The Captain Who Ended My Brother's Career Is on My Table novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: Center Ice

We won Game 6 four to nothing, and Kasper cried in the stands when the horn sounded.

By eleven the building was empty again except for the rink lights and the long shine of fresh ice.

Sal was waiting at center ice.

He stood in his boots on the logo, with his hands in his jacket pockets, and he'd been there since the second period, I think.

Hugo skated out to him in jeans and a team sweater, his hair still wet from the shower.

I stood at the boards and watched.

Hugo stopped a few feet away.

They looked at each other for a long moment.

Then Hugo stopped, and went down on one knee on the ice.

"Sal," he said.

"Get up."

"No."

"You look stupid."

"I know."

He bent his shaved head.

"I hit you. I would do it again. I'd do it better. I would give back every year I've got left to undo what it cost you."

Sal didn't speak.

"I should have said it in the hospital. I should have said it to your mother. I was twenty-four, and a coward, and I let you hate me because it was easier than telling you your team threw you away."

His voice cracked.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't brave."

My brother stood there with his whole body stiff, and I saw his throat work.

Then he took one hand out of his pocket, stepped across the ice, and put it on top of Hugo's head.

He left it there.

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