Queen II Barzal

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Tyler

 I texted Finn before our morning skate. I was still shaken up from yesterday, knowing that one of my childhood best friends was no longer alive.

Me: Finn something happened

Finn: No shit, we're in the playoffs

Me: Finn this is serious

Finn: Ok, what is it?

Me: I should probably tell you in person

Finn: Ty, what is it?

Me: I'm on my way to the rink

Finn: That's what you needed to tell me?

Me: What? No, it's actually important, gimme a minute

Finn: Ok I'll be at the rink in 5

We met up in the parking lot of the rink before we went inside. I came up to him quickly, wiping a stray tear from my face.

"Dude, are you okay?" Finn asked.

"Remember when we wrote to Taylor a few weeks ago?" I asked.

"Is he okay?" He asked.

"Finn, he died," I looked at the ground.

He lifted my head up and looked me in the eyes with tears coming out of them. He gave me a long hug and I wasn't stopping him.

"Shit, I wish I was a better friend to him," Finn said.

"Don't say that, Finn, you guys were good friends," I told him.

"He was such a good guy," He said, pulling away from our hug.

"I know," I sighed. "Are you okay?"

"It's a lot to take in," Finn said. "He's like a brother to me... to both of us,"

"His sister told me last night," I said.

"Who else knows?" Finn asked.

"I don't know," I said. "Zack was coming to visit maybe next week, he could stay for the funeral,"

"Ty, we have playoffs right now, how are we supposed to plan a funeral?"

"The best thing that we could do is be here for Kelly and the rest of his family," I told him. "The Cup can wait,"

"We're going to win the cup for him, it's what he wanted," Finn said.

"We'll play tomorrow night but we can ask Coach to take off the next game for the funeral," I said. "One game won't hurt,"

"Okay," Finn said. "Did you tell Coach?"

"Will you come with me?" I asked.

"Sure," He sniffled, walking into the rink with me.

We told Coach about Taylor. He told us how valuable we were to the playoffs, but he could get some replacements in while we take a day in grief. We still practiced, I knew Taylor would want us to.