Tape to Tape

Chapter 7

"Honestly, Coach, it's not that bad."

It was that bad.

After I had bumped into Julia and cleared everything up with her, I ended up staying and helping her unpack her stuff into her new apartment. She was saying in a loft above a fancy (and overpriced) cafe that all the rich moms gather at.

Of course, some sneaky little paparazzi with their stupid little cameras got pictures of me helping her move in. And on top of that, there were even a few of us when we were hugging. All of these of photos were released with stupid click bait headlines about our 'secret romance'.

"It's pretty bad," Coach Babcock replied with a sigh and a frown. I looked over at Julia, who was sitting in the chair next to me and fidgeting with her gloves. Coach had called us into his office before practice, and we were getting a run down on what was apparently team etiquette.

"Quite frankly, I have no idea why we're having this discussion," Julia said sternly, glaring at Coach Babcock. Did she have a death wish?

"Because there really shouldn't be any romantic involvements between team members!" he shouted at us, leaning forwards. I flinched away, but Julia had a stone cold expression on her face and didn't budge.

"But we've told you again and again there is no romantic involvements. Hell, Feds acts more romantically with Mitch and no one says anything. Just because I'm a girl, doesn't mean I want to bone every guy in sight," she scoffed, crossing her arms. She did have a point.

"Honestly, I was just trying to be a good friend and make up for what happened the other day after practice. I don't think there's anything wrong with building relationships with your teammates," I added.

"Alright, I'm sorry for getting so upset. I just don't want to ruin this amazing opportunity we have here, you know? Julia, I was just looking out for you," Coach Babcock apologized, giving us a smile.

"Yeah, yeah. Because you don't want people thinking I slept my way to where I am now," she sighed, before getting up and storming out of the room. I turned around and began to get up to follow her, but Coach Babcock stopped me.

"Ryan, you need to be honest with me. Do you like Julia?" he asked me.

"Just as a friend," I awkwardly replied, slowly sitting back down in my seat.

"I don't want you having any distractions of any sort this year. You know, you have a lot to prove."

"I know, Coach."

"How's that knee of yours? Still bugging you?" he asked, peering over the desk and taking a look at it.

"No, sir. It's a lot better now, honestly. I think I'll be fine."

"Alright son. Take it easy out there, but not too easy. I don't want to fall asleep watching you skate."

———

"What the actual hell was that?" Mitch shouted as he skated up to me.

"Oh my god, shut up! He's gonna yell at us, and then probably murder me," I shushed, lightly smacking him on his arm.

"Was it about those paparazzi photos? Did he see them?"

Before I could respond, Coach Babcock blew his whistle and signalled us to circle around him. Mitch and I made our way to the crowd, joining Will and Auston. In the corner of my eye, I saw Julia skate up to one of the new players, and watched them smile and chuckle at something she said.

"Who is that?" I whispered to Mitch, slightly tilting my head in their direction.

"That's Alec. Apparently he's a real good defender but I've never really seen him play," he replied. I nodded and returned my focus back to Coach, who was talking about what our next few weeks looked like.