Page 61 of Risking the Pucking Defense

Spirits are high, and everyone is excited for the clean slate of a new season ahead of us. We came so close last year but missed out on the Cup right at the last moment. But as disappointing as it was, we also have to celebrate just how much we achieved. I know some of the others have come close with previous teams, but we got further than any other Vipers team has in years. That’s a huge achievement, and if we finish second again this year, then I for one will be fucking ecstatic. It’s a huge feat. Sure, it’s not the W, but fuck, it’s still so incredible. Little Hayden, who used to force his sister to sit and watch hockey week after week, whether it be on TV or at my practices, could never have believed I’d have gotten here. It’s a dream come true. I just wish she could have seen more. Having her watch me lift that Cup…fuck, it⁠—

Emotion claws its way up my throat, and I have no choice but to shove Rett out of the booth so I can escape.

“Monroe?” he questions, but I don’t stop. Instead, I race toward the door. The second I’m outside, I slow down and take a breath.

“Fuck,” I breathe, taking off down the street toward where I know there’s a small park.

I don’t look back to see if anyone is following me. I just keep going, each step harder than the last.

I stumble into the park and collapse on a bench, my head falling into my hands as grief consumes me.

All day I’ve fought it, but I’m only so strong. I guess this was inevitable.

My shoulders shake, tears spilling free as I stop fighting and just let go.

I don’t know how much time passes; it could be seconds or minutes as I sit there drowning, but at some point, warmth hits both of my sides and arms are thrown around my shoulders.

“We got you, man,” a familiar voice says, before another adds, “Feel everything you need to feel. We’ll hold you up.”

Their support only makes me cry harder.

They sit there silently, flanking me as I completely fall apart. And much like when I did the same with Hailee, I feel safe.

“I’m okay,” I finally force out, sitting up a little and wiping my face with the back of my hands.

“We know,” Killer says confidently. “We never thought you weren’t.”

“Today was a lot, huh?” Rett mutters.

“I thought getting back to it, having the distraction would be good. But I just kept waiting for someone to ask me about her, about it all, and…fuck. I don’t think I realized how much pressure it was putting on me.”

“Did anyone ask?”

I shake my head. “Hailee made sure they didn’t.”

“If you’ve got her on your side, then you’re golden. She won’t let anyone hurt you, and should they be stupid and go against her, well, I’m not sure I want to know what would happen next. That woman is scary as fuck,” Killer states, making me laugh.

I get it. There’s a side of Hailee that’s fucking terrifying. But there's also that other side that she’s allowed me to see just a hint of that is at complete odds with that persona.

“Yeah. She’s good people.”

“The fucking best,” Rett agrees, turning both mine and Killer’s attention to him. “What? It’s true. Don’t fucking tell her I said that, though.”

“You got it, man,” I agree before slumping back on the bench and letting out a heavy sigh.

“What do you want to do now?” Killer asks.

“I…” Fuck, I really want to sweet-talk my way into Hailee’s apartment and find out if she’ll let me in again. But, as much as I want to do that, I’m not sure I’d cope with the rejection if she sent me away. “Um…”

“Wanna come back to ours and play CoD with Bea?” Rett offers.

“Holy shit, are you finally admitting that she’s better than you?” Killer balks.

“No,” Rett starts firmly. “I just know that Monroe prefers playing with her. Their tactics align better.”

“Oh yeah, that’s why.” Killer laughs.

“Yeah, as long as she doesn’t mind us crashing her quiet night in.”