Scoring Position (Hockey Ever After #2)

by Ashlyn Kane

Whatever was going on with him was way beyond Ryan’s ability. But he could nudge him toward actual, professional help. And thanks to that time he’d had to sit through his dad giving a webinar on this topic, Ryan actually had a decent strategy for that. “Can I ask something?” Nico shrugged. “Why won’t you talk to the mental-skills coach?” Ryan hadn’t thought Nico could look any smaller, but he managed it. “I know I probably—but I can’t, like, do it.” He shot pleading eyes at Ryan. “That wasn’t actually a full sentence there, buddy. Are you saying you’re having trouble taking the step of making the appointment?” A nod. “Because you hate therapists?” Nico hesitated, then shook his head. God, this might take all night. “For a reason that I am probably never going to guess?” Nod. Ryan waited, but Nico said nothing. Oh well. Worth a shot. “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you make an appointment to talk to Barb.” Nico opened his mouth, then shut it and swallowed. Ryan took a deep breath and locked his gaze with Nico’s. “Look, you don’t think you’re the first hockey player this has ever happened to, do you? You’re working hard, but it’s not paying off. That’s making you miserable, and the more miserable you are, the worse you play. You’re one of the most gifted hockey players I’ve ever seen, and it is frankly painful to watch you struggle. But you can’t physically work on a problem that’s in your head. So if you want to get better…?” He waited. Nico’s ...