Double Hockey Sticks

Chapter 5 - Martin

What in the world is going on? I have no idea what's gotten into James. Why would he just punch that guy? I couldn't see the situation very well, but maybe that guy threatened him? Didn't his last team put him through some publicity training? Had I misjudged my new team-mate? I have no idea, and now he's speeding.

"James. I know we had to be quick, but you're going really fast. Can you slow down?"

James glances over at me with a questioning look then looks at the speedometer. He slows down and takes a breath.

I catch my breath too. "Thank you. I don't want to have to reschedule, but I really don't want to die on the way there."

James chuckles darkly. "Then you really wouldn't be able to play hockey, would you?"

I let out a scoff.

I want to ask him more questions, but as soon as I calm down enough to even think of what to ask he pulls into the drop off area at the building.

"I'll be in the parking lot. Let me know when you're done and I'll be out front."

I wasn't expecting a ride home. "Isn't there a team meeting to discuss tactics for tomorrow's game?"

"Shit. Yeah. Are you going to that?" James looks at me.

I groan. "I've been advised to take the day off to focus on rest." I'm so frustrated and now I've lost my composure. "Any other freaking team in the NHL wouldn't let me sit this out. I have to stay in the mindset even if I can't play. What do they want me to do? Not think of hockey? I need to stay in the mindset." I notice my breath has started to speed up and my vision is getting blurry again. Why am I letting myself get so worked up in front of James? This is so annoying. I don't even let myself get this way in front of Stephen.

"Jesus Christ, man. I think you do need the night off."

That's it. In the heat of the moment I forgot, but now I remember what he said earlier: It's just hockey.

"Do you even fucking like hockey?" I blurt out. Who is this guy? How can one of the best players in the league be so nonchalant about our sport? I've seen him play. He's incredible. It doesn't make any sense.

He has a confusing look on his face and doesn't answer my question. "You're going to be late."

He's right and now I feel guilty for snapping at him. Maybe he's just come to terms with the fact that we're both towards the end of our careers. We're both 30 after all. I sigh. "Thanks for the ride. You don't have to wait around. I'll call a ride home."

I get out of the car, enter the building, and head towards the waiting room. I don't need to look at the map anymore. As soon as I get there the nurse is already calling my name. She hands me a pair of dark green scrubs to change into and runs through all of the normal questions to make sure I don't have any hidden metal in my body. Once I get into the small private locker I immediately start to change. Once my sweats are in the cubby I turn around and see the mirror on the opposite wall. The dark scrubs make me look pale, and my puffy red eyelids make my blue eyes look cold and shocking. I rub my face and sigh. There's a knock on the door.

"Mr. Martinelli? We are ready for you."