Tricks Of The Game

Chapter 13

*Kelsey's POV*

        I walked from the locker room and slammed the door of my office shut. I was already nervous about seeing Kris after Patrick kicked his ass, but now this drama came up. I couldn't believe that Jon had hit Brianna. Even more so, I couldn't believe she never told me. I could have helped her...If only she knew what I had gone through with Kris. I resolved to go over to Brandon's later to apologize to Bri and help her with everything going on. I cleared my head for the time being, knowing I had to get focused on practice. The first game of the regular season was only a day away.

        I walked out of my office and saw the last person I wanted to see: Abby. She stormed into the arena with both girls in tow. Maddy was in tears. I could feel myself starting to get angry. I couldn't stand to see either of those girls upset. Calm down, I said to myself, you're not their mom.

*Patrick's POV*

        Abby came stomping up to me with the girls. I automatically jumped to the worst conclusion: she found out about Kelsey and I. Why else would she be interrupting practice?

        "Take them," she said, dropping Maddy's hand and handing Sadie to me. "I can't do this today. Maddy lost her doll and is throwing a fit because I won't get her a new one. Just take them."

        "Seriously Abby, I have-"

        "I DON'T CARE. Take them to the family room! I am not listening to this today." She stormed off, leaving me with the kids once again. I turned to take them to the family room when I saw Kelsey walking up to us.

        "Hey girls!" She said, bending down to pick Maddy up. "What's wrong sweetie?"

        "I l-lost my d-doll," she said between tears.

        "Oh baby, I'm so sorry," she said, kissing Maddy's forehead. "I have an idea. How about after practice, I take you and Sadie to American Girl for lunch and we can get you both new dolls and some new clothes?"

        "Yeah!" Both girls shouted in unison. We carried them down to the family room and left them with Chaunette. As soon as we rounded the corner, I pulled Kelsey into my arms.

        "You're amazing with those girls. I love you so much baby. And I know you're nervous about seeing Kris today, but you don't need to be. I swear, if he even looks at you the wrong way, I will kick his ass twice as bad. I love you." I just held her as she cried into my shoulder.

*Kelsey's POV*

        I pulled myself together and laced up in my office. I didn't know how I was going to handle the Kris issue. I didn't even want to look at him. I knew what he did was wrong, but I felt ashamed that I let Patrick take it that far. Really, I just wanted to take the girls to American Girl and go home.

        I skated onto the ice and saw Jon. His eyes were red from crying, and he looked like hell. I skated up to him and gave him a giant hug.

        "Jon, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for things to go down that way."

        "Hey, it's okay. I'm not upset with you. It's just been a really rough day. Thanks for saying something though."

        "Alright. Just leave it all on the ice. Game time!" I shook him playfully and he smiled before skating off.

        I turned around just in time to see Kris skate onto the ice. He looked like he had been hit by a train. Tears began to sting my eyes as he tried to line up for a faceoff but couldn't get down far enough. I could tell he had a broken rib.

        "Versteeg!!" Joel yelled, "I don't know what happened to you, but you need to go home and rest up before tomorrow. That's an order! Kelsey, help him off."

        We skated off the ice. Kris stopped me at the locker room door, and I got a good look at his face. It was bruised and swollen twice the normal size. Tears started streaming down my face and I felt like this was all my fault.

        "I'm sorry," Kris said, lifting his hand to my face and wiping a tear away before disappearing into the locker room.

        The rest of practice went by smoothly, but no matter what I tried, I couldn't get Kris out of my head. For a moment, I felt like it was the old him wiping that tear off my face. I had to forget about it, though. He basically attacked me in my office. I kept telling myself that he deserved everything he got and more.

        The girls and I had a wonderful time at American Girl. Maddy and Sadie both got dolls and some new accessories for them. I could just spoil them for days. They were the most well behaved kids I had ever seen in my life. It was amazing to have a stress free moment for a change. Now, it was time for the hard part of my day: talking to Brianna. Brandon and I made plans after practice. He would let me up and take Evelyn to get ice cream while Bri and I worked out our problems. I parked my car across the street and called Brandon. He let me up, and Brianna saw me immediately.

        "Brandon, why the hell is she here?" Bri said as soon as she realized who had just walked in the door.

        "You guys need to work this out. Besides, you need to hear Kelsey's side of the story. She did have a reason for the fight today. Just please hear her out, baby. I'm gonna take Evelyn for ice cream while you two talk this out. I love you." He kissed Brianna and put Evelyn on his shoulders before leaving.

        Bri made us tea and we sat on the couch. "So...." she said.

        "Look, I just want you to know I didn't mean to make you feel like you were attacked this morning. I just want you to know that after hearing everything, I support your decision 100%. I wish you would have told me before. I could have helped you, Bri. I know I never told you this, but," I took a deep breath, "Kris hit me before we broke up. He pretty much attacked me in my office last night. Patrick came in and beat him up. I guess all I'm trying to say here is that I feel like you've been slowly cutting me out of your life, and I just want us to be able to talk the way we used to. I'm sorry for everything that happened this morning."

        "I'm sorry too, Kelso. I've been wrapped up in everything with Jon lately, and I'm sorry for making you feel like I'm cutting you out. We both need to communicate with each other better."

        "God, we sound like an old married couple in counseling," I said, laughing.

*Patrick's POV*

        I opened the door and the girls ran in front of me, dolls and all.

        "What is this?" Abby said. "I told you we were not getting her a new doll!"

        "I didn't buy it for her," I said, smirking.

        "Maddy, who bought you that doll?"

        "Kelsey did!!!" Maddy grinned. I knew by the glare Abby gave me that this would be a long night.