There's No Teaching The Hockey Star

Chapter 4 - Jayden

Moving in my bed, I am met with pain. Everywhere. My head... drinking last night seemed like a good idea. Only now as the alarm sounds am I reminded that it may well not have been. Drinking at home on your own was only ever a sad option, right? And as I shifted to switch off the incessant sound of the alarm, I was swiftly reminded of the pain within my shoulder and whimpered in pain... s**t. My life is fucked...

The events of the night before flooded through my mind, and I am only reminded of my pain. Pain that the alcohol may have numbed for a short while, or at least enough to send me to sleep. But in that alcohol-filled haze, I had not switched my alarm off, and now I was awake in preparation for training.

My head thumped, and reality quickly set in. Bella was gone. We were done. I stared at the ceiling, wondering why I had stayed as long as I did. Bella and I had not worked for a long time. Yet neither one of us seemed able to leave. Not that she seemed to mind straying. That familiar anger at the thought of that flooded my body. But I think I was beyond getting upset about it anymore. I had stayed because I thought that was what love was. We had been together so long. My first love. Was I a fool? Maybe...

I thought she loved me for me. Not the hockey star I was. I mean, she had known me long before any of this had become a thing, after all. I have seen many a teammate be used because of who they were, and now as I look back I can help but wonder if Bella was any better than those gold diggers. If, somewhere, along the line, something had changed...

I can’t help but allow my mind to wonder how she may have been when she learned my career had been on the line. That the lifestyle she had come to adore was at risk. Would she have been the one to walk away then anyway? I punched the bed in anger. I needed to get back to training. Get back on the ice. I was not about to let this end my career.

I stood from the bed, and walked toward the shower.

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Walking through the team entrance, after what had been somewhat of an awkward silence in the cab ride over to the arena, I could not help but feel empty. I usually loved arriving at the rink. But the arena had me thinking of the night before. Too many memories. So, instead, I thought of the drive over. The way I had silenced the driver in the first minute of our journey; once he mentioned who I was and, of course, my injury. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the negative thoughts. Today needed to be positive. I needed to get back on the ice. I walked with purpose. I was not about to be sent away.

I stepped into the locker room, only to see most of the players were already out and on the ice. Only one of our rookies, Tate, remained. He turned to look at me, at the sound of my footsteps. Catching my eye, he grinned at me. “You meant to be here?” He asked with a hint of amusement. He had clearly heard the news. Likely most of the team had. Bad news spread fast, no doubt.

“Are you?” I raised my brow, daring him to question me. His brows furrowed, and I smirked. I was being an ass and I knew I was. But I could see I had got into the head of the youngster.

“You think I’m not ready?” He asked, as I moved to my space. I tossed a look of despair over my shoulder. I did not have time for him to need reassurance. Hell, my own mind needed enough reassurance of its own right now, without needing to reassure anyone else.

I began to change, wincing at every movement of my shoulder. Tate spoke up, suddenly standing a lot closer than he had been moments before. Had the guy never heard of personal space? “If you’re in that much pain, shouldn’t you be resting?” He asked, and I turned to him with a fiery stare.

“Are you not just a rookie? Or did you turn into a physio while I was gone? Pretty damn sure I only missed half the match. That is pretty fast work to become a physio too, kid.”

My words were sharp, and the rookie stepped back with a shrug. “Only worried about you, Jay.” He mumbled. “The whole team were when they realized you were gone.”

Guilt washed over me, and I knew there was no need to treat him as badly as I had. “Sorry.” I stuttered, just as a deeper voice spoke up from the doorway, when I bent to grab my skates.

“I hope you do not think for a moment you are getting on that ice, Knight.” Coach said bluntly. My shoulders sagged, while I turned to look toward him in exasperation.

“I am good.” I told him, despite the fact I felt like my damn arm wanted to fall from my socket right about now. “Just been telling the kid how I think I could be good to play in a few days. Rested last night, and already feeling so much better.”

“Like crap you will.” Coach snapped. “Get real. Do as you're told for once, Jayden.”

I angrily tossed my skates to the floor. “For f**k's sake, what is it with you? Are you trying to punish me for getting injured?” I snarled. “You know I am needed out there. Not only that but I need to be out there.”

“Don’t be so ridiculous, Jayden. This is not about punishment, it is taking care of yourself.”

“Taking care of me, caring for the team is letting me back on the ice.” I stepped closer to him, almost threateningly, and at that moment I knew I had taken it too far. The raised voices had clearly drawn the attention of some of the other players, as the team captain, Reuben, rushed through the doorway, seeming to think immediately he needed to pull me away from the coach, forgetting in the process of my shoulder, making me lash out in pain.

Mason, our goalie, seeing me lash out, clearly thought a brawl was about to erupt, and decided to join in the foray, making the whole situation one big mess as he tried to pull us apart.

“Get off my f*****g shoulder you dumbass!” I yelled, only for both men to drop their arms, and the coach to whistle loudly, stopping us all in our tracks, like we were young boys on a school yard once more. We turned to him sheepishly.

“Was there need for that?” He demanded. “Grow the f**k up, all of you.”

“Hey!” Reuben said defensively, “I was coming to your rescue.”

“I am a grown man, and I could kick any one of your asses.” Coach said with a shake of his head.

“I wasn't going to do anything to him.” I mumbled shamefully.

“Well, whatever you planned to do wasn't acceptable. Get your damn temper in check, Knight.” Coach snapped. “It may be one thing on the ice, but off it, and with your teammates is another thing.”

“I am coming back to training.” I told him defiantly.

“Like f**k you are. You need something to occupy that pea-size brain of ours? You are now one of our leads on the new outreach project I have signed us up on at the local school, Darkmoor Academy. Charity work should keep your brain busy. Not to mention looking great for your reputation.”

My mind recoiled at the thought. Not because I did not think charity work was a great idea for the team as a whole, but because charity work was simply not going to get me back onto the ice. I needed to be training. I needed to do more work on myself, not for others. “Coach...” I began.

“It is not up for discussion.” Coach snapped. “I will send you the details.”