Touch My Neck ✓

Chapter Twenty Seven | Why does the goalie have a shield?

Angel Huxley Novak

I held onto the bar, my grip tight as I summoned every ounce of strength within me. Eros stood at the other end, his unwavering support shining in his eyes.

"Alright, we can do this," he encouraged, his voice filled with confidence. I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. With a determined push, I shifted my right leg forward, and then my left. Each step was a triumph, a testament to the progress I was making.

"You're doing it, Angel," Eros praised, his words spurring me on. I felt a smile tug at my lips, and I nodded in response as our eyes locked, sharing a moment of shared victory.

"I'm doing it?" I whispered, a hint of disbelief in my voice.

"Yes, you are," Eros replied, his voice filled with pride and admiration. We continued forward, each step filled with hope and determination.

But then, as if out of nowhere, I lost all sensation in my legs, and my strength gave way. I crumbled to the ground, my body no longer able to support me. Eros rushed to my side, his concern evident in his eyes and the urgency in his movements.

He knelt down beside me, gently helping me into a more comfortable position. "It's okay, Angel," he reassured me, his voice a soothing balm to my panicked heart.

I rush my fingers through my hair.

"We'll take this one step at a time, and we won't give up. We've come so far, and we're not going to stop now."

"It isn't easy Eros." I whisper. "It's been a week of physio-"

"You're not giving up Angel." I roll my eyes, and he helps me back on my feet. I grip onto his arms for dear life and we continue to practice walking.

"How's practice?" I ask him.

"Urm good, you know how coach is-"

Suddenly the door opens, and Eros looks ahead of me before his eyes darken. I raise a brow and turn my head to see Jake and Christina, anger flushes through my veins and I turn back to Eros-shaking my head. He knew immediately what to do and settles me onto the wheelchair.

"What do you want?" Eros speaks up.

"Eros, please we just want to speak." Christina almost begs, why does she want to speak to him? "We understand that you decided to terminate your contract with Atlantic and have now joined Maple Leafs-"

"You did what?" I whisper out, Eros looks down at me before back to the two of them.

"I had to Angel-"

"Eros, why would you do that?" He turns to Christina, ignoring my question.

"And?" He utters.

"And we want you back, we apologise for any harm done to you Eros-"

"You think I left because of the harm done to me?" Eros releases a hefty chuckle, and steps forward. "I left because you treated my girlfriend like shit, I left because you-" he stabs his finger into Jakes chest, Jake stumbles back slightly. "Are nothing but a piece of shit, an insecure equipment manager. You are nothing."

Jakes jaw tenses.

And he glances over at me.

The tension was absolutely crazy, and I knew he wanted to say something.

"Now get out of my face, the pair of you. Good luck with the team, I heard you lost yesterday?" Eros turned back to me, his full attention on my trembling form.

"Angel, we also want to apologise to you."  Christina whispers.

"We both do." Jake utters.

"Please leave me alone." I respond, the sounds of closing doors signalled that we were alone in the room. He extended his hands, offering me his support, and I hesitated only for a moment before placing my hand into his. Slowly, he helped me to my feet, and we began to walk again, our steps uncertain but resolute.