The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room as Connor slowly stirred awake. As he blinked away the remnants of sleep, he felt a dull ache radiating from his jaw, a painful reminder of the injury that had sidelined him just days before. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to ignore the discomfort as he glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings.
It took a moment for the events of the previous night to come flooding back to him: the dinner with Sage, the laughter and conversation, the warmth of her smile as they had walked back to her apartment. He smiled to himself at the memory, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him as he remembered the ease and comfort of being with her.
But as he tried to sit up, the pain in his jaw intensified, causing him to wince in discomfort. He reached up to gingerly touch the tender area, his heart sinking as he realized that the injury was worse then when he had been clear. He knew that he should be reporting to practice with the team, but the idea of facing his coach and teammates with this level of pain was daunting.
Just then, his phone buzzed on the nightstand beside him, interrupting his thoughts. He reached for it with a sigh, his heart sinking as he saw the message from his coach."Morning, Connor. How are you feeling today?"
Connor hesitated for a moment, his thumb hovering over the keyboard as he debated how to respond. He knew that he should be honest with his coach about the pain he was experiencing, but the idea of admitting weakness was hard to swallow.
Finally, he typed out a response, his fingers moving slowly as he struggled to find the right words."Not great, Coach," he admitted reluctantly. "My jaw is really bothering me this morning. I'm not sure I'll be able to practice today."
He hit send and waited anxiously for his coach's response, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that this could have serious consequences for his position on the team, but he also knew that he couldn't push himself to play through the pain.
A few moments later, his phone buzzed again, signaling a new message from his coach. Connor's heart sank as he read the words on the screen."Understood, Connor. Your health comes first. Take the day off and focus on getting better. We'll reassess your condition tomorrow."
Connor let out a sigh of relief as he read the message, grateful that his coach was understanding of his situation. But at the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment that washed over him. He hated the idea of letting his teammates down, of being sidelined again while they continued to train and prepare for the upcoming games.
As he lay back against the pillows, he couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness creeping in. He missed being out on the ice with his teammates, the camaraderie and sense of belonging that came with being part of the team. And yet, he knew that he had to prioritize his health and well-being above all else.
Just then, the door to the bedroom opened, and Sage stepped inside, a concerned look on her face as she saw Connor lying on the bed.
"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft with worry.Connor forced a smile, trying to downplay the pain he was feeling. "Yeah, just a little sore," he replied, his voice strained. "But nothing I can't handle."
Sage didn't look convinced, but she didn't press him further. Instead, she crossed the room and sat down beside him on the bed, reaching out to gently stroke his hair.
"Listen, Connor," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "I know how much hockey means to you, but you need to take care of yourself. Your health is more important than any game or practice. And besides, you have plenty of time to get back out on the ice. Right now, you need to focus on resting and healing."
Connor sighed, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over him at Sage's words. He knew that she was right, that he needed to prioritize his health above all else. And as he looked into her eyes, he felt a sense of peace settle over him, knowing that she would be there to support him every step of the way.
"Thanks, Sage," he said, his voice soft with emotion. "I don't know what I would do without you."
Sage smiled back at him, her eyes shining with affection. "You don't have to do anything alone, Connor," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
And as they sat together in the quiet room, the weight of Connor's worries lifted from his shoulders, replaced by a sense of calm and reassurance. He knew that he was exactly where he needed to be, surrounded by the love and support of the people who mattered most to him.
After the disappointing game, the locker room was heavy with silence, the air thick with the lingering sting of defeat. Connor sat alone on the bench, his head bowed and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He couldn't shake the feeling of frustration and disappointment that gnawed at him from the inside out, knowing that he hadn't been able to help his team when they needed him the most. After his pain yesterday his coach had decided to bench Connor.
As he watched his teammates file out of the locker room, their heads hung low and their shoulders slumped with defeat, Connor couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt wash over him. He knew that he should have been out there on the ice with them, fighting alongside them until the very end. But instead, he had been sidelined by his injury, forced to watch helplessly from the sidelines as his team fell apart before his eyes.
Feeling a surge of anger and frustration welling up inside him, Connor rose to his feet and stormed out of the locker room, his jaw clenched with determination. He needed to get out of there, to clear his head and try to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to consume him.
He made his way through the empty corridors of the arena, the echoes of his footsteps the only sound in the stillness of the night. His mind raced with thoughts of what could have been, of the missed opportunities and lost chances that had led to their crushing defeat.
As he rounded a corner, he spotted Sage waiting for him, her eyes filled with concern as she approached him. He could see the worry etched on her face, the lines of tension that marred her brow, and he felt a pang of guilt twist in his chest at the sight of her.
"Hey, C," she said softly, her voice tentative. "Are you okay?"
Connor didn't respond right away, his jaw tight with tension as he struggled to find the words to express the storm of emotions raging inside him. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and strained.
"No, Sage," he admitted, his words heavy with regret. "I'm not okay. I should have been out there tonight, helping my team. But instead, I was stuck on the sidelines, watching as everything fell apart."
Sage reached out to place a comforting hand on his arm, her touch warm and reassuring. "It's not your fault, Connor," she said gently. "You did everything you could. Sometimes, things just don't go the way we want them to."
But Connor couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment that weighed heavily on his shoulders, the sense of failure that threatened to consume him from the inside out. He knew that Sage was trying to comfort him, to reassure him that everything would be okay, but he couldn't help but feel like he had let everyone down.
"I know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't make it any easier to accept. I just...I just wish things had turned out differently."
Sage nodded sympathetically, her eyes filled with understanding. She knew that there was nothing she could say to take away Connor's pain, but she hoped that her presence alone would offer him some measure of comfort in his time of need.
"I know, Connor," she said softly. "I know."
Break my soul in two looking for you
But you're right here
If I can't relate to you anymore
Then who am I related to?
Authors note:
Book 3 reveal:
Speak now || Nico Hischier
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