Page 6 of Rule Breaker

“I’m in.”

“Cool.”

Dane got everyone’s attention and raised his glass. “As Captain of the Cougars, I want to thank everyone for an amazing game today. We’re starting out strong, so let’s keep it going!”

There were cheers and glasses clinked.

“Kayden?” Dane motioned to me to go ahead.

I cleared my throat. “I know we’ve all got busy schedules, but I’m volunteering for a local children’s charity and wondering if anyone wants to help. It’s two hours, once a month. No pressure either way. You can text me if you’re interested. Thanks.”

There were nods around the table and I left it at that. Guys had a lot on their plate with hockey and classes. Then I thought about juggling everything I had on the go this year.And my struggle to maintain my grades. I was probably taking on too much, but I hated saying no. Especially when it came to volunteering. It was second only to hockey in terms of what I loved to do.

“Kayden!” Jace called out from the other end of the table. “Sign me up.”

I nodded, appreciative of his enthusiasm.

Maddox suddenly stood up, walked around the table to talk to Coach, and then left the room.

“Was it something I said?” I quipped out loud when he was out of sight.

“More than likely,” Ethan snarked. “But we gotta give the guy some slack. He’s a goalie. They’re all bizarro. Right, Sean?”

“No.” Sean rolled his eyes. “We’re the normal ones. It’s the rest of you that are a pain in the a?—”

Coach coughed and interrupted Sean’s comment.

“I’ve got to get going, but great game today.” Banning nodded. “I’ll see you at practice in two days.”

Coach paid the bill and headed out. Everyone filed out of the restaurant, with me, Dane, and Jace walking back to the dorm. When we got to the third floor, I said goodbye to my friends and headed for my room. I barely made it to my bed and it was lights out.

I would’ve loved to have slept in the next day, but there was no rest for this college student.

After heading to the cafeteria and scarfing down a questionable breakfast burrito, I hopped in a rideshare and arrived at All For Play. Once a month, they organized adesignated game day for the kids. Today, it was adapted basketball.

I met with the activity coordinator, a woman named Keeley Truitt, helped her set up the space, and met all the kids before I refereed the game. Watching these nine- and ten-year-olds—many of them in wheelchairs—making friends and having fun was its own reward. It reminded me to never take what I had for granted. I always knew that hockey was it for me, but helping my community was just as important.

After the game, I was invited by Keeley and the kids to join their pizza lunch. Hey, I never said no to free food either.

“I’m organizing a sledge hockey series this winter,” Keely announced when we were eating. “Are you familiar with it?”

“I’ve been to a few games back in Maine,” I replied. “I could ask if the college would be willing to let us use the rink.”

“The kids would love visiting Sutton U, but if not, there’s a local rink we can book. I’ve already sourced the equipment we need.”

“You mean the sleds?”

She nodded. “Our fundraiser this fall should cover it. Fingers crossed we hit our target and then I can start planning for the new year.”

“I’ve already mentioned to my teammates about volunteering. I’m sure they’d be keen for sledge hockey.”

“I’ll keep you updated,” Keeley replied.

Once lunch was done, I said my goodbyes to the kids, with promises to return.

When I arrived back on campus, I went straight to the gym for a light workout. Instead of waiting for the elevator, I took the stairs to the second floor. As usual, I was all up in my head, and not even noticing where I was going. Until I ran right into someone.

Not someone. Maddox.