Grounded by K.R. Collins

Author:K.R. Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA+, contemporary, sports, family-drama, demisexual, bisexual, ice hockey, teammates, coach, injury
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2021-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Toronto comes to town and brings with it her first captain. Daniel Mathers, Matty, is older now. They both are, but she sees his years in the shadows under his eyes as if all his seasons have caught up to him. He’s stiff when he walks, and his knees crack when he bends down to pluck one of Skylar’s toys off the floor. There’s gray in his hair, and it makes Sophie’s throat tight to see.

She organized a dinner for everyone who played with Matty, and there aren’t many of them left. Merlin offered to host, because Marissa has a night shift, and he didn’t want to find a babysitter for Skylar. She’s still small, especially tucked in her dad’s arms. There’s a pink bow clipped to her one wisp of hair. Sophie won’t tell anyone this, but she doesn’t understand why people think babies are cute. Skylar is tiny and fragile and, when she’s unhappy, she’s loud.

“Do you want to hold her?” Merlin offers his daughter to Sophie.

Before Sophie can flee from the room, Matty steps in. “Sophie sees her all the time. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve held one this little?”

“Should I send Jenna warning? An apology?” Merlin grins as he carefully passes his daughter over, supporting her head until Matty has her.

Matty tucks Skylar against his chest and bops her nose. She stares at him, still undecided on whether she likes him. “Jenna and I are done. My toddler-chasing days are behind me.”

Concord traded Matty in Sophie’s second season to clear the way toward naming her as captain. Matty lifted the Maple Cup with Toronto that season with an A on his jersey. He was her mentor, her captain, and then apparently, he was an obstacle. Sophie’s never asked him if he resents her for pushing him out, even if it wasn’t her decision.

Maybe he’s happy no longer having to carry a franchise on his shoulders. In Toronto, he’s well-respected, and he’s an important piece of the team, but he is no longer The Guy. Sophie can’t imagine it. There are days she wishes the spotlight wasn’t so bright as it shines on her, but she thrives on the big stage. In a few years, will she be shuffled to the side to make room for the next star player? Will she pour everything she has into Concord only for them to ship her to another team to retire in obscurity?

She drifts into the kitchen to grab a Gatorade out of the fridge. The hot streak she’s on now, it won’t last. It certainly won’t carry through the entire season, let alone span several. It doesn’t mean she can’t make a mark on this league which will stand for decades to come. When her play inevitably declines, when she retires and becomes a fan rather than a player, she will have a legacy to look back on.

She’s in the midst of it right now. She’s hitting milestones at a rapid pace. She has her eyes set on Bobby Brindle’s point streak record.

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