Breaking The Ice

CHAPTER 14

Jaxon POV

Wednesday's practice started with one sentence. “Today…” Coach Reynolds announced. "you're all going to hate me.” Gray sighed dramatically. "I already had plans.” Coach didn't even look at him. "You can cancel them.” The team groaned. Coach smiled. “Conditioning." Tyler dropped his head. "I knew I should've faked an injury.” Connor glanced sideways. "You'd have to run with the trainers.” "...Never mind.” Connor quickly recovered.

Coach blew his whistle. "Blue line.” Within seconds we were lined up. Sprint after sprint. Board touches. Backward skating. Forward skating. Then repeat. By the time Coach finally called for water, the entire team looked exhausted. Gray collapsed onto the ice. "I can hear colours.” Easton skated around him. "Pretty sure that's a concussion.” He informed him. "It's enlightenment.” Gray corrected.

Coach pointed toward the bench. “Walker." Gray didn't move. "I've transcended.” Coach sighed. "Someone drag him.” The Coach ordered. Tyler grabbed Gray by the back of his jersey and slowly pulled him across the ice. "I regret every life choice.” Gray muttered. "You've said that three times today.” Tyler said with a eye roll. "I keep making new ones.” Even Coach laughed. Only a little.

Practice finally ended nearly two hours later. Most of us headed toward the locker room. I stayed behind to stretch. When I finally walked inside, the room was almost empty. Connor was packing his bag. Tyler was searching for a missing skate guard. Gray… Gray was strangely quiet. That alone caught my attention. He sat on the bench staring at his phone. Not talking. Not moving. Connor noticed it too.

"You sick?” Gray didn't answer immediately. “Hm?" Connor frowned. "You've been quiet for almost five minutes.” Gray looked up. "You timed me?” He asked. "I was concerned.” Gray looked back down at his phone. Then… "I think Bennett's in trouble.” The locker room went still. Tyler stopped searching. Connor straightened while I immediately looked over. "What do you mean?” I asked as Gray scratched the back of his neck.

"I wasn't trying to snoop.” That sounded exactly like someone who'd accidentally snooped. "I went back to the athletic lounge after weights.” He shrugged. "Forgot my headphones.” Connor folded his arms. “And?" Connor pushed. "She was there.” He said and I felt myself becoming impatient. “So?" I asked. "She didn't know I was outside.” Something about his tone made me pay attention.

"She was on the phone.” He hesitated. "I only heard a little.” Connor and I waited. Gray looked uncomfortable. "I heard her asking if anyone had a room to rent.” Silence. My stomach tightened. "Then she said…" He looked down at the floor. "...'I can't afford that either.'"

Nobody spoke. For once… Gray wasn't trying to be funny. Connor was the first to break the silence. “Housing?" Gray nodded. "I think so.” Tyler sat down heavily on the bench. “Damn." He uttered. "I thought she was just stressed about classes.” Connor said. "So did I.” I said, looking at my feet. Gray sighed. "I almost walked in.” He said. "What stopped you?” I asked. He shrugged. "She sounded…" He searched for the word. "...embarrassed."

That didn't sound like Riley. No. It sounded exactly like Riley. She'd rather struggle quietly than let anyone know. Connor looked at me. "You knew something was wrong.” He said. "I knew she was worried.” I said before I continued. "I didn't know why.” Gray rubbed both hands over his face. “So... What do we do?” He asked. Nobody answered. Because none of us knew.

The next morning, Riley arrived at practice exactly on time. Just like always. She smiled. Talked to Tyler. Laughed when Gray claimed he'd permanently damaged both lungs during conditioning. If I hadn't known… I would've believed everything was normal.

Coach gathered us at center ice. "Pair up.” Players scattered. Without thinking, Riley skated over beside me. “Morning." She greeted. “Morning." I replied automatically. "You survive yesterday?” She asked. “Barely." I said and that made her smile. "I thought Tyler was going to cry.” She said on a laugh. "He did.” I said and she laughed. “Seriously?" She asked. “No…” I paused. "But it was close.” She shook her head, still smiling. It was a good smile. Convincing. Too convincing. "You okay?” There it was again. That tiny pause. Barely noticeable. Then… "I'm fine.” That same lie again.

Coach blew his whistle. "Let's move!” The drill began. For the next forty minutes, Riley didn't miss a pass. Didn't lose a battle. Didn't make a single mistake. She played exactly the way she always did. Focused. Determined. Reliable. Anyone watching would've said she looked completely normal. But I kept remembering what Gray had said. "I can't afford that either.” Suddenly… Every smile looked a little forced. Every laugh ended a little too quickly. Had it always been like that? Or was I only seeing it now?

Practice ended with a scrimmage. As everyone headed off the ice but Coach called my name. “Hayes." I stopped. "Yeah, Coach?” He glanced toward the locker room where the team had already disappeared. "You look distracted.” I considered lying. Instead… "I think Bennett needs help.” Coach studied me for a long moment. “And?" He asked. "I don't think she'll ask.” Coach nodded slowly. “No." He looked toward the empty rink. "I don't think she will either."

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. Then Coach rested a hand on my shoulder. "Sometimes the hardest thing for people like Bennett…" He smiled faintly. "...is letting someone help carry the load.” I watched Riley disappear through the tunnel. She looked exactly like she always did. Head high. Shoulders back. Walking like nothing in the world could knock her down. But I knew better now. The strongest people… Were usually the ones carrying the heaviest burdens.

And for the first time since I'd met Riley Bennett… I wasn't thinking about how to help her become a better hockey player. I was wondering how to help her without making her feel like she'd failed.