Pain reverberated up my arm, through my neck, and down my back.
“Bastard,” he said right before he tripped me, and shoved me down.
My helmet flew off, giving Beau the perfect opportunity to hit me.
So, he did.
Pain cracked through my head and caused a burning sensation in my neck that made me nauseous.
I heard yelling going on around us.
Somehow, I found the strength to push him off me, and get back the upper hand.
Before I could strike out, someone held back my arm.
“Let go!” I screamed at whoever held me from behind.
Then, I was abruptly ripped off my captain.
“What the fuck are you guys doing?” Isaac yelled at me. He kept his hand on my uniform and stayed directly in front of me.
Two of the other guys were on a very angry Beau. “The guy just got out of the ICU. Are you trying to put him back in?” Edwards asked him.
That sobered me up and I quit trying to fight.
Beau’s eyes met mine.
He stared me down for a moment before shoving away from the guys’ hold.
After he retreated off the ice, I scooped up my helmet and gloves.
Then, I continued on with practice.
Because I really couldn’t risk wasting one minute of ice time.
“You’re not ready,”my coach announced from behind his desk.
His fingers were steepled under his chin.
Fuck.
“I am. Stick me in the next game and I’ll prove it to you.” I was ready to argue with him the rest of the day if I had to.
All I wanted was a chance to show him I could play.
I was ready.
“Trey, it’s not only a physical game. It’s just as much mental. You know that.”
I nodded as confidently as possible. “I know. I’m there, Coach.”
He leaned back in his big, black leather chair. “A minute ago, you were ready to kill your own captain.”
“Yeah, because he deserved it. You can’t tell me if a guy calls out your woman that you wouldn’t answer that back.”
He tipped his head to the side briefly. “I think you need more time. You’ve come back from life support. Give yourself a minute to catch back up.”
He blinked and then continued. “Situations like this, sometimes playing down for a while can reinstill some confidence.”