Chapter 30 Just a kid

Things didn't get better between Casey and me. Over the past few days, she made sure just to prove a point, she hasn't given me a single chance to play or even think about out-shining her. Hell, I even started to realize what Jonah felt like. The grass hasn't been a close friend of mine ever.

There was a moment where I asked myself; what the hell am I doing? But then, I looked over at the bleachers and I could only imagine my mother sitting between all the other moms. A smile on her face and a thumbs up. It got me back on my feet and made me try even harder.

Brandon has been my companion to every practice, he was patient and watched me make a fool of myself but he stayed and didn't say a word. He was just there, supporting me and it helped. I was turning into a complete puddle of mush.

"You ready for Saturday's game?" He asked on our way over to his car. "If I survive it." I answered pulling up my shirt to see where Casey got me with her elbow. "I haven't seen a girl with abs like yours." Brandon said making my drop my shirt. "And I haven't seen a guy with abs like yours." Brandon chuckled, but he liked the compliment I could tell.

"I'm serious Adams."

"So, was I." He shook his head and opened the door for me to his car. "It's all that training with Jonah over the years." I told him when he too got into the car behind the steering wheel. "And jogging whenever I had to clear my head. Even when I felt like dying."

"How do you even keep up with your physic?" I questioned. "I too have my recent workouts." He answered with a smirk. "You're disgusting." He chuckled. "Dammit, Sasha. Not like that. I haven't had a girl in my bed since you." Okay, that just sounded wrong.

"I run the course with Joshua."

"Wait, did you just say Joshua?" Brandon nodded. "Remember when I told you that Joshua is competitive?" I nodded. "Well, running the course makes him feel like a man only up until I outrun him." I shook my head in disbelief. "And, I have my own little private gym in my parent's garage." Hmm, that was fair.

"Most boys our age would rather sit behind the T. V all day long." I said. "Yeah, well I got a rep to uphold." I rolled my eyes at his silliness. "Your brother practicing today?" He asked. "Yeah, I must probably go fetch him." I said stretching my legs out in front of me. "I can drop you off at the ice rink, as I too am heading over because Jake's little brother is also practicing today."

"I need to get back on my board. I have been relying on you too much and I need to stay fit."

"I'll help you out today, but from tomorrow I will let you use your board, how does that sound?"

"Fair." Brandon pulled up to the ice rink. We entered the building and found them still practicing. Jake looked uncomfortable when his eyes met mine. I stayed behind at the barrier of the rink watching Jonah while Brandon went up to greet Jake. I frowned when I noticed that Jonah was holding back. Why was he doubting himself so much?

"Why are you holding back, Adams?" Brandon's words echoed in the back of my mind.

He was holding back because I was holding back. I got myself some skates and borrowed an ice hockey stick after their practice ended. I met up with Jonah in the middle of the ice. He looked confused. "We need to work on your confidence." I told him, blocking him from going to the barrier. "What? I just finished up."

"Yeah, and I saw what you did today."

"Do you want this or not?" I motioned towards the ice. "I do."

"Then why are you so afraid of being the best or even doubting yourself whenever you got possession of the puck?" His shoulders sagged. "Jonah, you need to stop being afraid."

"How?" He asked.

"Every pass you doubt yourself, afraid of getting hit. Stop being afraid. You need to be better as your opposing team. You got to be agile, fast, and keep focused on the puck, and always keep the puck close to your stick and where your puck goes, you go. No doubt."

I challenged him to a game where I demonstrated the play. I didn't hold back, I pushed every boundary just so I can get him to stop being afraid. " Receive, control, and shoot for a pass. Always trust your strike." He nodded. "Incorporate moves if you must, break the rules." Jonah was beaten after our run, but I finally got him to control his moves and keep possession of the puck.

"I think that you need to follow your own motivational speech." Brandon said coming over to help me over the barrier, I was halfway over when he placed his hands on my hips and helped me to my feet on the other side. My legs almost buckled, but he was there to steady me. "He will start playing without fear when you'll start to play without fear."

"Actions speak louder than words. I get it." I started to take off my skates. "Does he know that you've started playing again?" He asked picking up my skates and handing me my sneakers. "No, I haven't had the chance to tell him."

"I think that it would do him good."

I got up and motioned for Jonah that we were leaving. The car was a bit overcrowded but, it didn't seem to bother anyone. Jake sat at the back with his brother and mine. They kept him company while Brandon kept me company and helping me stay awake.

He pulled up in front of our house when Jonah suddenly jerked up. "Hey, dad is home early!" He pointed towards my dad's car standing in the driveway. Great. He didn't even wait for Jake to get out probably. He climbed over his lap. "Well, he seems eager." I muttered getting out. "See you around, Hills." I waved goodbye to Jake and his brother before shutting the door.

"Hey, little man wait up!" I yelled. "Would you slow down? I'm trying to tell you something." Jonah stopped at the top of the staircase. "What?"

"Can you keep a secret?" He looked frustrated. "Promise me." He sighed and rolled his eyes at me. "I promise."

"I started to play hockey again." His eyes widened. "I tried out for the team and I'm playing my first game tomorrow." I told him. "Are you serious?" He looked surprised. I nodded. "Can I come?" He asked.

"I don't want your mom and dad to know." He looked disappointed. "But, you will see me play one of these days." He smiled. "I can't wait to see you kick ass."

"Only if you promise me that you will start to kick some ass."

"This is our secret, yeah?" He nodded. I held out my fist, he pumped his fist against mine before tackling me in a hug. "I'm so happy that you are finally doing something that you love." I chuckled. "When have you started to become a man with so many words?" I asked.

"Since, finding out that you have a new man in your life." He's gotta stop doing that. "Where are you getting that idea from?" I asked following him up the stairs. "I'm a kid, Sasha. Not some blind mole."