22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Wes

My favourite thing about sports?

No matter how well you do, how many times you score, the game always goes on. The scoreboard doesn’t give a damn about an impressive goal, as soon as the whistle blows, you’re back to square one with a slight confidence boost.

It’s refreshing in the most exhausting way.

Like most lacrosse games, as soon as the first goal is out of the way, everyone seems to loosen up. Whether you’re the team taking the lead, or the one falling behind, as soon as the first goal is scored the floodgates open and suddenly forwards start taking as many shots as possible.

Why that is? I could not tell you.

The next quarter flies by with extraordinary shots and saves made by both teams. Nico has been on fire this whole game, throwing himself around the crease like an absolute pro, while the Saber goalie stays close behind - other than my goal in the first quarter, he hasn’t let the ball slip past him once.

We hit halftime with Tigers on the board with one point, Sabers zero.

And that’s when Silverwood releases the Hulk.

Hunter curses under his breath as we watch Vector run onto the field, completely fresh from sitting out the first two quarters. Anger issues aside, the guy is a fantastic player. As soon as he stepped onto the field everyone’s job just got that much harder.

“Ready to play, Tigers?” Vector’s nasally voice would be hilarious if it wasn’t for the malicious gleam in his eyes. One of our seniors flinch, no doubt remembering their teammate being carried off the field in a stretcher last year.

“Didn’t realize inanimate objects could play, Vector.” Cody’s voice breezes past the tension dividing the field, drawing reluctant chuckles from our side. Through his face guard, I see Vector blink slowly, unsure of what to make of the unexpected power play.

Seeming completely unconcerned about the threat of bodily harm, Cody blows the beast a kiss, putting a smirk on every Tiger’s face and setting off some snickers on the Saber side. Vector turns and glares at his teammates just as the ref blows his whistle.

The lingering fear seems to dissipate as everyone readies themselves into position. Say what you want about my short, stocky captain but one thing’s for certain.

The guy has balls. And they’re definitelymade out of vibranium.

“Mother fu…” Letting out a string of expletives, I watch as Vector snatches the ball out of the air not five feet from where I’m standing. Hunter overthrew the shot, and I didn’t get there in time to stop the bulldozer from embracing the breakaway opportunity.

Swivelling with impossible grace, Vector does a full 180 and charges down the field back to where Nico just barely managed to save his last shot. I sprint after him, but the guy’s stride and sheer power leaves me with no hope of catching up.

One of our senior defensemen attempts to block Vector’s pass, but one momentum-fueled bodycheck later, the guy goes flying. One bounce, two bounces, the defensemen comes to a crunching stop and I change my trajectory to his direction. I see Cody correct his own course of action to intervene, but it’s too late. Vector flings his stick with furious intent and the ball flies right over Nico’s foot and into the net.

Saber cheers go up as I rush to the fallen player’s side. By the time I reach the redheaded senior he’s already sitting up and waving away offers of medical assistance.

“Bro, that wasn’t even closeto the worst body slam I’ve had. The only thing hurting right now is my ego. Tell me, did the fall look sick at least?” Relief hits me as I grin, reaching out a hand to pull the defenseman to his feet.

“Sick is the only word I would use to describe that fall.” Mason chuckles and fetches his lacrosse stick from the ground just as Cody runs over.

“Mace, you alright?” Concern fills our captain’s voice as he offers a hand of assistance.

Mason slaps the hand away and gives him a reassuring laugh, “Quit with the babying, Cap. You know as well as I do our position means taking a tumble now and then.”

Cody shakes his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “I’m glad you are okay. Let me know if you want to get subbed next quarter.”

Snorting, Mason waves off the comment, “As if I would give Vin the satisfaction.”

Together we walk back to the centre circle, where the Sabers are still celebrating the tie-up. Watching Vector rejoice with his teammates feels like watching a lacrosse-playing vampire celebrate his bloodthirst among friends and family.

Nope, I am no longer Team Edward.

As if reading my offensive thoughts, Vector glances over to us. For a split second, I think his pale expression is about to transform into something resembling an apology, but then he ruins the moment by raising his finger and sliding it slowly along his neck. Psychopath style.

