Playing to Win

We might be teammates, but every week, Jordan and I would be in competition for the same spot. And from the look on her face, if I hadn’t already earned the title, I’d just become public enemy number one.

CHAPTER THREE

Jordan

Usually I didn’t wait for my dad after practice. I had my own car and he had things he needed to do before he could leave. I waited just outside his office door until he glanced up from his computer.

“Hey, pretty girl,” he rose from his desk and walked around it with his arms outstretched.

“You probably don’t want to hug me, Dad.”

He wrapped me in a familiar hug. “I’m not scared.”

I held him tight, basking in the security of his embrace. I needed it after today.

“What’s the matter, kiddo?” he asked, planting a kiss on the top of my head before pulling back to search my eyes.

I shrugged, wishing I knew the answer myself.

Dad frowned, placing his hands on my shoulders. “You worried about something? Did something happen at school today?”

I shook my head.

“You’re worried about the team?” His expression hardened. “Did anyone give you a hard time today? The new guy? I saw the two of you talking.”

“No, Dad. Nothing like that.” Asher kind of was the problem, but not in the way my dad thought.

“Then, what?”

I bit my lip, glancing down. But Dad wasn’t having it, chucking my chin until my eyes met his.

I shrugged again. “I just-” How could I explain how I felt, how much I wanted this? Playing hockey had been my dream all my life. I knew he understood, but- “Asher. He’s left handed.” He already knew, of course.

“Ahhh.” Dad’s eyes narrowed. He took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest, visibly changing roles from ‘Dad’ to ‘coach’. For a long moment, he studied me with an expression I recognized. He wouldn’t tell me what I wanted to hear, he’d tell me the truth whether I was ready or not.

“I told you when you asked me to help you talk to the commission, I couldn’t give you any special favors, Jordan. You’d have to earn your spot on my team, same as everybody else. I make the decision before every game about who will put us in the best position to win and they start in games. But that doesn’t mean anyone will ride the bench all season. You know as well as I do this is a demanding sport. I need my bench to be just as strong as my starting lineup.”

I nodded, because I did know. “But, Dad-” I swallowed hard against the emotions clogging my throat. “Dad, if I don’t start, what are my real chances of getting noticed by anyone? I want to play at the next level. I don’t want to be done when I’m too old to play in the junior league.”

Dad reached a hand up to the back of his neck and sighed. “I know, sweetheart, and I think you made the best decision to get you there by coming to play for me. But, Jordan, I have nineteen guys on this team who deserve the same shot you have. Asher included. I can’t show you any special treatment even if I want to do just that. But what I can do is give you the best training and coaching I know.”

“I know. I just-” I sniffed, rubbing the back of my hand under my nose.

Colleges didn’t look at second string. They wanted the best. And the best started. Justin Painter, the only other left handed player on our team was a bruiser, perfect for left side defense, leaving left wing to me. Until Asher showed up. Now it would be a competition every week for the starting position. Dad would never put me in the defensive position, I didn’t have the build. But I had what it took as a winger, fast, tough, smart. I knew the game of hockey inside and out. You didn’t have to be left handed to play on the left side, but it provided a clear advantage, one I’d planned to exploit.

But now?

Now, I’d have to work doubly hard to earn my spot. I didn’t fear hard work, I’d put in the time, but would it be enough?

Dad took a deep breath. “Look, I know what you’re thinking, but you can’t worry about Asher or anyone else. All you can do is play your game, do your best, and I’ll be really honest, honey, if your best doesn’t cut it to start on my team, then you aren’t ready for what’s out there.”