Baden (Pittsburgh Titans 1)

But he’s young—only twenty-five—brash, arrogant, and cocky. Not in an overly bad way. But he likes to have fun and doesn’t take anything off the ice very seriously. His Instagram account is filled with pictures of him partying with friends in the off-season and hooking up with beautiful women at all other times.

In other words, he’s not going to be a mature enough leader, despite the fact he’s the team’s best player. While he’s still a bright spot for the Titans to have, he’s not going to bring cohesiveness through wisdom.

Callum explains that very thing to Brienne, and he does so without any patronization but in a way that illuminates the dynamics. He’s teaching her, and I respect that. Last thing she needs is mansplaining.

I’m impressed that she doesn’t appear embarrassed by her lack of knowledge and takes some notes based on Callum’s explanation. “Then I approve us extending an offer to Gage Heyward,” she says.

A few more potentials are discussed, none of whom are goalies, so I don’t have much to offer.

Callum doesn’t bother with the folder before him but looks around the room. “Let’s talk about left wing… the proposal is for Stone Dumelin.”

“Is this a pity offer?” Keller asks, blunt and to the point.

Pity because Stone’s brother, Brooks, was on the plane. Younger than Stone by two years, Brooks also played left wing and had been dominating the ice for the Titans, becoming their number two scorer. Stone had been down in the minors for the last year and was struggling.

“I don’t believe Stone’s been given the opportunity to live up to his potential,” Callum replies, his tone unyielding. I can tell he’s already sold on this player and is going to fight for him.

Keller doesn’t say anything but rather opens a file and peruses a page inside, presumably Stone’s statistics. I don’t know anything about him, but I imagine being called up to take your dead brother’s place would be a bit overwhelming.

A debate ensues—not between the head coach and Callum but rather with the associate coach, Bill Perry, and Callum. Perry coached Stone in the minors and thinks he has too big a chip on his shoulder. I sit back and listen, watching to see how things will shake out among the pecking order.

Eventually, it’s Brienne who steps in and makes the call. “Give Stone Dumelin the offer and let’s see what he can do.”

And then it’s time to talk about goalies. I sent in my one and only recommendation to Brienne last night, and they start with him.

“Drake McGinn,” Callum says, pulling a folder. Keller grimaces, and the other coaches shoot pointed looks at one another as he rattles off stats, ending with the most important. “At the time he left the league, he had a 2.207 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.”

“All amazing stats,” Keller says in disdain, “but as you point out… at the time he left the league. He’s been gone a full year.”

Callum nods in understanding, but his tone says he’s not going to roll over on that alone. “Just like Heyward, he’s kept in shape and also still plays in a high-level rec league.”

“Let’s cut to the real problem,” Brienne says, and I can tell by those words that she’s with Keller on this. She doesn’t want him. “His reputation is less than desirable, and I don’t want that mess around my team. It’s a public relations nightmare.”

“Rumors,” I say, the first real meaningful comment I’ve made since we’ve started.

Brienne’s gaze slides my way and she blinks.

I press the advantage. “There’re nothing but rumors regarding Drake, and I can tell you, they’re false.”

I’m, of course, talking about tawdry allegations his ex-wife made against him last year while he was recuperating from knee surgery. Whatever was happening between them during their marriage, she went on the attack and used the media to do it. She claimed Drake had been betting on the very games he played in and had purposely thrown games to win bets.

When he finally recovered from the surgery, his team didn’t want him anymore, and he was released.

They said it was because he wasn’t any good after his injury, but everyone in the league knew it was because of his ex-wife’s allegations.

None of which were ever proven to be true.

Mere rumor and innuendo, which was wholly unfair to Drake. It ruined his career.

“You know this for sure?” Brienne asks. “Because we cannot afford to have someone like that on our team.”

“I know this for sure.” I know Drake well. We played together for the Buffalo Wolves, and he was—and is—a good friend. “His wife was trying to hurt him because he wanted a divorce. She was cheating and using drugs, all things he refused to engage about in a public debate. He aimed to get custody of their kids, so she came up with those false allegations. They were thoroughly investigated and dismissed.”