Falling Forward ✔

Chapter Twenty-Four - Bastien

"Two weeks?!" Spencer demands through a mouthful of sandwich at the Anarchy Café.

"I'm on the bubble for the NHL contract," I remind him again.

Really, I should be stoked. Most minor-league kids don't get pulled to their major-league affiliates. It just so happens a Buffalo player blew out his shoulder and I'm the operative forward until he's medically cleared. I lose the Cyclones but get big-time play again with my old teammates.

"Fuck, Bas," Spencer moodily slams his coffee down. "That leaves us down two players! No way we'll be able to cinch that up while you're gone!"

He's been a bit over-dramatic. I mean, we've been back from Kalamazoo for several days now. I've managed to play captain and capture a decent amount of respect from the guys while Spencer's been nursing that sprained knee. Technically, he'll be good to go come the end of next week, just after Christmas, and we don't play a lot of games until after the holiday. He'll be back on the ice before the new year, and then I'll take my place at his side.

"Hey now," Kaila drops by to offer Spencer another sandwich. "That cup didn't do anything to deserve that man-handling."

"Sorry, Blue." Spencer grabs Kaila around the hips and gives her a tight squeeze. "I just found out my assistant-captain and best left wing is going to be stationed in Montreal for a few months."

I roll my eyes. "A few weeks." I correct.

Technically, I'll be in Buffalo running drills and then going to Montreal for games. They don't need me for long, just enough to see Erikkson through his injury. After that I'm back on the Cyclones' roster, kicking us toward the Kelly Cup.

Cakewalk, really.

Except the concept of travel and fresh faces doesn't quite have the same allure it did mere months ago. Before I had a lust for challenge and change. Now all I can think about is the long days of not having Reece I in my arms.

Kaila perches herself on Spencer's lap. "Does Reecie know, yet?"

Get out of my head. "I just found out after morning skate."

She eyes the small bouquet of white lilies and yellow roses resting at my hip. "Is that why you got her flowers?"

"No," I say honestly. "I just wanted to do something nice."

Kaila purses her lips. "Aww!"

"Probably wants to thank her for rocking his world." Spencer taunts.

Her green eyes grow wide and she claps with glee. "Bas! That's awesome!"

"Reece is a little firecracker. You should have seen the marks on him this morning – ow!" He grabs where I just jabbed his shin with my heel. "Fuck, Bas! That's my bad leg!"

I can't exactly kick his ass with Kaila acting as a shield. "Oops." I simper. "Forgot."

Kaila runs her hand through his hair and I swear he purrs. Winking at me, she says, "I think it's adorable."

"Thanks?" I try not to make it sound like a question.

The flowers were just a little statement to let Reece know I was thinking about her, add some color to her week. Of course, I had to ask Mia what to get after she shot down my suggestions of red roses or a purple orchid. "Too passionate," my sister had said. "You'll scare the poor girl off. Go with something simple, but provocative."

...when the fuck did flowers get so complicated?

The door opens to a cascade of UC students. Kaila pecks Spencer on the cheek before joining Lukas behind the counter to take orders. I stand and head toward the Wall of Expression.