Eight Weeks (Unfrozen Four Book 2)

“and when you’re in the trenches and you’re under fire / I will cover you”—Brother by Kodaline

“You’re supposed to hit the net, Marsh!” Coach Carter yells, angrily throwing his clipboard right on to the ice.

He’s in a cranky mood lately, but it’s sort of given when his daughter died last Wednesday, and his son, the one that tries his best to go pro after graduation, would rather spend his time at a mental hospital to visit my sister than show up for practice.

To be fair, Colin probably had other reasons not to show up today. For instance, because his sister died, and he might need longer to deal with it and such. But I do, however, feel better knowing he still cares about my sister. Even after he got her far enough to be wanting help.

Doesn’t mean Coach should let his anger out on me though.

Now, I know Tobias Carter sees a hell lot of potential in me, which is quite the ego boost coming from a Coach that’s usually coaching the pros. And I like that he tells me when I could do better, but fucking hell. I missed the net once and he goes on yelling at me for it.

For the next thirty minutes, half the team spends it with skating up and down the ice while the other half comes crashing into them. Coach said it’s a great way to practice taking control over sudden anger-outbreaks and aggressive attacks from opponents on the ice. I think it’s complete bullshit.

“What’s up with him lately?” Miles holds his hand out for me to help me back up. That asshole just ran right into me… and we’re on the same side of the team-split here.

I take his hand and make myself a lot heavier than I am just for Miles to struggle a little bit. But of course he doesn’t.

“Not a clue.” Well, I do know, but I promised Colin I wouldn’t say a word to anyone yet.

“He’s acting like me when I don’t fuck at least once a day.” He’s not wrong, that I have to admit. “Anyway, you think he’d let me go early when I ask nicely?”

I shake my head. “No way.”

“That’s what I thought.” Sighing heavily, Miles looks at the digital clock on the other end of the arena. He seems a bit nervous, but I’m not sure why.

“What’s up? I can vouch for you if needed.”

Another headshake, but this time it looks sadder than I’ve ever witnesses Miles act before. “Maeve is giving me a hard time with Brooke.”

Miles usually doesn’t talk about his daughter with the rest of the team around, or anyone really, which tells me exactly how bad the situation is right now.

The team knows of Brooklyn, but Miles still prefers to keep her away from everyone. Only on rare occasions does he bring up his daughter with everyone around or involves her in plans when the rest of the team is there as well.

“She gave me a fucking ultimatum.”

Before I get the chance to speak, Coach Carter blows into his whistle, then shouts, “King, Marsh, I didn’t say you could go on a coffee break! Get back to skating!”

But I don’t. As any good number one alternative captain would, I sit back down on the ice to protest. I don’t care if this is going to get me benched for the next game, but today’s practice is just bullshit.

Miles looks at me as though he’s trying to tell me I’m crazy. Perhaps I am, but I’m doing this for him. If his sister gives Miles an ultimatum, it doesn’t matter what it’s about, the situation is serious. Miles needs to leave, so I’ll help him to get out early. Not giving a shit anymore, Miles sits down right beside me, deciding to protest with me together.

“What the hell is that about?” Coach asks, making his way over to us. As he stands in front of me, he asks again.

“I demand we leave early today. Clearly you have other worries than getting us ready for our next game, Coach. Today’s training sucks. It’s complete bullshit.” Way to go, Aaron. I should be a little less cranky with this man, but hell does it feel good to say it out loud.

“Yeah, Coach. What’s up with practice today? It doesn’t make sense.”

I can watch as the Coach balls his hands into fists then loosens them up again before calling out for the rest of the team to gather around.

Moments later, we’re all standing on the ice like little kids waiting to get handed some ice cream. Just that we’re not getting handed some ice cream but devastating news.

“You all remember Eira, right?”

The team nods because we do. Maybe not the new ones, but last year, for Eira’s fifteenth birthday, the team planned everything. And I mean everything. From the location to entertainment, meals, snacks, etcetera. A handful even went to go dress-shopping with her. Eira has always been a good vibe when she watched us, cheered for us. Everyone loves her.

