Все главы Romance In The Hockey Pitch: Глава 61 - Глава 70

My legs felt like they didn't belong to me. Jax had his arm wrapped tight around my waist, basically carrying half my weight. I couldn't stop shaking. My breath was still coming in short gasps."Just a little further, Liam," Jax whispered. "We’re almost at the car. Just keep your feet moving."I didn't say anything. I couldn't. My mind was stuck on the image of my own hands punching into Carl. I looked down at them again, resting against Jax’s dark jacket. The blood was starting to dry, making my skin feel tight and crusty. It wasn't my blood. The thought made me want to throw up.*****When we reached the car, he asked for my keys. I gestured to my pocket. Jax opened the passenger door and helped me slide in. He went around to the driver's side, got in, and immediately turned the heater to full blast.He didn't start the engine right away. He just sat there, gripping the steering wheel so hard. I could hear him trying to steady his own breathing."I’m sorry," I managed to choke out.

The sun came up on Wednesday morning, but it didn't feel like a new day. It felt like the end of one. I sat in my first class, but I didn't hear a word the professor said. I just kept looking at my watch.9:00 AM.10:30 AM.1:00 PM.My stomach was in knots. I hadn't eaten anything since dawnI couldn't. Every time I thought about food, I felt like I was going to be sick.I went to the student union to try and hide. I found a corner table and put my head down. I just wanted to disappear. My hands were throbbing again. I had re-taped them this morning, making the tape even tighter. I needed them to stay stiff so I could hold my stick later; if I even got to play.My phone buzzed. It was a text from my dad.Dad: Just hit the road. Should be in town by 4:00. I’ll come straight to the rink to see you before the puck drops. Make us proud, Liam.I stared at the screen until the light turned off. 4:00 PM. My dad would be at the rink at 4:00. My meeting was at 4:30.If he went to the locker roo

The dorm room was dark when I got back. I just sat on the edge of my bed and listened to the sound of my own breathing. My father was out there right now. He was probably sitting in a dark office with the Dean, or maybe they were having a drink at a fancy hotel. He was using his money and his name to make my problem disappear. To most people, that sounded like a dream. To me, it felt like being buried alive.Every time my father fixed something for me, he owned a little bit more of my soul.********I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I didn't even have to look to know who it was. "Hello?""It’s done," my father said. He sounded calm. He sounded like a man who had just finished a successful business meeting. "The Dean and I had a very long talk last night. I reminded him of our family’s history with Northwood. I reminded him of the scholarship fund I started last year."I gripped the phone tighter. "And the hearing?""There is no hearing," he said. "The school has decided tha

Usually, before a game, I felt a heavy knot in my stomach. But tonight, I felt better. I looked around the locker room and saw Toby laughing with Miller. I saw Swiss focused, tapping his goalie pads with his stick.I looked at Jax. He was sitting right next to me, humming a song under his breath while he laced his skates. He caught me looking and gave me a quick wink. "Listen up!" Coach Mike yelled, clapping his hands together. "We’ve got a sold out crowd out there. They came to see a show, but I want them to see a team. No individual heroics tonight. We play for each other. One touch passes. Hard hits. Keep the energy high. Let’s go!"We piled out of the locker room and hit the ice. The cold air felt amazing. The game started with a bang. Within the first five minutes, Toby made a massive play. He intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, just like we had practiced. Instead of trying to score by himself, he looked up and saw me skating hard toward the net. He sent a crisp, perfect pa

"I am glad you came too. Come on," Jax said softly. "Let's go back before we actually freeze." The air was very cold now and it looked like it would rain. The walk back from the ice cream shop was slow."Do you ever think about what happens after Northwood?" Jax asked, kicking a small stone across the sidewalk. "I don't mean the draft. I mean, like, way after. When we’re old and our knees don't work anymore."I laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet street. "I haven't thought that far ahead. I usually just try to survive until next Tuesday. What about you?""I want a house with a big porch," Jax said, his eyes looking at the stars. "Somewhere quiet. Maybe near a lake so I can build a private rink for the winter. I want to coach kids; the ones who play because they love it, not because they’re being forced.""That sounds nice," I said softly. I looked at him. "I think I’d just like to travel. Go somewhere where nobody knows the real me?”"I think I’m going to buy a van," Jax said. "