Page 57 of So This Is War
A way to release my frustration.
The crowd erupts, and whistles are blown as I spin out of his grasp just enough to cock my arm back and clock him in the head, sending him down to the ice. I free my gloves, ready to take this further, when I’m grabbed from behind by one of my teammates, stopping me from getting out the rest of my aggression and pent-up irritation.
I’m sent straight to the penalty box with a five-minute penalty, leaving the team short-handed, but thankfully, Vladmir is serving as well because he started the fight.
“Think you needed that therapy session,” Eli says as he skates past.
Yeah, maybe, but at least I got one good punch in before it was broken up.
Of course the fans love it. They erupt around me, calling out my name and cheering for me. Sometimes I wonder if they’re fans of my hockey skills or my right hook. I think some more for my right hook. Regardless, it was fucking satisfying.
I glance over at Vladmir, who spits out a chunk of blood.Maybe stop slashing me with your stick, and I won’t slam you into the boards next time, you fuck.
I lean back and let out a deep breath. That’s when I catch Coach Wood out of the corner of my eye. His arms are crossed, and he’s staring me down.
Can’t tell if he’s pleased with what I did or angry.
Either way, I’m probably going to hear about it.
I pushmy hand through my hair as I move toward the apartment elevator and push the up button.
We suffered a loss tonight. Not because of my penalty, but because we couldn’t pull together any goals. It was a zero-one game. We were all off, and of course Coach Wood let us hear it while throwing a chair across the locker room.
If anyone needs a therapy session, I think it’s that dude.Talk about blue balls. He needs to get laid.No one talked to each other. Halsey was pissed at himself for not scoring at least one goal. Silas was off as well with his passes, making it harder for Halsey to score. And OC seemed to be somewhere else. It was the first time we didn’t work together. And that’s bound to happen. You can’t be perfect every game, but you can sure as hell learn from it.
My phone dings with a text as the elevator door opens, and I press the button for my floor.
Eli:Want to have that therapy session now?
This guy. Christ. He’s been more involved in my life in the past few days than ever before. He has a lady and a baby. He needs to focus on them, not me.
Levi:Seriously, I’m good, dude.
Eli:You sure? Because it seems like all this pent-up aggression you had tonight could be directed toward the new change in your life. Perhaps the hot redhead who’s working for you?
Levi:If you think I’m angry because I can’t fuck her, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Eli:I didn’t say it. You did.
Clever fuck.
Levi:Just some built-up aggression. Nothing you need to worry about.
Eli:I do need to worry about it. You’re my second half out there on the ice. We’ll be off if your head isn’t in the right spot. Lawes worked his ass off tonight, blocking shots left and right. We have to do a better job.
Levi:I know. But I promise, it was just an off day. It will be better next game. We’ll get the dub.
Eli:Okay, but promise you’ll talk to me if you need to.
Levi:Promise.
Yeah, I don’t mean that. No chance in hell am I going to bring this up to the guys. Nope. They give the worst advice. I’ve lived through it. They’re lucky they had me to get them through their girl problems. Nope, I can solve this on my own.
I unlock my door and move into my apartment, flipping on the light only to find Wylie sitting at the island, waiting for me.
“Jesus Christ,” I say, hand to heart. “Fuck, what are you doing here sitting in the dark?”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you. I was working on your placemat stain and then got tired and started doing social media. It turned dark, and before I realized it, you arrived home. I hope you don’t mind that I was in here. I know you said it’s not a hang-out space. But I needed the room and counter for the stain.”
