𝔟𝔯𝔲𝔱𝔞𝔩 | 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗻

eight: "tonight"

"Twelve to one."

I looked around the locker room at my scowling teammates. The game had ended minutes ago and Julie and I were joined by Coach and the rest of the players. I felt almost guilty for getting ejected from the game and leaving them all to get pummeled alone. But at this point, I had cried all my tears. I was numb.

"You know what word comes to mind when you think of that? Hmm?" Coach raised his eyebrows and scanned the room angrily. "Pathetic! You guys were brought here to play hockey."

"What about you?"

"What about me Jesse?" Coach asked the boy sitting in front of him. I hoped Jesse was about to let him have it. Nothing about the way Coach was acting was fair.

But instead, Julie spoke up from next to me. "Coach Stansson knew everything about us. They were ready for us."

"And you spend your time driving around in convertibles talking to those sponsor fools." I watched as Luis shook his head at Coach and wiped the sweat from his forehead. If I wasn't so mad I probably would've been distracted by how beautiful he looked.

"Or hanging with the Iceland lady," Fulton spoke up from his spot leaning on the wall. "We saw you two Saturday night."

Dean must've come in again without me noticing. "Eating ice cream with the enemy, huh Coach?"

This made everyone visibly upset as we all shouted at Coach to explain.

He didn't seem to have any way to get out of this one though. "Hey, what I do is none of your business. Is that clear?"

I rolled my eyes and picked up my skates from their spot on the ground. A few others started to remove their padding, clearly over this conversation.

Coach stopped us. "Don't take those pads off. Everyone stay in your gear. We have practice."

I stared at him wide-eyed. "Tonight?"

"Yes Callahan, tonight."

_

Coach kept us skating for nearly 2 hours after that. It had been mostly sprints and drills without the puck. When we were finally let go, I could barely feel my legs. I couldn't imagine how my teammates who had played the whole game felt.

"Callahan." I looked up to see Coach motioning me over to him. I gave Julie and Connie a nervous look and they both tightly smiled at me. I walked over to stand in front of Coach and he waited a moment for everyone to exit the rink.

"So Bexley, what's it going to take for you to stop making a fool out of yourself and this team?"

I was taken aback by his sudden harshness. "What?"

"You're supposed to be one of the best hockey players in the country. But from what I've seen, you're far from it. That stunt you pulled today? I should have you off the team for that." Coach shook his head at me.

"That's not fair, you saw what he did to me!" I knew I couldn't really explain myself but I was fuming. He had no reason to lecture me and not Dean and Julie too.

"I don't care what he did. You better start working your hardest if you want to resolidify your place on Team USA." Coach stared at me for a moment and I just glared back. I couldn't even believe we were having this conversation. "I'm just saying all of this because I want you to be your best Bexley."

"Whatever you say, Coach." I made sure to enunciate the coach term in a mocking tone. Who did this guy think he was? Before I could get a response, I picked up my stick and helmet and made a beeline towards the locker room.

I slammed the door behind me and a startled Charlie and Adam looked over at me. They were sitting on a bench, wrapping Adam's wrist in a bandage.

"Woah Adam, what happened?"

"It's nothing, I swear. Please don't tell Coach." Adam begged as Charlie finished securing the wrap and dropped Adam's arm.

"Trust me, I won't." I sat down across from them in a huff and began untying my skates. "I'm never talking to that man again if I can help it."

"Oh yeah, what'd he want to see you about?" Charlie looked over at me.

"He just wanted to lecture me about the "stunt" I pulled today and how I'm an embarrassment to myself and the team." I dropped my air quotes and sighed. "I don't know, maybe he's right. I'm not playing anything like how I used to."

"I'm sorry Bexley." Adam looked at me sympathetically. "If it's worth anything, I think you're damn good player. Second best to me of course."

I let out a laugh and shook my head. "Thanks Banks."

"Adam's right Bex, you're great. I don't know what's up with Coach, but I promise he's not usually like this. I'm sure he regrets what he said." Charlie added.

I zipped up my sweatshirt and closed my locker door. "Maybe. I'm just ready to go to sleep. You guys?"

"Absolutely."

The two boys stood up and we walked into the cool night together. The hotel was only a few blocks away but I was very grateful to have Charlie and Adam with me. Although I wasn't sure how much I trusted their abilities to fend off any attacker.

"So how long have you known Bombay Charlie? You guys seem pretty close." I balanced on the curb and made light conversation. I didn't know the boys very well but they seemed like cool people.

"Well 2 years ago he was assigned to coach our peewee team to avoid another DUI charge."

I put my hand up. "I'm gonna stop you right there. What? He coached peewee hockey after almost getting another DUI?"

"That's what I said!" Adam nodded and laughed.

"I know, I know, it doesn't sound the best. But he really turned around. We wouldn't be where we are today without the Minnesota Miracle Man." Charlie sighed. "I hope he comes to his senses soon and we can get him back."

"Agreed."

_

mini chapter :)