Page 131 of Don't Fall for the Goalie
Before I can answer, Coach Decker blows his whistle sharply.
“Enough social hour. Move your asses.”
Everyone starts filing toward the ice.
I grab my mask and gloves before following them out.
But the second I step onto the ice, my eyes automatically lift toward the stands where Peyton sat with Harper and Allie the last time we were here.
I’m so distracted, I’m not paying any attention to what I should be.
“Guyer!” Coach Decker’s voice cracks across the rink.
I snap my attention forward. But it’s too late.
A puck rockets past my blocker and slams into the back of the net.
The entire rink goes quiet.
Coach stares at me from center ice. “You planning onplaying hockey today,” he yells, “or are you gonna spend the whole fucking season distracted by your girlfriend?”
The entire team erupts.
Embarrassment washes over me.
This never happens to me.
When I’m on the ice, I’m focused on hockey. Nothing else.
I square my shoulders. “I’m playing, Coach,” I yell back, determination in my voice.
Coach Decker points toward the crease with his whistle. “Then lock the fuck in, Guyer.”
“Yes, Coach.”
The guys are still laughing as they reset for the drill.
Connor skates past me, grinning like an asshole. “Love really is beautiful.”
“Shut up.”
Jake points his stick at me. “You used to glare at us for breathing too loudly. Now you’re daydreaming on the ice.”
“I wasn’t daydreaming.”
“You were staring into the stands like a man waiting for his wife to return from war,” Cole says.
“I hate all of you.”
“Get your head in the game, Guyer,” Ford calls. He nods at me, the look on his face saying he understands what I’m going through. At least, as far as being distracted by a woman is concerned.
I skate backward into the crease, resetting my stance while Coach blows the whistle again.
Focus.
That’s all I need to do.
Focus.