“My daughter had cancer, as most of you knew. But unfortunately there was nothing more to do for her.” A few gasps sound through the silent arena, aware where this is going. “Eira died last Wednesday, which is why practice was called off all week. Her funeral is this Friday and it’s a little stressful to make every wish she had for it reality.” In translation, the Coach lets his stress out on us through stupid practice because he knows it’ll torture us.

“Colin wanted to be the one to tell you, but due to the situation with his girlfriend, he found it far more important to be there for her than attend today.”

↞♡↠

“You’ve got a visitor,” Grey says, slapping me on the back before pointing across the parking lot of the arena.

After protesting and arguing with the Coach for good fifteen minutes, he finally let us go. Mind you, a whole hour earlier than practice would be off.

Sofia standing on the other side of the parking lot most likely has nothing to do with me.

“Did you know about Eira?” Miles suddenly asks. He’s not the type to be sentimental, at least not that I know of. The concern in his voice is pretty unexpected if you asked me.

“I did.”

“That she was dying, too?”

I nod. “I suspected it. Colin never said anything, but she didn’t exactly look healthy the past couple of weeks. I already had my guesses when Colin said their parents pulled her out of school due to medical reasons though.”

“She got sick pretty young, didn’t she?” Miles rakes a hand through his hair. “Like fourteen?”

Not sure where he’s going with this, but I do have an idea. “They noticed something being off when she was thirteen, but she’s been diagnosed at fourteen.” The only reason I know so much about Eira’s cancer history is because whenever I was over at Colin’s childhood home, Eira wouldn’t stop talking all about everything. Including her cancer.

“How did they notice something was off?”

I finally find the strength to look away from Sofia. My eyes first meet with Grey’s, looking as confused and suspicious as mine probably do. Then we both look at Miles at the same time. We even ask, “You don’t think Brooke has leukemia, do you?” at the very same time. Two different phrasings, but it still gets the same question across.

“No, but what if she does and I simply don’t think about it being possible?”

Grey lays a hand on Miles’s shoulder. “Do you have any reasons to suspect she might have leukemia, Miles?”

Miles shakes his head. “But Maeve said she has been pretty tired and moody lately.”

Hence whatever ultimatum she gave Miles. Maeve might be Miles’s stepsister, and she might have taken in his daughter while Miles is still going to college, but we all know Maeve would much rather never talk to her brother ever again. And when his child starts being difficult… of course she would find something to make Miles feel miserable about it.

For just a second, my eyes wander over to Sofia. She’s still standing on the opposite side of the parking lot, waiting. She keeps on looking at me too, so at least I’m not the only one that can’t stop checking.

“Brooklyn knows you’re her father and Maeve is only her aunt, right?” I hear Grey ask, followed by a quick confirmation from Miles. “Did you ever consider that maybe Brooke would much rather live with her father than her aunt?”

“Sure, but I can’t really change it. I’m not graduating before May.”

“She can stay with us, Miles. I told you a million times. I don’t mind her being around.” Grey and Miles have rented a house together, just like Colin and I have. The best part about it, we’re even neighbors. Our houses are connected by a garden that we have to share. But since Miles and Grey are over at Colin and my house daily anyway, it’s only convenient for them. Makes it easier to get to the other side of the street.

“But I can’t take her to class with me. And she hates daycare. I’ve tried.”

An idea pops up in my head. Not sure if it’s a good or bad one, but it most definitely is an idea. “We don’t always have classes at the same time. I can take care of her while I’m off. Bet Grey would gladly be a helping hand as well.” Because Grey is the best. “Colin has different hours too. He can do something good for once as well.”

“What about hockey? We’re all there at the same time.”

I smirk while looking at Sofia. Miles follows my eyes, but he instantly shakes his head. “I am not letting my four-year-old with a complete stranger.”

“No, but I have a sister. Brooklyn met Lily before. Briefly, but they met. Plus, you know Lily. I know Lily very well. Colin is in love with Lily. And Grey never said anything bad about her, so that’s also a good sign. And there is a high chance Lily and Sofia would gladly spend their time watching your daughter while we’re at practice.”