Playing the Game by Shawnte Borris

Author:Shawnte Borris [Borris, Shawnte]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shawnte Borris
Published: 2016-03-27T04:00:00+00:00

When the team is on the road, we don’t often get a real night off to ourselves; we’re packed and on our way to the next city as soon as the after-game interviews are over. Even when the team’s at home for a good stretch, there isn’t a lot of down time; we have practice first thing in the morning, followed by team meetings and publicity promos before suiting up and getting back on the ice. Every now and then, though, the schedule lines up and we land in LA for a multi-night stretch to play the Knights and Gulls. If we even bother to change hotels, the next stop is only a short bus-ride away, giving us a chance to really chill between games.

Unlike past trips, I’ve parked myself at the hotel bar, bowing out of the shenanigans the managed to stir up on the rare night off on the road. I swirled what’s left of the ice in my glass of whiskey, wishing I was home with Liz, as I thought about how much had changed in my life. In past seasons, the road trips never bothered me; in fact, I thrived on them, but this season was different. Something changed, and suddenly the need to play the game was overshadowed by being away from my new family. Every subsequent road trip was harder than the last, and I was really tired of my relationship consisting of haphazard text messages and chaotic Skype sessions.

At least Liz took everything in stride, having known what hockey life was like before we got together, unlike me. Having never had anyone to go home to, I didn’t realise how hard it would be, and the three-hour time difference on this trip pounded it home. I tossed back the last of my drink, ready to lock myself in my room and order room service.

Before I could stand, a hand squeezed my shoulder from behind. “Got room for one more?” Andrew, the team captain, asked, releasing my shoulder as he slid into the open barstool next to me. He motioned to the bartender before adding, “It’s not like you to sit in the dark corner at the bar.”

“I just needed some space to breathe a little.” I lifted my glass and nodded to Andrew as the bartender approached, and he turned to grab two glasses to make our drinks.

“You’re different off this ice this season, man. Usually you’re the one leading the team hijinks. Now, you fade into the background and let the younger guys take charge. Everything okay?”

“Just missing the family,” I admitted.

“Ah. I get it. The first season is always the hardest. Linda cried every time we talked when I was on the road our first season together.”

I laughed at the irony, “Oh, Liz isn’t the one crying. She’s handling it like a champ. I’m the one on the verge of tears after every call.” Andrew chuckled sympathetically as the bartender set our drinks on the bar while I went on, “She’s not immune, or anything.

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