Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“Don’t push it, Bright,” Madden mutters.
“We lost this game because of some of the dumbest shit I’ve heard in all my years,” Vander Zee states with ire. “This entire season has been a nightmare over a fucking sandwich and a t-shirt. Once Madden is healed up, the two of you will be doing ice sprints after every practice together for the rest of the season. You have both put this team under undue stress. You will be professionals and learn to work together or I will be taking a good hard look at this roster.”
The room drops ten degrees by the time he’s done. I don’t dare make eye contact with anyone outside the rest of the coaching staff.
“I think it goes without saying that this stays here, between the people in this room,” Vander Zee tacks on.
“And the sandwich and Grace’s shirt,” Bright adds, all fucking smiles and zero self-preservation.
“I threw it out,” Grace replies.
“Probably for the best,” I mumble.
Roman snickers.
This game has been a disaster.
CHAPTER 22
LEXI
The following day, after practice, I stop by Flip’s. I’m surprised that he lives in a regular condo unit. It’s nice, but he could afford a much more exclusive building. It explains how Dred ended up as his neighbor.
He opens the door, crutches tucked under his arms. He looks tired, and like last night wasn’t the best for him. “Hey, Coach. You here to check up on me?”
“Yup. And I brought you snacks.” I hold up a bag.
“You bring me KD? I’ll let you in if you brought KD.”
“Sure did.” I was told by Dred that his go-to favorite food is neon noodles, which he buys by the case. But when the extra-creamy variety is on sale, he’ll splurge, so that’s what I brought. And a few other things.
He moves aside. “I was kidding. I would have let you in anyway, but I appreciate the comfort food.”
Empty bowls sit in the sink, and a pile of mail litters the counter. The couch is set up like a bed, with a pillow at one end and blankets hanging off the other. A laptop sits on the coffee table. There’s a loft space with a huge TV, but instead of stairs, there’s a retractable ladder. That’s one hell of a design oversight.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“Like an idiot.” His cheeks flush. “You wanna sit? You want coffee? I can put on a pot.”
“I’m good. I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to see how you’re holding up and make sure you’re okay. I feel partly responsible because I put you on the ice together.” Although it needed to happen, and so did the airing of grievances.
“Our history isn’t your fault. Grace and I should have dealt with it at the beginning of the season, uh, if not before. It’s not like you didn’t try.” He unpacks the bag I brought and chuckles when he finds a two pack of white t-shirts and a box of tissues. “You got me the tissues with lotion, huh?”
I shrug. “I figured you could use a laugh.”
“Not sure how either of us will ever live this one down.” His face turns the customary shade of red I’ve grown accustomed to whenever Madden and Grace have been faced with their history.
“You may not, but at least it’s just your friends who know. Besides, I imagine your actions didn’t come out of nowhere.”
“What we did to each other…it was a storm brewing.” Flip looks to the ceiling. “He seemed like he had everything. Rich family who could afford all the best things, and he loved to rub that in my face. Always acted like he was hot shit who didn’t care about anyone but himself.” He runs a hand through his hair. “But we’re all covering for something, aren’t we? Hiding behind masks so people don’t see our weaknesses. He isn’t any different. I just think his mask comes with thorns, and they hurt him as much as other people.”
“Is that what you do? Hide behind a mask?”
He nods slowly. “The way we acted back then was juvenile, but we were kids.” He rubs his bottom lip. “And my actions after I made the pros weren’t much better. All the women…” He shakes his head and averts his gaze again. “I don’t have a problem with people doing what makes them feel good. It’s not my place to pass judgment. I wasn’t doing it just because I love sex though, and I pulled people into it who I shouldn’t have. I didn’t see it until I almost blew up my relationship with my sister and my best friend.”
I don’t know the details of his exploits, but I’ve seen enough of them on the gossip sites to have an idea. “You and Rix seem to have a good relationship now, and you and Tristan are tight.”