Good to see Silverwood’s sportsmanship is up to standard.

“That guy’s got serious issues.” Mason mumbles the comment before peeling off into position. Despite the defensemen’s reassurances, it’s pretty obvious he’s shaken from his fumble with Vector. The guy hasn’t been able to look anywhere butthe white-haired vampire, as if he’s waiting for the kill shot to happen at any minute.

Little did I know it wasn’t Mason who should have been worried.

With a tied scoreboard and only two minutes left in the third quarter, I sneak a glance at Trip in the crowd. The sight of her paint-streaked face is enough to drop my nervous system back down into its normal stratosphere.

Breathe, Wes. Just breathe.

The whistle blows and we’re off.

Lou

It happened so fast.

One second he was running up the field, the next he was crumpled on the ground. And this time, he didn’t get back up.

Vector was tearing down the field like some sort of madman when Hunter stepped out in front of him, ready to steal the ball from the charging bull. I’ve never felt so afraid for someone else’s life – and that was before Cody yanked the rookie out of the way and took the full force of Vector Vin.

Tears filled my eyes as I watched the team’s beloved captain – my friend – get trampled like a vintage rag doll across the field. Cody’s body rolls to a stop, and there’s no movement in sight. The bleachers, unusually quiet, let out a collective gasp as it becomes clear Taber Tigers’ captain isn’t getting up anytime soon.

With a scream, Stella volts herself from our bench and hurtles down three rows of bleachers, scrambling over spectators until she hits even ground. Mo lets out a curse as we watch his sister sprint across the field to the crumpled heap of lacrosse gear. She makes it there before any of the other players or medics and drops to her knees, reaching out to cradle Cody’s face in her hands.

By this point players and spectators alike are streaming onto the field, a chaotic muddle that makes our traverse to the injured Tiger much more difficult. When we finally reach him, the medics have arrived and are struggling to move Stella aside.

“Ma’am, we can’t help him if you don’t let us move him.”

Tears stream down my roommate’s face as she shakes her head, refusing to let go. Mo sighs and walks over to his sister, crouching down to gently peel her grip off Cody’s unresponsive body.

“Stel, you gotta let go. This isn’t like last time. You will see Cody again, I promise.” Continuing to ease her hands away from his fallen comrade, Mo continues, “They need to take him to a hospital. Let them help him, Stel. You need to let go.”

Eventually, Stella lets herself be led away from Cody. The sight of Stella’s tear-stained face has my heart constricting painfully. The broken expression on her face reveals a devastation much deeper than today’s events on the lacrosse field.

Forcing myself to look away, I spot Wes talking to one of the paramedics. Helmet tucked under one arm, his expression grim and tired. As I approach the two men, I can’t help but overhear the end of their conversation.

“… in that case, I’d be happy to drive behind the ambulance and meet you at the hospital.”

“You’re not going to finish the game?” My question comes out louder than expected and Mo starts to make his way over, a deathly pale Stella in tow.

Wes jolts in surprise, “Trip! God, I’m so glad you’re here.” Wrapping me up in a bone-crushing hug, my arms find their way around his sweat-soaked neck and into his dishevelled hair. He smells surprisingly good for someone who has been running around a field for the last forty minutes.

“I am so sorry you had to see this. Most games aren’t like this, I promise.” Wes whispers the words in my ear, his warm breath sending tingles down my neck.

“Quit being so Canadian. You couldn’t have expected this would happen, and I’ve loved watching you play today. Are you okay?” I pull back from our embrace, noting the dullness in his eyes that has taken the place of Wes’ signature sparkle. He looks crushed. Defeated.

“I’ve been better.” A rueful smile fights its way onto his face and without thinking, I pull him down for a kiss. The instant our lips touch I feel the weight lift off his shoulders. He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me up, pressing me tight against his chest. Lost in a language only we understand, Wes spills the stress and tension he’s been holding inside while I offer him a safe place to land.

A cough pulls us apart and we both turn to see Mo standing with his arms crossed. Stella stares silently at the stretcher being carried towards Cody’s unconscious form.

