It's game day. The first of the season.
Yet here I am, my ass firmly planted on the bench instead of on the ice where it should be.
And we're losing.
We're playing against Sacred Heart University and should be winning by a mile but our lines are a mess no matter how Coach Rickards arranges it. If we lose this early in the season, we'll be the joke of the league.
"Put me in Coach." I demand, forcefully standing up from my seat.
"Sit your ass down Jennings." he replies, not even sparing me a glance.
"We're losing worse now than when half the team had the flu Sophomore year."
"Sit. Down."
"This is bullshit. You know we'd be winning if Seb and I were out there."
"Well then it's a shame you dipshits put us in this position isn't it?" Coach states aggressively, finally turning to me, "Losing today will not be on me Jennings. I wasn't the one who chose a personal vendetta over the team."
"You're the one stopping me from playing." I snapped back.
"Speak to me in that tone again and your skates won't ever touch this ice again. You made your bed Jennings, as did Garcia. It's not my problem that you chose to make it out of nails."
Seb pulls me back as Coach turns away and we both drop down on the bench, him leaning back and me putting my head in my hands.
Fuck.
Making it to frozen four is hard enough on its own but starting the season with a loss will make it that much more difficult to gel the team and get some of the freshman to stop holding their sticks like they're going to 3rd base with a girl for the first time - no fucking clue how to use their hands.
A loud knock on the screen behind me jolts me out my pity party. I turn around and am greeted with Sophia, Kate and Lexi, the last of whom looks far too proud of herself.
"Bad game?" she mouths, a smirk titling her lips.
There's no point in her yelling since I wouldn't be able to hear her over the constant screams of the crowd as the team makes another stupid mistake.
"It's lovely, super happy" I mouth back with a passive aggressive smile and thumbs ups.
"Sure." she replies and I swear I can hear her scoff even over the crowd.
"Why are you here?" I ask.
"I enjoy watching you lose." she replies.
Way to kick a man when he's down Lexi.
Much to my embarassment, it turns out Lexi has gotten pretty good at bowling over the last few years and to say she beat me would be an understatement. The girl couldn't miss if she tried and I only managed 3 strikes.
Consider my ego royally bruised.
I roll my eyes and turn back to face the team, catching the play just in time to see a Sophomore take a shot and hit the metal surround of the net instead of it going in.
Yup, we're doomed.
The knocking resumed again and I ignored it until it began to shake the partition wall.
"What?!" I demanded as I turned to face Lexi again.
She looked conflicted by my tone and her smug smile faltered.
"What happens if you lose?" she mouthed slowly to me.
"The season's fucked." I deadpanned back.
She chewed on her lip for a moment, watching the team on the ice. Was this guilt? Did she feel bad that I wasn't on the ice?
Should she even feel bad?
My actions landed me here. I fucked with her sport so she fucked with mine. It was as clear cut at that and now I'm dealin with the consequences.
My phone dinged from my pocket as Lexi held hers up to signal that it was from her. Guess there's only so far lipreading through the glass can get us.
I frown at her and shrug my shoulders. What the hell does that mean?
Lexi rolls her eyes and types another message to me. A message that's both enlightening and a kick up the ass.
But why's she trying to help me find a loophole in my punishment? Isn't this the part where she's supposed to gloat and revel in our loss?
She answers that question immediately.
Duh
Whether it was my doing or not she's not wrong that word will travel it was her who got us benched and the result won't be pretty.
The team skates over for the final intermission of the game as I jump up and get in Coach's space.
"Ask to play once more Jennings and I'll send you out of my rink with a hockey puck lodged in your ass since you don't seem to want to sit on it anyway."
"I don't want to play."
"No?" He asked, curiosity lacing his tone.
"No. But I want to Captain my team"
"I never said you couldn't Jennings. You're the one who's been moping for the first two periods."
"You couldn't have pointed that out?" I asked irritated.
"Why would I when Turner was here to do it for me?"
"Because I would've done something about it earlier." I grumbled.
"And miss out on getting your ass whipped into shape by your little frenemy? Oh no I'd never take away such a valuable character building exercise."
We make our way into the changing room and find the team looking spent as they wait for instruction, or rather vulgar verbal abuse from our Coach who is far too calm considering we're down 1-2.
But Coach gestures to the team with his clipboard, telling me the floor is mine.
"It's a shit show, plain and simple guys. Passes are sloppy, everyone's second guessing themselves and I've been no help to any of you."
Starting strong clearly.
I release a sigh, "We're not going to fix everything in the next 10 minutes before you have to get back our there but if you're going to go out there looking the way you do now you may as well not bother because we've already lost in your heads. We're going to work on the problems in practice but for now I need you all to get out your fucking heads and move on instinct. You see an opening, take the damn shot. You're open for a pass, call it the fuck out. You see the other team coming for first line, knock them on their asses. Be decisive and take action instead of holding back. It's better to be wrong and have actually tried than to walk off after this last period knowing you didn't give it your best."
