Page 138 of Hockey Boy
“What texts?” Brooks shuffles up to me so we’re standing toe to toe.
Still avoiding eye contact, I nod to my phone on the shelf in my locker.
Brooks snatches it and grasps my face to unlock the screen. Then he’s sucking in a breath and tossing the device to Gavin. “That’s not real. This has Sebastian written all over it.”
“That motherfucker,” Gavin growls as he hands the phone to Beckett.
Beckett grunts. “We’d never.”
My mind swims. What the fuck? Clearly, I no longer know what’s real and what’s not.
Though one thing is for sure. I let my team down by keeping secrets.
War takes a step forward and points at me. “Don’t.”
Forcing myself to look at him, I frown. “Don’t what?”
“Blame yourself. You cannot control your depression. All you can do is control how you handle it. Now that we know that you’re struggling, we can help you. In fact, as captain, I’m enacting a new rule. Everyone sees a therapist weekly. It’s good for all of us. Consider it team bonding.”
“Thought we already bonded over the glitter dick,” I say on a dry laugh, trying to make light of the situation. I can’t believe this is happening right now.
War scans the room, wearing a stern expression. “Pierced dicks and therapists. It’s our new motto. New guys, make sure you’re taking notes.”
Jorgenson swallows audibly. “You want me to pierce my—” He doesn’t say the word, like just saying it out loud will hurt.
“Yeah. Team-building activity. You’re up first, followed by Keegan. Then we’ll have a team therapy appointment.”
With a shake of my head, I raise my hand. “I appreciate it, man. But no one else has to get pierced.”
Hall lets out a massive sigh. “Dammit, I was really hoping?—”
War glares at him. “You need help, man. Seriously.”
Gavin drops onto the bench beside me. His shirt is tattered, and there’s a cut on his cheek. Body angled in, he stares me down, his brown eyes full of affection. “You are the heart of this team. I should have seen that you were struggling. I’m sorry I missed it.” He grips my shoulder and squeezes. “We’re going to get you the help you need. But Aiden, you have to know, the three of us love you and only ever want to support you. I’d never discuss your career with the two of them behind your back.”
I take a shuddering breath, fighting back the tears threatening to fall. “I should have known that. You’re a great coach. I was just in a dark place.Amin a dark place. And…I need more help.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Sara says from the doorway, a hand over her eyes.
“Everyone’s dressed, crazy girl,” Brooks says, already striding to her.
“Press is waiting. I’ve told them that Aiden won’t be speaking tonight.”
Standing, I shake out my hands. If I don’t do this now, I might lose the courage. “No. I won’t be taking questions, but I will be speaking.” I scan the guys around the room, and when all I find is support, I look back at Sara. “But can you grab Lex for me? I could use her there.”
Sara gives me a small nod. “Of course.”
“What are you going to tell them?” Gavin asks as he follows me out of the locker room. We’re a mess, but there’s something fitting about that.
“The truth.”
THE HOCKEY REPORT
“Good Evening, Boston. This is Colton, and I’m here at Bolts Arena to bring you a special edition of the Hockey Report. We’ve just been told that Aiden Langfield will be making a statement.”
“Yes, Colton. All four Langfield brothers have funneled into the press room, and it appears that the Bolts have decided to skip the showers and game-day suits. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Beckett Langfield look so disheveled. What’s even more strange is that he’s smiling.”
“Good evening, everyone,” Sara Case, head of Bolts PR, says into the mic. “As I mentioned a few moments ago, Aiden Langfield will not be taking questions. But he does have a statement. We ask that you refrain from interrupting him. Thank you.”