Page 17 of Roughing
Braden sat back, took a long pull on his beer, and considered my answer. “Well, at least you’re trying.”
Another shrug. I hunkered down over my beer and gripped the glass in both hands.
“You’re staring at that glass as if the beer might part and reveal the answers to the universe.”
I grunted. This guy was getting under my skin. I wanted to be left alone, not sit here and trade meaningless bullshit, not that I was doing any trading.
“None of us asked to be on this team, but we’re here. This season has been brutal so far. We’ll probably be the first team eliminated from earning a playoff spot.”
“We pretty much are.”
“Feels like it. Briggs, you’re not the only one struggling. No one enjoys losing. Every guy on this team is dealing with similar shit.”
“And what shit are you dealing with?” My defensive partner was usually upbeat and even-tempered off the ice and known to be nasty on the ice. I appreciated being paired with him. We complemented each other well. I didn’t have to babysit him as I had Grady. Braden knew what to do and when to do it.
“You wouldn’t understand,” said Braden.
I thought about his statement and made a guess.
“I know what it’s like to lose a sibling. Only mine will never come back.” I didn’t know if it was the alcohol speaking, not that I’d had more than a beer, or my inability to suppress certain memories any longer. I instantly regretted opening my mouth. I never talked about my sister to anyone.
Braden blinked a few times and stared at me. “You lost a sibling?”
“It has to be tough not playing with your brother after all those years.” I ignored his question.
“It’s tougher than I’d ever imagined. Banks and I were tight. Not only did we play hockey together, but we were also each other’s best friends. It’s hard to lose that.”
“I know.” I did know, though I’d lost my sister long before she drew her last breath.
“I expected us to stay in touch regularly, but as the days go on, we grow further and further apart. He’s on a winning team, a contender, and I’m stuck on a basement dweller with three more years on my contract.”
“Sucks.” I considered his predicament, realizing I wasn’t the only guy with problems. Only mine went beyond being on a crappy team to not being on a team at all.
Braden appeared to be considering something, and I feared I knew exactly what it was. I braced myself and hoped he wouldn’t pry.
“Good beer,” I said to deflect his attention.
“You said you lost a sibling? Did that happen two years ago by chance?”
“Yeah.” I tensed, not wanting to talk about my greatest pain and biggest regret.
“I see.” Braden did see. He was putting two and two together and figuring out my loss had something to do with my attitude change.
Uncomfortable silence followed, and neither of us knew how to fill it. I was out of practice when it came to the art of conversation, and I didn’t have an interest in making Braden my new best friend, either.
Braden directed his attention to one of the many TVs in the bar. “Looks like LA lost.”
“Yeah.” I relaxed a little, grateful Braden wasn’t going to push for answers tonight. He seemed to understand I wasn’t interested in talking about my sister, and I’d told him more than anyone knew.
“Vegas will take over the top spot in the Pacific,” Braden noted.
“Still a lot of hockey left to play.”
I was certain both of us were wishing we were on a winning team.
ChapterSix
NEED A RIDE
