Christmas In The City (Imperfect Match 1.50)
“Yeah. There, too.”
He laughs and then kisses me.
7
Jamie
When I step out onto the ice on Saturday morning, my head is full of plans for the Niagara game. We’ve got an hour for morning skate, followed by another hour for watching film. Then I’ll have to let my guys take some time off for lunch, because the faceoff is at four.
But just as I skate my first few strides forward, every kid on the team lets out a shout and then rushes me. Four seconds later I’m swarmed by a pack of rowdy, laughing sixteen to twenty-one year olds. They actually hoist me into the air, all talking at once.
“Oh my God, that save on Wesley!”
“Fucking awesome!”
“Fire!”
“We were dying.”
“Just here to entertain you,” I chuckle, trying to get back onto my feet.
“Are you going to go pro?” my goalie wants to know. “That scout from Ottawa wants you more than me.”
This again? “I’m not going anywhere.” Not even to Barrie, apparently. It still stings that I didn’t get that job. And out of the corner of my eye I can see Bill Braddock watching me fro
m the top of the stands, where he’s sitting with the assistant coach and a couple of other guys.
The pressure is on, then. We have to win this one.
I clap my hands together. “Okay, guys. Party’s over. We’re going to beat Niagara in a few hours, but only if we can shut down their offense. Let’s do some D-drills before we watch film. Taylor—set up the cones for an odd man rush.”
“Okay, Coach.” He skates off.
Part of my job is to know which guys I can always count on to set the tone. Taylor is always open for business. “Trapatski! Stop wagging your jaw and set up for the rush. Let’s move.”
Bill and his crew stay in their seats, watching. It would be nice if the head coach or his assistant would get his butt down here and address his team, but I guess you can’t have everything.
I’m feeling feisty today. I really am.
“Line up, guys! Move!”
* * *
Everyone is sweaty by the time I’m done an hour later. Including me. “Hit the locker room!” I call after my whistle. “Video in thirty.”
I’m the last one off the ice. And now Braddock is waiting at the bench? “Got a second?” he says.
Not really, I almost snap at him. I’m not a stupid man, so I hold it back. But I still feel frosty toward him. It’s not a great way to feel toward your boss, but I guess I need a few more days to get over my disappointment.
“Sure,” I mutter. “But we’re watching video soon.”
“I know. But I got a few things to discuss with you beforehand. First of all, I never had so much fun in my life as I did watching that San Jose game.”
In spite of my grumpiness, a smile breaks out on my face. “It was fun.”
“I know the Ottawa team is trying to lure you away from here to back up their back-up goalie. We’re lucky you aren’t that interested.”
“You are lucky.” It just pops out as I sit down on the bench to unlace my skates.