Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I really only had one viable option, and I knew I should be going there anyway. Some rinks weren’t as well maintained as I knew the Grays’ would be. After I hemmed and hawed and meditated and decided maybe I should give yoga a try (I hated yoga), I called Mal Benoit.
He answered right away. “Rain. This is a surprise. It’s late. Is everything okay?”
I winced, remembering the time. I’d been so caught up that I forgot how late it was. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I got caught up with something and didn’t realize the time. I’m calling about some ice time. Could I use the team’s rink? Is there a time I could do that privately? I figure I should dust off some of my rust, you know?”
“Are you planning on skating with the team?”
I hesitated, but then again, he would hear about it. “Yeah, eventually.”
“Oh. Is this something you did with your football clients?”
I almost laughed. “No. I—hockey isn’t the same. It’s a different culture. There are plays and strategies of course, but hockey is a bit more… This is just something I need to do. Something I can do, but I’d like to practice first. It’s been a while since I’ve skated.”
“Right. Of course. You met the building manager, yes? I’ll send word to him, and you can confer with him about private time on the ice. They might need to clean the ice after you.”
“Of course.” I hesitated to ask, but since I’d started down this road, I couldn’t let it go. “Any chance you could send that note this evening?”
“Oh…” I could tell I’d surprised him. Again. “Sure. I’ll do it as soon as we hang up.” He went quiet, and I was about to end the call when he spoke up. “Hockey’s not new to me, Rain. I know that certain struggles are still shoved under a rug, but I did do my homework. If there’s anything you need, I’m a phone call away. I love this sport, and one of the reasons I love it is because of the team camaraderie. I needed that when I played, leaned on it during some hard times. Anything you need—and I mean that, anything—don’t hesitate.”
My breath caught. “Thank you,” I managed after a moment. “You’re aware that I don’t usually work in hockey. There are some memories coming up.”
“You know, the building manager tends to do a walk-through right before he heads home, and sometimes he does it after his daughter’s volleyball game. The rink is a few blocks from her school. There’s a chance he could still be there tonight.”
I closed my eyes, swallowing tightly. He knew. He understood what I was yearning to do. “Thanks for that, Mr.—”
“Mal, Rain. Mal.”
“Yes. Mal.”
“Goodnight. I’ll send that note right away.”
He ended the call before I could say thank you again, but that was probably for the best.
I needed to do this. Now that I’d decided, it was like I couldn’t restrain myself anymore.
My phone beeped ten minutes later with a text from Mortimer, the building’s manager.
Hello, Miss Rain. Mr. Benoit said you might be wanting to use the rink, maybe even tonight. The keys you got earlier today should get you in through the staff door. Just turn the lights off when you’re done. Benji always cleans the ice first thing in the morning. He’s got what you call insomnia, and we’re used to the rink being used at all hours of the night. Ice is yours whenever you’d like. - Morty
Rain: Thank you, Mr. Mortimer. I may come around this evening. I really do appreciate this.
Mortimer (Building Manager): It’s Morty, ma’am.
I made a mental note to get to know Morty and find out what he enjoyed, or what his wife enjoyed. Leaving the rink open for me was a big ask. Whether Benji really did have insomnia was one thing, but knowing the Zamboni would have to clean up after me was another. My throat felt thick all over again, because this was only part of the life I used to know. I had to stand in the corners and the shadows back then, but that never took away how much this sport made me feel alive.
I grabbed my skates and I was out the door.
11
TYLER
Going to the rink at midnight was an old habit of mine. It was also a bad habit. I’d slowed way down years ago, but it was still my go-to when things were a mess in my head. And things were definitely a mess nowadays.
My phone buzzed as I was parking.
Nolan calling.
I frowned, answering. “Dude. It’s late here. You’re an hour earlier than us. Is everything okay?”
He was quiet for a beat before he sighed. “You’ve not been on social media or checked your messages?”
My heart went cold.
“I’m sorry, man. Word got out about Zoey. Someone took a picture of you holding her hand in the hospital. She’s sixteen, so some outlets will blur out her face and won’t print her name, but you know how people are. They’ll find her.”