The Hot Hockey Player

Chapter 1 - Jude 🏒

"Jude, calm down dude !," my teammate Sacha shout, tired of me and probably just tired.

I kind of throw all my gear starting with my helmet and then my hockey stick — which probably cost a fortune and that I will definitely have to repay — before sitting on the bench in the locker room. We lost by one fucking point. One tiny point and this is my fault. I usually never miss a goal and I was fucking good during the first two periods but on the third, I don't know what's gotten into me and it was like someone else took control of my body. I couldn't play the way I wanted, I couldn't see the game the way I usually do. Hell, I couldn't even hold the damn hockey stick like a normal hockey player.

Nobody's saying anything but I can feel the tension and the questioning. Especially the questioning. I can see over coach's head a big question mark. He must wonder "what the hell happened to Miller ? He played that third period like a three years old". Well, he might not exactly be thinking that. It might be a bit more crude.

Anyway, I sit there and no one is talking. Even John Williams, the most talkative guy in this room, isn't. Which was weird and understandable at the same time. Because even if we lost, he always has something to say, just to lighten up the mood but today, he is not. I don't even look at him and yet I can feel his eyes on me, not judging but wondering.

I am one of the oldest but can't dare look up to see the disappointment in his eyes. I don't even took the olive branch he offers and he knows it. He just sigh and go to the shower, the others following quietly.

I undress and step in the shower with a lot of buttocks facing me. I laugh quietly, earning a finger from my best friend, Colin Rodriguez and a few laughs here and there. Just like that, the mood lightened up just a bit and soon, we were ready to go home.

° ° °

We are at the airport. The flight was scheduled just after the game, because the coach wanted us to go back home quickly to begin the last block of trainings before the hypothetical final. The flight being just above two hours, we should arrive early in the morning and have a light training in the evening. Probably an easy run just to cool the legs.

So basically, we will have our flight, and our rest but no training tonight or just for the adventurous maybe. Because we were almost certain we'd be in final. It was our game. We led by three points at the end of the second period and just because the incapable I am couldn't play that third period correctly, we lost. I am not even blaming them for being mad at me.

I am so mad at myself, I can take their anger and I won't say anything. The coach still didn't say anything, except a few words here and there "Are you all here ?" ; "which direction again ?". "Okay." or "Hmm". He basically became a caveman in a few yours. Not that it changes from our daily life but still it is weird.

He booked a large room in the airport for us to get some rest because we have a few hours to wait before check-in. We all grab the sandwiches the staff got us and quietly eat. A few players are talking to each other but nothing too noisy. Not those big laughs. The hearts aren't there. Colin is at my side, on a chair. He lay down his sandwich on the white table. He then grab my shoulder and squeeze it twice. I almost feel some tears on the back, trying desperately to pass the barrier of my eyes but my hand on my face stop them all. I literally slap my face, earning this time some shocked stares, including the coach one. My eyes are a bit red and when I look up, they just land on his face. His gaze soften at my state and I know his eyes are trying to comfort me. He seems to be thinking something like : "don't worry bud, it's going to be okay. We'll come back better and we'll work on everything we need to to be perfect next season".

I try to smile to him and quickly go back to my phone. Headphones in my ear, I put the music on and eat my sandwich.

An hour later approximatively, Colin tap again my shoulder but this time, it is because the coach is about to say something. I stop the music and listen to him.

"This game sucked," he starts.

Don't I know it.

"But it is not the end of the world. And it is not the end of the season either," coach Reyes continues.

What is he talking about ? Of course the season is over. You don't have enough points to go to the playoffs, it's season over. It's been a while since we've been in first place within our conference. 2017 actually and this year, I really thought we were ready to move forward. But it looks like, we're going to sit in Tennessee the entire freaking summer. 

"Yeah, don't look at me with those big fucking eyes," Reyes shout

Sweet as always.

"You have 5 more games. Not in the NHL circuit yes nor the Stanley Cup, but those are games and you don't have a fucking say in it."

Against who ? Why ? Where ? Why did I never heard of this possibility to play when you're out ? The coach then explain what this is all about. Nothing "recognized" but a way for us to gain experience. I am 25 and so far, I can only count on my college experience. I was recruited by the team last year, along with my best friend Colin. And I know I need experiences ; the team knows it too. So when the coach tell us the news, I'm shocked yes, but also welcoming the prospect of playing against other teams and learn to play with my teammates in order to make one on the ice.

It seems like I'm not the only one to think that way, seeing how nobody's refusing the idea.

"Nice, you know what's good for you," coach add pleased. "You're a young team and yet you made it so far. You went against the odds and I couldn't be prouder but the truth is, you sucked today. You were completely out of it, all of you. Some more than the others." He says looking directly at me.

I feel myself blushing and I lower my head. I know it was partly my fault we lost today. Yeah, it fucking hurts.

"And you should have won this game, considering how well your season went. But, it is a second place and there is a room to improve. But remember this kids. Today you managed to get yourselves a second place and the second is the first to lose. And we don't want to lose, do we ?" 

A collective "No coach" resounds in the room and that is it. It seems like we'll be playing a few games against God knows who.

° ° °