I can see the team rallying slightly but I know fighting spirit won't be enough to pull a win out the bag this late into the game. We've got to take a risk and give them a fighting chance.
"Permission to change the lines Coach?"
He nods in response but I know if I mess this up it'll be my balls in a vice.
"First line going back out is Porter, Morris and Rodrigues."
Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy. Antonio Rodrigues and Hugo are normally first line with me but Hugo's been taking my spot at centre today and Rodrigues had been moved to the second line to try and give them the boost they're lacking. Sam's a defenceman who's normally on the third line with Seb to support us in ways only he knows how but first line isn't gelling with Hugo, Luca Stein, another junior, and Trent O'Donovan, a senior. Anthony is our goalie so he's out the question but Hugo and Sam work well together and Antonio is a Senior who's been drafted for the Boston Bruins after he finishes College. They're a bizarre combination as a front line and it leaves the second line a little vulnerable but they know each other's moves and I trust them to turn this around.
"Stein you're going to the 2nd line and O'Donovan you're going to 3rd. I don't want to hear that you don't like it or that anyone is uncomfortable with their position. Suck it up so we can get through this game and then focus on making the team worthy of being in this Division. Huddle up, hands in."
We all step forward and put our hands in the middle for the usual Bridewell Bisons team chant, "Bisons on three. 1, 2, 3-"
"BISONS!"
"Let's go guys! Send this team back to Connecticut with their Scared Heart's broken!"
The team roars in response pumping themselves up as a hand claps down on my shoulder, "Well done."
I turn to look at coach, taken aback by the pride on is face, "Why'd you give me free reign like that?"
"I had a Coach who was hard as nails when I was your age. He never let us share our opinions or take charge, even when I was Captain. I was his puppet. People aren't designed to be puppets Jennings. You have a voice, a damn good one which is why I made you Captain in the first place over Rodrigues. I'd be a fool not to let you use it."
"But if we lose-"
"If we lose then I'll staple your mouth shut so you can't give anymore ideas." he replies and I chuckle, "I'm smart enough to let you try Mason but I'm not stupid enough to let the team go down with you while you figure it out."
"Why do I feel like this isn't only about the line changes I just made?" I ask, cocking an eyebrow.
"Because that's exactly what it is. When your head's straight you're one of the best players I've ever coached. When you're distracted, you're a waste of talent. Do us both a favour and stop wasting it."
"If Coaching doesn't last than you'd make some great Ted Talks." I quip.
"Just because I have faith in you doesn't mean I won't still send you out to a firing squad of hockey pucks if you use snark like that with me son."
"Noted" I reply with a mock salute then still earns me a begrudged smirk from the old dog.
Lexi isn't sat with Sophia and Kate anymore and I'm surprised by the feeling of disappointment that washes over me knowing she left. It shouldn't bother me and yet here I am instinctively looking for her as I get back to the team bench.
Get her out your head. You have a game to win.
Right. My focus needs to be on the game, not my somewhat frenemy who bailed after she got her few minutes of relishing in my misery. Not that I'm blaming her - I'd have most likely done the same.
The last period starts with a bang. A very loud bang as Rodrigues does what he's famous for and ploughs a Sacred Heart player into the wall before he could even catch sight of the puck.
It allows Sam past without a hiccup and he dodges one of their defencemen, passing the puck to Hugo who's mercifully open thanks to O'Donovan blocking the Sacred Heart centre player. Hugo take the puck and takes a shot, perfectly hitting the upper right corner of the net as the goalie mistakenly moves to block the left.
The buzzer goes off and within two minutes of the 3rd period we're officially tied and in with a chance of winning again. The crowd roars as Seb jumps on my back, kissing my head in appreciation.
We might actually win this thing.
~~~~~
We won.
Rodrigues scored again with Hugo's assistance with 3 minutes left on the clock bringing the score to 3-2 and the arena became pandemonium.
The team pulled Seb and I into the huddle as soon as we entered the changing room to cheer with them. So many people ruffled my hair and slapped my back that it all became a little overwhelming.
Being a hockey player comes with a degree of physical blows. I've even found myself seeking them out sometimes just to be able to let of some steam by shoving them back.
Shocker the abused little boy doesn't always know how to channel his emotions.
The one thing I actively avoid is being in the middle of group huddles... and that's exactly where I've now ended up.
I'm fine so long as I have an escape. If there's a way out, I don't panic.
But right now I'm boxed in, surrounded by a dense circle of loud players who all want a piece of the Captain.
And I'm panicking.
I catch Sam's eye and shake my head at him, silently begging he catches on to my SOS message.
He frowns at first, caught up in the celebrations but quickly notices my clenched fists and stiff posture as I try to keep myself from losing it in front of the team.
