I said it jokingly, but I can say that my comment puts them both at ease. I have a real knack for being a party pooper. Sloane stands up and rests her shoulder on my chest to appear on the screen again.
Beau clears his throat.
Some minor burns. -He points to his legs-. It may need a few months. Then I can take you.
I notice the IV disappearing into the top of his hand.
-What’s happening?
“I have to stay here for a while.” Then they can transfer me home. All you complainers will be happy to know that my days of moonlighting as James Bond are over.
Sloane nods. He doesn’t seem willing to reveal anything more, and I’m not one to push when someone wants to keep things secret, so I don’t. I return to our usual friendship.
“Yes, but Bond gets pussy.
Beau laughs and I smile when I hear it. Damn, what a joy to see and hear him laugh.
“Man, you’re making out with your cousin. Don’t even talk to me about that.
Sloane stands on tiptoe in front of me, like a fiery little dragon, all protective and all.
“Beau Eaton!” It doesn’t matter, Jasper. I’m going to kick your ass when I see you. Right after hugging you and telling you how much I love you.
Beau smiles, more naturally than I’ve seen on his face in this entire conversation, but I can see he’s getting tired.
“I’d like to see you try it, Sloaney. But I will accept the hug.
Harvey must realize that Beau is fading too, because he interrupts, “Okay, now we’re going to call Cade and Willa, so I’m going to intervene. Have fun, lovebirds. It was time they realized it. Jasper has been spying on you under the brim of that damn hat for years. So be careful. Know that Grandpa Harvey will love the baby, tail and all.
“Harvey!” Are…?
Beau laughs when Harvey interrupts me.
“We love you, hooligans! Bye bye.
And then the image cuts to a monotonous hiss.
When I look down, Sloane is laughing so hard that tears come to her eyes and she wipes them away with the back of her hand.
-Damn. Harvey is a beast.
“It doesn’t matter, Beau. “Harvey is dead,” I joke, knowing I’ll never follow through.
“Jas?”
-Yeah? I tilt my head and look at the woman who has turned to press her body against mine.
“Have you really been spying on me from under that cap?”
I shrug and press his head to my chest. In the same place as always: holding her to my heart and spraying my lips on her hair.
“I mean, Sunny… have you seen your ass?”
“You shouldn’t be here, Gervais. It hasn’t been two weeks. I’m going to pretend I haven’t seen you. Roman returns his attention to the papers in his hands as he tries to pass me through the back hallway of our facility.
-Well I do. And you need me, coach.
“Don’t tell me what I need, Jasper.” That’s not your job.
We’ve been on a losing streak. “As if I didn’t know.” He is the one who sits on the bench, watching everything that happens. For me, I haven’t been able to look. Too hard. Too maddening.
-Yep. He sounds the p , still not paying attention to me. And we also lost when you played.
“I need to play.” You need me to play…
The older man stops in front of me and interrupts me with a speculative gesture.
“No, I need the best version of you that has your head on straight. And you need these last few days of downtime to do it.
-Time-out? It’s me? A seven year old boy?
Roman shakes his head and looks back at the super interesting shit that must be on the paper in front of him.
“Sometimes it seems like you’re all just a bunch of seven-year-olds.
I almost laughed.
-They found him. Its alive.
Hearing that, the coach raises his head.
-Yeah?
-Yeah. -I can’t help the shy smile that twists my lips.
“Of course, Jasper. Roman smiles, crinkling the skin at the corners of his eyes. This is the best fucking news I’ve heard in years.
He pats me on the shoulder. Twice. And he gives me a big hug before separating, with a hand on each shoulder to look me in the eyes.
-I want to play.
He nods his head.
-Have you been training?
I doubt Roman would consider a boys-on-girls shinny match-plus a record amount of fucking-a workout, but exercise is exercise, so I say, “Yeah.”
He looks at me speculatively and I look like I’m not giving anything away. This is not the first time I have been untruthful with management.
My contract also prohibits me from riding a horse. However, that doesn’t stop me from getting up and helping brand the cattle each summer and working the cattle for the family reunion in the fall.
I’m not as good as Rhett or Cade-or Violet-but I’m still a country boy at heart. I can saddle a horse and herd a cow.
-OK. You will come to train for the next three days. Show me that you have regained your concentration and I will let you play.
“Yes, coach. I harden my features, trying not to give away that I really wanted to play tonight. Right now, if possible. I had put hockey out of my mind. I didn’t feel like I needed it, I didn’t miss it, because my brain was too full of grief and self-pity. But now? Now my fingers itch.
With a nod, I turn to head out the doors to where Sloane waits safely in my SUV.
“Hey, Gervais?”
Roman’s words make me turn just as I approach the metal push bar of the exit door.
-Yeah?
He points to his head.
-Where is your cap?
He blinked once, tying up his question. I raise my hand and run my palm through my hair to check. Wearing the team cap has been a part of my identity for most of my life.
-Don’t know. I guess I forgot to put it on.
The man nods at me and smiles before walking away.
That time I told him the truth. When we got ready, I didn’t even think about putting my hat on this morning.
I guess I didn’t feel like I needed it.