Sweat drips down my temple, my arms straining to lift the bar above my head before lowering it with a grunt and then repeating the whole process all over again. Beast spots me, his hands hovering over the bar in case I drop the heavy fucker. Weight training every day for two hours is a pain, but it’s a stress reliever at the same time, pushing me to keep going until my whole body is energized and shaking. My hockey career is my main focus when I’m in this gym, and every muscle in my body strains and flexes with the weights. The results are to keep me in shape for the ice, to bulk up for all the hits I take from the other teams, and to make sure I fucking glide across that ice with every slide of my skates. I’ve worked hard to be in fit shape, and quitting isn’t an option in my life. I keep fighting with everything I have.
“Beast, go work on your calves. I want you walking like a newborn calf by the time you leave. Don’t forget to fucking stretch, I got it from here,” Coach says as he walks around to stand at my head, and I look at him from upside down, as he watches everyone like a hawk.
The guy really does care about his team, making sure we have everything we need and pushing us beyond ourselves. He’s more of a father figure than my own dad. It’s not like he’s giving us a band-aid or any shit like that for a cut, but he’s there, yelling in your face to not give up. Grunts and groans sound around the gym as my team works out, but it’s quieter since Coach came over to spot me. Nosey asses are waiting to hear what he has to say, and I just wait as my arms pump the weight bar up again.
“You did good this morning at practice, Wilder. It took a lot of you to not engage in a fight and skate away. That’s the kind of captain this team needs from you, keeping them on their asses and focused on the game.” Coach doesn’t look at me as he talks, he’s glancing around the room with an all too knowing gaze.
“Thanks, Coach.” He helps me hook the weighted bar back into its place, and I sit up, slightly panting. I grab my sports bottle from its spot on the floor near my feet and start chugging water.
My shirt is soaked with sweat, and glancing at the clock on the far wall shows I only have twenty minutes before I meet Princess outside her last class for the day. Coach comes around to stand in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest, and gazes down at me under his hat.
“Keep it up, and those scouts will be fighting over you. Whatever's got into you, don’t let it go. Hit the showers and get the hell out of my gym.” He lays his hand on my shoulder with a squeeze, even as he talks to me in a stern voice. “I like her by the way, she’s good for you.” His lips twitch, and he turns around, yelling at his next victim.
“I want everyone walking out of here on shaking legs! Lift those weights, ladies!” Coach’s voice shouts across the room, and I cover my chuckle into my arm with a cough.
A grunt leaves me as I stand up. My legs are on fire from the weight machine earlier, but it feels fucking amazing with each burning step. Practically jogging to the showers, I push the locker room door open and head right to my locker to strip. After taking a cold five-minute shower, I’m sliding my hand through my hair as nerves grab a hold of me. I’m dressed and throwing my hockey bag over my shoulder as I stride toward the exit in a haste, almost bumping into Collins on my way out. I hold my fist up for him to bump as I pass him, and he slowly raises his in shock to smack his fist against mine.
“Good job out there today. We need to practice that move more,” I call over my shoulder as I leave, and watch his mouth open and close a few times before he nods enthusiastically.
The cold air whips against my face as I really do jog across campus to meet Kat before her class lets out. I hope she likes my surprise and doesn’t feel like I’m doing this out of pity. I just want her to live, and maybe by showing her that it’s going to be okay, she might take chances just for her. If I get her to start skating for an audience, my girl could make it to the Olympics one day.
16
Kat
I’m going to throw up or pass out before Granger can even show me the surprise. He’s already done so much for me, and I feel guilty enough as it is. It better not be something outrageous because I can’t or won’t accept it. Why does he have to be so perfect?
I stifle a moan and slip out the exit after being dismissed from class for the day, all the while ignoring the gossip around campus about Granger and I. The guys on campus have suddenly taken an interest in me like I’m fresh meat, and don’t even get me started on the women around here. I’ve received so many death glares from the female population, and my neck is killing me from shrinking into my desk halfway through class, trying to be unnoticeable. What did catch me off guard though, was that Jeff didn’t say a word to me, didn’t even acknowledge I exist, and I’m completely okay with that. I’ve grown used to his creepy presence over the last few years, and