Sam pushes towards me and wraps an arm around my shoulders, being lively as ever to make it seem as though we're still brothers in arms celebrating.
He jumps around with me until we've somehow pushed our way out of the circle.
"Take some time out. I've got it covered" he says close to my ear so I hear him over the noise and as I leave through the fire exit out the side of the rink I hear him making a spectacle of himself to cover for my absence.
How is it possible that I deserve a friend like Sam?
It's easy - I don't.
But I'm grateful for him nonetheless.
I rest my back against the wall of the rink, attempting to hide from the spectators crowding outside the front doors.
We won the game and I should be as happy as they all look yet here I am, head down, taking deep breaths, trying not to turn around and punch the wall in frustration because I can't enjoy moments like this like everyone else can.
"Mason?"
I lift my head and lock eyes with Lexi who's walking off the path that lead to the rink's front and towards me with a plastic bag in hand.
"Shouldn't you be in there stealing your team mates clothes while they shower and hiding them on the roof?" She jests.
"Is that what you think happens in the boys' locker room?" I reply with a snort.
"Oh no I think you compare dick size and rank girls based on bangability but I went for the PG version." She replies.
"Ah the typical man whore circle. This I am familiar with but it's not confined to the locker room" I respond, playing along.
"With house mates like yours of course it isn't" she chuckles, moving so she's leaning against the wall next to me. "Are you feeling calmer?"
Her question takes me by surprise.
She grins at me, "I know a brewing panic attack when I see one."
I slide down the wall and sit on the concrete, my knees raised and arms resting on top of them, "Am I that easy to read?"
Lexi sits down next to me and crosses her legs, "Probably not but I've had a lot of practice."
I smile and nod because depsite the twinge of sadness at how true that statement is, if anyone other than Sam was going to see through my facade, it's Lexi.
And I can't say I'm unhappy that it's her sat with me right now.
"Where did you go? You weren't there for the last period"
"You noticed?" She asked, sounding shocked I picked up on it.
"Of course I noticed" I reply without hestitating or thinking about what it sounds like.
Backtrack. Backtrack you idiot.
"I mean I thought you'd stick around till the end in the hopes we'd crash and burn."
Something akin to sadness crosses over her face but it's gone before I have time to figure it out.
"Well after the golden piece of advice I gave you I figured you'd be celebrating instead of moping so I went to get a peace offering."
"A peace offering?" I query.
"Yup. You messed with my skates and it was a dick move but I have new ones now and it didn't impact a competition. Your team was stuggling and losing this game could have derailed the season for you. How do we move on if you're holding that against me?"
"I put myself in that position. You just nudged me over the edge I was dancing on."
"Ironic since you can't dance." She laughs.
"I'll have you know I can dance actually."
"Oh yeah? Well then what do you call standing on Mary Stewart's feet so often at our Valentines Disco in 6th grade so often her toes were numb for two days?"
"I've improved!" I defend, "You can put that on your list of re-learned facts."
"I'll believe it when I see it" she predictibly quips back.
"You have to dance with me at our next party then." I respond, a smug smirk on my face.
"Hell no. I can observe your dancing just fine from the sidelines."
"Oh no, you're the disbeliever. You must experience it first hand so you can stop spreading filthy lies about my dance skills."
"And what do I get in return?" She asks.
"Why does it have to be a bargain?" I ask.
"Isn't everything with us a give and take? We keep the peace with mutually beneficial deals."
"Fine. You get the pleasure of dancing with me."
"Yeah no, I don't agree to those terms."
"Well then what do you want?"
Lexi thinks it over before speaking up, "I want you to explain your tattoos."
"Why would you want that?"
She shrugs, "They look random on your arms but I know at least a few have to have meaning. I'm curious. Plus I'm still trying to convince myself you have a soul so hearing their stories would help your case."
No one ever really pays attention to my tats. I've got a fair few randomly placed on my arms and legs but there's some on my chest and back that have a little more significance. If she wants to see them then I don't have a problem with it. She could've asked for a lot worse in exchange for a dance.
"Ok sure."
"Shake on it." She says, repeating our pattern of setting deals.
We shake hands as instructed and then she turns to her bag, pulling out a tub and a bag of spoons.
She drops it down in my lap and smiles gleefully as I read its label.
"This is the peace offering?" I chuckle.
"Think of it as an appropriate way to close this messy chapter. It's not melted this time so we shouldn't have any problems."
I take the spoon she's extended to me and pull the lid off the tub as she grins proudly at the set up.
Lexi holds up her spoon in a toast, "To our truce and the hockey team's win with my help."
"Here here." I reply, submitting and tapping her spoon with mine because she gave me exactly the wake up call I needed today.
So we sit there, trading sarcasm and new facts about ourselves as we dig in to the tub of strawberry ice cream.
~~~~~
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I don't have anything to say here right now so I just hope you enjoyed x
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net