Best Man on Campus (Big Men on Campus Book 2) by Stephanie Queen

Author:Stephanie Queen
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2021-04-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Ben

Boston, two days later, Hockey East semifinals

The crowd at the Garden is insane. I can barely hear the bang of our sticks as we stand ready to take the ice. Kace flies out of the gate as his name’s called, then it’s my turn. As my blades hit the ice the feeling of home settles over me, calming my nerves just enough to make the adrenaline rush manageable. The idea that this could be my last game if we don’t win spikes a fierce determination. That’s not happening. We’re not finished until the Frozen Four Championship is ours.

Without thinking, as we line up across the ice for the national anthem, I look into the stands behind our bench and find my mom. But the seat next to her is empty. Shit. Jazzy’s not here. The music starts up and I close my eyes against the storm of emotions, disappointment. Here and now, Ben. Keep your mind in the game.

Easier said than done. It’s not my best game, but I manage an assist for the winning goal and we pull the game out in the third period, winning 3-2. I’m as relieved as I am thrilled to step off the ice with a win and advance to the Hockey East finals. Coach is with the press. The kind with a microphone and a camera and I move fast toward the locker room, but he calls me over. Fuck.

“And here’s the leader of the hottest team in college hockey. How does it feel to know your team is assured a spot in the Frozen Four tournament whether you win Hockey East or not?”

“It doesn’t feel bad.” I grin. “But our goal is to win every game we play until we run out of games.” A spike of awareness that I’m coming to the end of my hockey career shoots through me.

“And when you finish your career with St. Paul U, you’ll start your hockey career in the NHL. Word is you’ll be drafted high. Any preference on which team you want to play with?”

This is the moment, the exact crucible of the decision that I didn’t want to face, the one truth I didn’t want to say out loud because once I do, I can’t look back. If I tell him now my intention is to go to med school, no team will bother drafting me. I’ll seal my fate. Coach begs me with a grimace and a shake of his head not to do it.

“No preference, though my home team favorite growing up was the New York Rangers.” Fuck. I have to be the world’s biggest coward, a world class prevaricator, afraid to pull the trigger on my decision.

The worst part is, I don’t know if I’m pretending I want to play hockey, or pretending I don’t want to. Maybe I’m not lying to the world. Maybe I’m lying to myself.

“You heard it, Rangers. He’s all yours. Good luck with the Hockey East finals and the Frozen Four Championship. I’m sure we’ll be talking to you again.

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