Chapter 6: The keeper

-MATT-

I´m entering the locker room after today's practice when Hank catches me. “Yo, Gruber, Coach wants to talk to you”.

I frowned and asked him, “Do you know what it's about?”

I can't help worrying. It has been only two months since I was traded here to the Rangers. I've been playing consistently well enough to secure my place as the team's main goalie. But after the s.hit storm that happened last season in Vancouver, no matter what I do, the black cloud always seems to be above my head.

Goddamn Anderson. The center player of my old team. The f.ucker was sleeping with my ex-girlfriend after we broke up. I knew it, but that doesn't make it right. He was supposed to score, but he wasn't able to pass the defensemen, and he lost it when Dallas started scoring.

I accept that part of the responsibility for the defeat was mine, but the whole team was unbalanced. And as if that wasn't enough, the idiot had to come and provoke a fight in the parking lot. I'm not the type to lose my temper, but the wound caused by Anna was still fresh. We were supposed to be taking a break, and she chose to move on to the guy that she knew I hated the most, just a week after the break-up.

Hank took out his jersey and answered my question. “No, I have no idea. Don't kill the messenger”. He left my side and made a beeline for his locker.

I removed my heavy gear and went to take a shower. I'm trying my best to avoid that shower back in the apartment. Not only is it inside Sienna's room, but it is also full of her stuff. The place smells like lemon grass, and her, like she is still inside the place, even if she is not.

And the idea of having her there sounds better than it should.

I finished my shower quickly, put on sweatpants and a t-shirt, and, after knocking coach´s office door, found him behind his desk, checking a bunch of papers.

Coach is a middle-aged guy with salt and pepper hair in a receding hairline. He used to play professional hockey when he was younger, but got injured and stopped. He has been in this position for a while, and in the short period that I played here in New York, I came to respect him. He works with our strengths and helps us overcome our difficulties, always focusing on the team as a whole.

“Did you want to see me?” I approached his desk cautiously.

He lifted his head and gazed at me. “Yes, take a seat.”

I pushed the brown leather chair to sit, and he started to talk. “You've been fending of a lot of shots, but you need to improve the rebounds. We'll work on that more from now on. I'll talk to Wolf and Trivino as well.” He was right. I need to work better with the defenders, but it will take time for me to adjust to the way they play. It is hard for me to trust new people that fast.

He lowered his eyes again to the papers on his desk. “The team's lawyers told me that you have regularized your visa situation and that they have now applied for your green card. That is great. We'll have our first game of the season in two weeks, and I want to keep you as the main goalie. As you know, Miller has been injured for some time, and I want you to take into consideration staying with us permanently.”

“You know Coach, that I am planning to stay only for this season. I'm here to do my best, help bring the Rangers to the playoffs, and go back home to my old team”. That was always the idea. I urgently needed to clean up my image after breaking Anderson´s nose last season. Even with our publicists' efforts to cover up the assault, the media still got wind of it. The last thing I wanted was to leave Vancouver. My life is there, my friends, my family... I accepted the trade also to clear my mind and come back with my head held high. And hockey is my passion. I had to make a choice and leave behind for a while all the things and the people that mattered the most to me. Even if that killed me inside.

Coach clears his throat. “I'm aware. But you don't have to decide right now. Keep in mind my offer, think carefully, and we will keep in touch during the season. If you change your mind, come talk to me.”

“Okay, thanks for the offer”. I got up from the chair and moved towards the door when coach mentioned something.

“Gruber, before I forget, congratulations on the wedding.” That took me aback for a moment. I thanked him and leave his office quickly.

I'm trying to avoid thinking about my marriage. I'm trying really hard to avoid thinking about my gorgeous wife. I´m trying to avoid thinking about how perfectly her slender hands fit on mine when we exchanged rings. Or how bright her unusual and beautiful reddish-gold eyes shine. Or how soft her pouty lips with the little cupid's bow look. I have avoided thinking about a lot of stuff lately. And if I concentrate really hard, I almost believe that I am succeeding.

The moment I saw her in that café, it was as if I'd been punched in the stomach. When Hank mentioned that a friend of his girlfriend could help me with my green card, he forgot to mention how hot she was. Probably because the guy only has eyes for his girlfriend.

Sienna is for sure the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She looked incredibly hot in the green dress, contrasting with her pale skin. And I knew right away I was in deep trouble. Because no matter how attracted I am to her, I don't want to get involved with anyone. I want to help my team block the puck for a whole year and get back to where I belong. Even if that means avoiding Sienna at all costs.

And that is a promise I will keep.