Page 42 of Scoring Chances

“Show me,” I urge her. “I like to read.”

Her face pales and she shakes her head. “Absolutely not.”

I make a mental note to sneak a peek later when she’s not looking.

“Who wants s’mores?” Fergie announces.

Libby opens a bag with all the ingredients and the kids jump up ready to claim a stick for their marshmallows.

We eat s’more’s as the sun drops below the horizon behind us leaving the ocean dark and the fire roars even brighter. But Keelan is still nowhere in sight.

“I think Parker’s about to pass out,” Cassidy says, rocking the little boy. “Should we head to the beach house?”

I nod. “Yeah, let’s pack up.”

Izzy and Ryker are holding hands on the beach and talking. I call out to them,“Hey! You guys know where Lando went?”

“He’s at the bar down the street,” Ryker says. “I think he needs some time to himself.”

“Time to himself? This is supposed to be a team thing. No way. We’re going.”

Ryker looks at Izzy and she nods. “You guys should go find him. I don’t want him to be alone. I’ll keep Cassidy and the kids company.”

Four hockey players walk into a beach bar.

That should be the start of a joke. But it’s not. We’re getting worried for our team captain. He’s not answering any texts and silencing our calls.

“There he is!” Fergie says, pointing to the dark-haired man in the corner, downing a shot.

We all stroll up to him. Ignoring the looks from the rest of the bar’s patrons.

“Hey, man,” Ryker drops into the stool next to him.

Keelan turns to look at him.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite people,” Keelan smiles and hiccups.

“You… okay?” Zane says, cozying up on the empty stool next to him.

“Nope,” Keelan says with a smile. “I feel like absolute shit.”

The alcohol must be working on him. Because this is the first time he admits to feeling anything tonight.

“Well, you shouldn’t be feeling like shit all alone,” I say. “Four shots of whatever he’s having,” I say to the bartender. “And a shot of water for our non-drinker.” I motion to Ryker.

He nods and lines up the glasses, pouring out some Johnny Walker.

“Whiskey–the drink of sadness,” I say, looking at Keelan. He just shrugs.

The bartender slides the glasses over and I hand him my card. “Put everything he’s ordered on my tab.”

The bartender looks at me. “You sure?”

I nod.

“And make that seven shots,” Rina’s voice says behind me.

I turn to find her with Kesley and… Cassidy.