the ice. But never like this. So, you’re saying you had something to do with the fight.”
“Yes,” she whispers. “I wish I could take it all back.”
“Bex, spit it out,” I growl, irritated with all the mystery surrounding the fight and Preston’s suspension. “What’s going on? Preston won’t talk to me, and now you’re being all cryptic.”
“Sorry.” Her eyes lower to the ground. “I don’t mean to be. Let Preston know I came by, would you? Ask him to call me… if he’s feeling up to it.”
“Sure.” I clutch the door, about to close it when I add, “Your dad probably told you already that Preston is suspended for the rest of the season. His college career is over. He’s upset right now. I don’t know what I’d do if it were me, but I know he’s not taking it well. He worked his ass off his entire life to get here, and now it might have been for nothing.”
Tears fall from her cheeks, and she wipes them away with the back of her hand. “I can’t even imagine what he’s going through.”
“He’s a hothead. He just needs time. Okay?”
She flashes a closed-mouth smile, tears wetting her face. “Thanks, Jamie.”
After I close the door, I head upstairs to talk to Preston. He owes me an explanation. All of us are suffering because of Bex. Now, I need to know why.
I knock on Preston’s bedroom door even though it’s cracked open. He doesn’t acknowledge me. So, I stroll into his room and plop down on the edge of his bed like it’s mine.
“Bex was here,” I tell him. “Again. When are you going to man up and talk to her?”
“I don’t want to deal with anyone.” He props himself up on the stack of pillows behind his head. “You’re lucky I’m talking to you.”
I shake my head at him, annoyed. “Prez, I know this feels like the end of the world, but your hand will heal, and when it does, you can still play hockey.”
“You don’t know if that’s true.” His face scrunches in anger, and his gaze travels over the hockey posters on his wall. “The doctor said anything could happen. We won’t know for sure until I heal if I’ll have the same range of motion in my hand. And what pro team will want someone suspended by the NCAA for assaulting another player? I have no fucking shot of ever making it pro now.”
“With your dad’s connections, I’m sure he can find you a team.”
He glares at me, flexing his jaw. “I don’t want to play for some farm league or in fucking Russia. This was the dream. You, me, the guys, and the NHL.”
“You’re too good to get passed over,” I admit because it’s the truth. “Something has to come from this.”
“You don’t know that,” he challenges, leaning forward. “Sorry. It’s not your fault. I’m so fucking mad I can’t even think straight. I keep replaying that night over and over in my head. I fucked up so bad that no number of apologies or money can fix what I did. I have to live with the decision I made for the rest of my life.”
“Bex said to tell you she’s sorry for getting you involved. What was she talking about?”
Pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers, he sighs. “It’s not my story to tell. Sorry. I can’t go into it.”
“You fought Lehane because of Bex?”
He nods, his face devoid of emotion.
“Give me something, bro. C’mon.”
“I wish I could.” His tone sounds sincere. “Bex doesn’t want anyone to know.”
“Maybe I can help,” I offer.
“No one can. What Lehane did to deserve that beating won’t change my suspension.”
“Are you done with Bex?” I press my palm to the mattress, shifting my weight. “She’s a good girl. You would be stupid to push her away.”
He snorts. “Like you did with Shannon.”
I let out an exaggerated sigh at the mention of her name. “Things with Shan are complicated.”
“So is my relationship with Bex.” His nostrils flare. “I need a break. From everything and everyone. I don’t want to talk about my suspension or my career. I want to be alone. She’s a reminder of what I lost. I don’t blame her, but I don’t want to see her right now. I need time to process.”