Abernathy
I’m 21 1/2
Woodward
Lil sus you’re bringing in the half there
No adult does that
Lawson
Don’t worry about them abs
You grow a better beard than woodsy ever has
Woodward
Antonov
He’s right
Woodward
Nover you ain’t even on this continent rn you can stfu
Tell me again how to say ‘fuck you’ in Russian
Evan was smiling as he lumbered out of the Uber and headed up to his condo.Despite their teasing, he’d really missed the guys.Sure, they kept in touch over the summer, but with everyone spread out across the world, there’d been little more than memes and pictures sent in the group chat for nearly two months.He felt fortunate that he’d ended up on a team he clicked so well with.
The air in his condo was a little stagnant, and the only things even remotely edible were ramen and ketchup, but it was great to be back.His space, the one he’d earned and carved out for himself.His city and his team, ready for another go at the Stanley Cup.For once, he agreed with his mom’s overly optimistic prediction: he had a good feeling about this season.
2
“Abs!Good to see you!”Lawson pulled him into a hug as soon as Evan entered the kitchen.Before he could say or do anything, there was a beer in his hand.Not only was Lawson a good captain, he was also a good host.
“Cheers,” Lawson said and clinked their IC Lights together.“How was your summer, kid?”
“I’m not a kid,” Evan said automatically.Pittsburgh had gotten shit from the media for having one of the oldest teams in the league a few years ago.That might’ve been why he and a few other younger players had gotten contracts this season as the team worked to add young blood to the lineup.But it still meant most of the Riveters were a decade older than him, and Evan definitely felt like a kid half the time.Hell, he’d had Lawson’s trading card in middle school.But he was a real NHL player and could actually see over several people’s heads: he wasn’t a kid anymore, even in this crowd.“It was good.Hung out at home for a bit.Played golf.”
Lawson made a face.He hated golf.“Cool.Hey, did you meet any of the new guys?”
Evan nodded.“I met a few of them last year at training camp.I know they’re pumped to be playing this pre-season?—”
“Huh?No, not the kids.”He nodded toward the backyard, where a bunch of the guys were laughing by the pool.A backyard pool in Pittsburgh.What a waste.“I meant the trades.”
Evan followed Lawson’s gaze.They’d lost a few players during the off-season to trades and retirement, but while Evan was aware of the roster changes, it was too early for his brain to have really adjusted to the changes.
“Not yet,” Evan said and then froze as he spotted him.Riley fucking Barczyk, in the flesh.
Barczyk was a pest throughout the league.Aside from his antics like slashing people’s sticks out of their hands at the face-off circle and allegedly licking someone during a scrum in front of the net, he had legendary fighting status.He might only be 5’9 (and from this distance and without the benefit of skates, Evan thought that might be generous), but he’d beaten just about every heavyweight in the league.And the bastard, annoying as he was, wasn’t some lowly enforcer: he could score.Maybe not top-line or anything, but he put up a solid 20 goals every season.Enough to make teams overlook his penalty minutes.
As of July 1st, he was a member of the Riveters.A solid pickup during free agency for sure.Reportedly very likable once you got to know him.The only problem was Evan didnotwant to know him or like him or have anything to do with him.
Riley Barczyk was a jerk.
“C’mon,” Lawson said.He’d grabbed Evan’s elbow and was leading him toward the back patio.“I’ll introduce you to them.Barzy does this great impression of Coach?—”
“I’ve gotta piss.”Evan spun out of Lawson’s grasp, nearly spilling both their drinks.“I’ll catch up in a few, ‘kay?”