“Did I hear you say you’re not finishing the game?” The accusatory tone makes me wince, but Wes appears unfazed as he gently lowers me to the ground.

“That’s right. I’m heading to the hospital to wait and see what Cody’s results are.” Wes’ response has Mo venomously shaking his head.

“You will do no such thing. Your team needs you here, and Cody’s condition is not going to change whether you’re at the hospital in two minutes or twenty.” My jaw drops at Mo’s harsh words.

“I thought you two were friends?” Frosty blue eyes meet mine and I resist the urge to flinch.

“We are. And as his friend, I know that he would want Wes to finish the game without him.” Shifting his steely gaze from me to the rookie, Mo continues, “Don’t let the Tigers lose their first game in five years because of an injury. Avenge your fallen captain with a victory. Right here, right now.”

“If it were me in that ambulance, Cody would be riding its ass all the way to the hospital. Undefeated champions or not.” The clench in Mo’s jaw has me nervously shuffling my feet as the two men stare each other down.

“If you leave this field before the final quarter, you can kiss rookie-of-the-year goodbye.” I stare, aghast, at the unbelievably handsome yet cruel man throwing around ultimatums.

“You aren’t even on the team anymore. You can’t make those decisions.” My voice rings out over Wes’ frozen silence, the fierceness in my tone causing Mo’s eyes to widen in surprise.

He opens his mouth to respond when a feeble whisper cuts him off.

“She’s right.” We all turn to look at Stella as she sways unsteadily on her feet. Mo takes a step towards her, but I beat him to it, rushing over to support my roommate.

Stella glares defiantly at her brother, “You aren’t the captain anymore, Cody is. These are his players, not yours. So, unless you have something to say that will help Cody’s condition, backoff.”

Stella sags into my arms as if the confrontation used up the last of her energy. Her furry tail and matching ears got lost along the way, and for some reason, the loss hits me harder than it should. I find myself blinking back tears as I brush aside a few stray platinum strands and pull her close.

Looking up, I see guilt and concern riddle Mo’s features as he takes in his sister’s exhausted state.

He sighs, running a hand down his face, “You need to rest, Stel. Why don’t I take you back to my hotel.” Seconds tick by, and I find myself holding my breath as we all wait for her verdict.

“I’d rather go to the hospital with Wes.” Raising her chin insolently, Stella gives her brother a pointed stare, “And after that, I’ll go home with Lou.”

Clenching his jaw hard enough to break molars, Mo gives us a terse nod. Spinning on his heel to return to the bleachers, Nico makes a sudden appearance, and Mo goes crashing into his tall, lanky body. The two men fall to the ground, limbs flailing as they each try to break their fall.

“Oof,” the air gets expelled out of Nico’s lungs as the dense lacrosse legend lands flat on top of him.

Trust me, I know the feeling.

Before anyone can offer a hand, Mo jerks away from Nico as if he’s caught fire. Jumping to his feet with the agility of a gymnast, the graduated Tiger doesn’t look at Nico before taking off. Nico climbs back to his feet, brushes off his pants, and stares quizzically at Mo’s retreating form.

“I swear I’ve seen him before…” Nico shakes his head, suddenly remembering the matter at hand. “Never mind. I came to tell you the game has been postponed. There was talk about forfeiting but the refs are having none of it. Silverwood has agreed to a rematch next weekend.” Wes visibly sags in relief.

“Thank God. Cap deserves to at least be present when we whip Saber’s ass. We’re heading to the hospital now, do you want to come?”

Nico nods towards the crowded field, “The boys and I are on equipment duty and some serious crowd control. I’ll make sure Lacey is alright, you go make sure our captain is being taken care of.” With a slap on the back, Nico heads back to the field and Wes ushers us to his vehicle.

“What the hell is that?” The horror in Stella’s voice breaks a chuckle out of my chest. My worries are momentarily forgotten as my roommate eyeballs the beige rust bucket Wes has so graciously provided us.

“That, my dear Stella, is none other than a Ford 500.” Wes announces the fact proudly and yanks open the passenger door. The hinges groan loudly and a chunk of the rubber seal falls to the pavement. Wes flashes me a grin, and I add the final piece.

“Her name is Lola.”