Redeeming Heart

Grasping for second chance

Coach Peterson did a double-take when he saw me arriving with the team.

Aunt Maggie took me shopping for new gear once I informed the team that I will be joining them. I haven’t considered sharing the news with my father because I had no clue if he would be happy for me, and we haven’t spoken since Brandon’s game.

“Guess, the team finally convinced you to join.” He noted with a smile.

I nodded. “I realized what I was missing and it is against the law to lose like that since we are all the best.”

He shook his head in disbelief but still cracked a smile. “Good to have you on the team, Adams.”

“Good to be back but what is our next plan or who are we facing before we can start facing the states?” I asked.

“You haven’t lost your touch, Adams.” He remarked and introduced the rest of the assisting coaches.

“Since we lost our first match, we are obligated to win the rest of the matches that are left. In order to face the states and of course pro-teams.”

“Do we have a name?” I queried.

Everyone shook their heads. “Since we are the last and the best of past teams. I thought we can call ourselves Louisiana’s Rebels.” I suggested.

I heard murmuring between the girls before smiles unravelled. “Oh, hell, yeah!” Briana exclaimed with the rest of the girls following with cheers.

“Outfits? We weren’t wearing matching outfits the last time and it kind of sucked.” Nicole asked.

We all agreed and looked at the coach for answers. “Leave that up to me,” Clarissa announced. “I am pretty sure my sister would be more than willing to help us out.” She added.

“So, what’s next?” Megan asked, showing her excitement of wanting to start with drills.

“Picking positions,” I noted.

It was chaos when no one knew what the hell was going on and didn’t have any experience. We are supposed to be able to play more than one position as there are only five replacements per team.

“You are of course centre-forward,” Megan said.

Every girl picked their position and we sorted out any arguments and confusion making sure everyone was happy with the decisions made. We finally started with practice and the coaches picked drills to test our fitness levels.

I was pretty sure everyone puked including me by the end of practice.

I still had to pick up Jonah from practice and head over to the pub. I was really starting to miss my car.

Jonah was more than happy with spending extra time with Brandon and his team. He wasn’t even excited to see me and I was too tired to care.

He was all energized up watching Brandon’s team practice and forgot to mention to me that his mother won’t be picking us up. I found out when I pulled a snack out from my bag.

I was even too tired to sink my teeth into my apple when I thought about walking but I had to get something besides protein bars and water into my system.

Jonah finally acknowledged my presence when he came over to sit down beside me. “What happened to you on Saturday?” He asked, showing interest in my bags as if he was too shy to ask.

“You came home late,” He added.

“Are you my babysitter now?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Err, no, I was just curious.” I chuckled at his remark and playfully bump his shoulder with mine.

“Are you okay?” He suddenly asked.

I frowned. “Yeah, I’m good. Why?”

“Things with your father. Both of you have been avoiding each other again.” For a guy who has never spent any time with me was suddenly very worried about me.

“Your dad mentioned that if you land in jail again, you will be charged and could face jail time for a very long time.”

I concealed a smile and chuckle because he was really worried. “I will probably face trouble again but it isn’t something you should concern yourself about.”

He tapped my hockey bag. “What’s this?” He asked and let out a gasp when he impatiently pulled the zipper down.

I shot him a grin and then motioned for him not to tell. He jumped to his feet and it almost looked as if he wanted to scream from excitement. “What?! That’s so cool.”

“Lower your voice, Jonah,” I grumbled, pulling him back down on his butt.

“Can I come to watch when you play?” I looked at him—having a hard time figuring him out.

“You don’t even know if I am good.” I pointed out.

He shrugged. “According to Brandon’s whole team—you were one the best players and captains.”

“And you believe them?” I don't want to be ignorant and admit to him that I used to be good but I won’t classify it as my best.

He nodded. “They were just surprised to learn that I am your step-brother and only expressed that I am lucky to grow up with a legend.”

“My mom was the legend.” I corrected him and I went back to snacking to regain my strength to walk home since Meredith isn’t coming to pick us up.

“Come on, we have to walk,” I told him and gestured for him to gather his stuff as I will not be carrying it since I have my own.

“How was practice today? Have you told the coach about changing positions?” I asked, letting him walk in front of me.

He nodded and shrugged at the same time which told me nothing. “It didn’t change the minds of my teammates that I am a loser.”

I rolled my eyes at his dumb remark. “You are not a loser. They are all losers because they are bullies. The first rule when it comes down to a team, you protect and respect each other.” Hockey teams were smaller compared to other sports which made them a pack. You become family and you can forget about personal space or have any secrets that they don’t know about.

“I felt like punching Nicky in the throat.” He exclaimed with rage.

I just exhaled softly and wanted to the pinch the bridge of my nose. I was such a negative influence on him. “That’s not a good idea, Jonah. It will cost you a lot more than make you gain.”

Three years later and I finally understood what disasters I caused by losing self-control. Blaming everyone else for my problems and taking it out on everything.

“You punched Brandon’s ex-girlfriend in the face.” He reminded me.

I shook my head at him and wondered what chaos I just created. “Learn from my mistakes, don’t follow into the same trap and lose everything.”

“Did you know at that time that Brandon was dating her?”

“Everyone knew. They didn’t really hide it.” I answered—not really understanding where this conversation was heading.

“D-did you have a crush on him?”

I dropped my head back and laughed at his ridiculous presumptions.

I sensed that he wasn’t very amused with my outburst when he stormed off. “Come on, Jonah. I am not laughing at you.” I tried but he ignored me.

Jonah walked ahead all the way home and didn’t even bother to check up on me once. He stormed inside the house, shutting the door behind him with a bang and not even showing care.

I stifled a smile and entered the house. I dropped my things and watched him rush up the stairs towards his room.

My feet halted when I caught my father standing outside his study with a frown plastered on his forehead. “He’s a kid and gets tired of walking all day long.” I kind of emphasized that my car would come in real handy right about now.

He removed his reading glasses. “You never complained.”

I pulled up my shoulders. “It’s not really fair comparing us to each other. I had friends who walked with me and I had my wheels.” I referred to my skateboard. “And you forget, Jonah isn’t from around here. He is still having a difficult time fitting in.”

“He has you.” His remark wasn’t really acceptable.

“I am not his friend, dad. He is thirteen and has to make friends of his own. You can’t force me onto him. That’s a bit ridiculous.”

“I don’t see you bringing friends over.” He pointed out.

“That’s because they are all grown-up and living their dream lives. And last time I checked, nobody wants to come around since mom passed away.”

I took the stairs but paused. “And by the way, who said I don’t have friends? Just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean that they don’t exist.”

Maybe he should try to be a part of my life and would see that I am not as he pictured.