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He did and they drove to the team house. No one was there during the day unless someone was sick, everyone would be back at the gym, even if they weren’t required.

“So what the hell happened?” Maddox asked as they walked in.

“I am unofficially suspended for the rest of the season. Sam gave me a place to rent in the suburbs and basically told me to get my shit straight before next season or I’m off the team.”

Maddox let out a long whistle. “Fuck, man.”

Chance agreed. The fight hadn’t even been worth it. He was tired of getting pushed around by that other team and the ref not doing anything about it. The last time it happened, Chance decided he would do something about it.

That something was a black eye for the other player, which led to Chance getting a red card and being kicked out of the game. It was dumb.

“You got a plan?” Maddox asked.

Chance shook his head. “Just happened. Haven’t wrapped my head around it yet.”

“Well, you’re about to be living in the suburbs so I guess you’ll have plenty of time to think about it,” Maddox joked.

“I’ve got to get packing,” Chance said.

“It’s a good sign that they didn’t just fire you. Sam even giving you a place to stay is good news. They clearly just want you to get your shit together.”

Chance shrugged. “Yeah.” Except it was clear they thought he brought the whole team down.

“Just think it over. All you’ve got to do is not start a fight.”

“Easier said than done,” Chance said.

“Come on.” Maddox started for the stairs. “I’ll help you pack for your domestication.”

Chance rolled his eyes. At 28 he wasn’t quite ready for the domestic period of his life, not sure he ever would be. Now he was being forced away from the thing he did love and needed to find a way to deal with it.

“Come out with us this weekend, still?” Maddox asked as he started grabbing suitcases and throwing them on Chance’s bed.

“I doubt I’m allowed to,” Chance admitted.

“Let me talk to the coach. We already planned this night for Ian’s birthday, so I don’t think it’s fair to make you miss out. He’ll let you come.”

Chance doubted it. “Fine, if Derek says it’s okay, then I will, but only if I hear it from him.”

“You think I would trick you?” Maddox put a hand over his heart. “I’m deeply offended.” He faked shock.

Maddox was the jokester of the team, and always had something witty to say or do. Usually, it wasn’t annoying, but today he wasn’t in the mood for it.

“I’ll take care of this. Tell Derek to call me if it’s okay. If I don’t hear from him then I won’t be there.”

“Get you a dog or something,” Maddox said out of nowhere.

“What?”

“You know, so you don’t get lonely without me,” Maddox winked and walked off.

Three

“We are just getting the things we need. Do not ask for anything else. Just a quick in and out.” Tori reminded Emmett for the tenth time since they left the game.

It was Saturday morning, and she needed to get groceries, something she usually tried to do without Emmett along. It wasn’t that he was bad, just distracted easily, and this would take twice as long with him.

They’d gotten up early, rushed over to his game, and he’d played his heart out. Of course, Isaac hadn’t shown up. He also hadn’t called to give Emmett the bad news. She’d been the one to do it. Not that she expected any different.