Page 60 of Pucking Forbidden

Julian: You awake?

My phone buzzes almost instantly.

Cruz: Always. What's up, man?

I exhale a breath I didn't know I was holding, leaning my elbows on my knees.

Julian: Just thinking. How’s the ice? Any updates on you getting back out there?

A few moments pass before the text bubbles appear.

Cruz: It’s coming along. Still a lot of bureaucratic shit getting ironed out with the medical clearance, but the doc says the knee is holding up. I’ll keep you posted when things are official.

Cruz: Might have to stay a lot closer to home for the rehab and the initial contract stuff. Logistics are a bitch.

I stare at the words, a wave of understanding washing over me.

Julian: I get it. Do what you gotta do. Keep your head down and handle it.

Cruz: Always. You good?

I look back toward the bedroom, then out at the cold morning air, thinking of Hadley’s text.

Julian: Just trying to figure out my next move.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: SKATING LESSONS

JULIAN

Later, after practice, Jensen skates up beside me, spraying a light dusting of shaved ice against the boards as he brings his massive frame to a halt. He’s already shedding his gear, his jersey hung loosely around his neck like a scarf, exposing his soaked gray t-shirt. He runs a thick hand through his sweat-damp brown hair, scratching at his closely trimmed beard, his sharp green eyes bright with the remnants of his adrenaline from practice.

“Hey,” Jensen says, leaning his broad shoulder heavily against the glass. “You coming over later?”

“To Carson’s?” I ask, unbuckling my chin strap and pulling my helmet off.

“Yeah,” Jensen nods. “His turn for guys night. He’s got a demo copy of Skyler’s newest game for us to try out.”

“Her last one was so fucking cool,” Zander declares, coming up to my other side and sounding giddy. “This latest one is like zombie superheroes and shit!”

“Yeah, you can tell us all about the obscure comic it’s based on later,” Jensen laughs. As we make our way into the locker room, all around us, the post-practice chaos is in full swing.

I move to sit on the wooden bench in front of my locker, wrestling out of my heavy chest protector. Stripped down to my compression shirt, I can’t help but feel a sudden, sharp prickle of self-consciousness. Compared to the lean, unbroken bodies of the guys around me, I feel bulky, scarred, and heavily aware of the stiff ache in my hip.

My eyes flicker across the room to where Theo is peeling off his wet socks. He leans back, catching my eye with a lazy, knowing tilt of his head. The memory of him with Hadley yesterday flares in my mind, and I grit my teeth before looking away.

Jensen spots Owen, who’s already at his locker, and asks, “You coming tonight?”

“Not until later,” Owen shakes his head. “I’ve gotta pick up Millie from skating after her class ends. Then I’ll pop over.”

I perk up at that. “Mind if I come with?” I ask.

Owen looks at me with a frown.

“Uh…why?” he asks.

I shrug. “It’s Hadley’s first day. I want to celebrate with her.”

There’s a moment of silence as Owen and Jensen look at me with varying degrees of shocked expressions.